Headaches complicating pregnancy and the postpartum period

Headaches are a common neurological complaint during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Most are primary and benign, but there are also several secondary headaches. This review uses a practical case-based approach to the evaluation and management of the most common headaches referred for neurological consultation: primary headaches such as migraine as well as the presentation and management of some of the secondary headaches complicating pregnancy and the puerperium. These include: idiopathic intracranial hypertension, eclampsia, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, cerebral venous thrombosis, pituitary apoplexy and postdural puncture headache.