Nosebleeds during pregnancy are normal and usually not a concern. Most nosebleeds are caused by an increase in blood volume and hormonal changes. You can treat a nosebleed at home by gently pinching your nostrils together. Talk to your healthcare provider if you get frequent or severe nosebleeds so they can rule out any complications.
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Being pregnant makes you more likely to get nosebleeds. This is because the blood vessels in your nose expand due to the pressure of all the new blood moving through your body. Your blood supply increases by as much as 50% when you’re pregnant.
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The blood vessels in your nose are incredibly delicate and break easily. Imagine a balloon being filled with water. At a certain point, that delicate latex balloon can’t expand anymore, and it will burst under the pressure. That is what happens to the blood vessels in your nose during pregnancy.
You may get a few or several nosebleeds during pregnancy, or you may never get one. The bleeding can range from a light flow that barely fills a tissue to a heavy flow that might feel scary. Pay attention to your symptoms and talk to your pregnancy care provider at your next prenatal appointment.
The medical term for nosebleeds is epistaxis. Nosebleeds are treatable and rarely cause pregnancy complications. They’re also fairly common during pregnancy. One study shows that nosebleeds may happen in up to 1 in 5 pregnancies.
The changes in your body that happen during pregnancy can cause a nosebleed. There are a few reasons this happens:
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Low iron levels typically aren’t a direct cause of nosebleeds during pregnancy. But if you have frequent or severe nosebleeds, they can cause low iron levels or anemia. Talk to your pregnancy care provider if you have symptoms of anemia and nosebleeds.
It’s possible that having preeclampsia can contribute to nosebleeds. This is because high blood pressure can weaken your blood vessels in your nose. If you have preeclampsia, contact your provider if you experience nosebleeds.
You can take the following steps to stop the flow of a nosebleed:
If the bleeding still won’t stop, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Sometimes, nosebleeds are unavoidable, despite your best efforts. But there are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting one:
If you’re prone to getting nosebleeds, it might help to do these things after a nosebleed:
It might feel scary to have nosebleeds during pregnancy, but it’s usually not a cause for worry. If the bleeding continues to a point where it’s unmanageable or you begin to feel dizzy, call your healthcare provider. They may want to rule out complications or health conditions. Otherwise, mention your nosebleeds at your next prenatal appointment.
Generally, nosebleeds aren’t an emergency. But you should contact your provider if any of the following apply to you:
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If you experience a few nosebleeds during pregnancy, it’s usually OK. Let your provider know at your next prenatal appointment that you’ve had nosebleeds. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a pregnancy complication.
Both symptoms are common during pregnancy. If you have the occasional nosebleed and headache at the same time, it’s usually not a reason to worry. But if you find yourself frequently experiencing both symptoms together, you should call your pregnancy care provider. You should also call them if head trauma is the cause of your headache.
As pregnancy comes with so many changes, an unexpected nosebleed might make you fearful, wondering if it’s a sign of something serious. But nosebleeds during pregnancy are common and usually harmless. You can usually stop the bleeding by gently pinching your nose closed for 10 minutes.
Call your pregnancy care provider if your bleeding is heavy and lasts longer than 30 minutes or if the bleeding is accompanied by dizziness or trouble breathing. You should also let them know about any nosebleeds at your next appointment.
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Last reviewed on 07/15/2025.
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