Headache following parturition

Abstract

The incidence of headache following childbirth in 226 Nigerian women is 24.3% ( n =55) or one in four births. Headache was more prevalent among women aged between 21 and 30 years ( n =44); those of social class 3-5 ( n =50); and also increased incidence with increasing parity, although these relationships did not reach significance. There is a highly significant association between the incidence of postparturition headache and evidence of stress ( P =0.004), but not with a history of migraine ( p =0.102). A highly significant association also exists between the incidence of postparturition headache and anaemia (Hb value less than 10 g/dl (68%), ( p =0.004). Headache started on the day of delivery in the majority of cases (36.4%; n =20) although the median number of days of onset after delivery was 2 days. Post-natal headache may be associated with some underlying sociomedical factors which may be influenced by the fall in pregnancy hormones following parturition.