Whether you suffered from nosebleeds before pregnancy or not, nosebleeds during pregnancy are very common and are usually not a sign of trouble with the pregnancy in most cases.

 

Why Do Nosebleeds Happen During Pregnancy?

During the months when the female body is growing the unborn fetus, extra blood is needed to support nourishment to the baby and keep mom healthy. This increase blood must be moved through the body using the same blood vessels that normally carry a blood supply up to 50% more than the average female. The more blood in the vessels, the more apt these delicate vessels are to burst and cause a nosebleed.

Generally, the pregnancy nosebleed will not cause any harm to mother and baby. The increased blood supply may slow down the clotting process, but in time the nosebleed should stop on its own.

Stopping a Nosebleed During Pregnancy

The first thing mom should do when the nosebleed starts is to sit down and rest. The more activity mom does, the more the blood will flow due to the increased heart rate. Next, mom should place her thumb on one side of the nose and her bent finger on the other side of the nose. The fingers should be placed on the lower part of the nose where the tissue is soft. Pinch the nose and push the pinch in toward the face. Hold this pinch for at least ten minutes without lifting the pressure one time.

Preventing Nosebleeds During Pregnancy

If nosebleeds become a problem during pregnancy, there are some changes women can make to help prevent additional nosebleeds from occurring.

  • Increase fluid intake. The more fluids the pregnant woman takes in, the less dry the nostrils will become thus reducing the chance of nosebleeds during pregnancy.

  • Open your mouth to sneeze. Closing your mouth during a sneeze places all the pressure on the nose. This pressure can be enough to start a nosebleed.

  • Lubricate the nostrils. Using petroleum jelly to keep the inner skin of the nose from drying out is the best way to prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy. A water based jelly is the best choice.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Pregnancy Nosebleed

There are two instances when a nosebleed may mean something is wrong with mom.

  1. The first is a nosebleed that will not stop. If after 20 minutes the nose does not stop bleeding, there could be a problem with nose clotting. Mom should immediately report to the emergency room where the doctors may have to coagulate the blood vessels to stop the bleeding.

  2. The second instance involves a head injury. If mom has fallen or hit her head in any way and a nosebleed began after the head injury, seeking medical attention is essential. The nosebleed does not have to be strong or heavy. All blood coming from the nose after a head injury needs to be examined by a doctor.

Nosebleeds during pregnancy are usually no more harmful than the nosebleeds other men and women experience. Treating the nosebleed may be the biggest hassle and take the longest amount of time.