Nosebleeds While Pregnant

Why do I get nosebleeds during pregnancy?

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.

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. 

What can cause nose bleeding during pregnancy?

The changes in your body that happen during pregnancy can cause a nosebleed. There are a few reasons this happens:

• Increase in blood volume: When you become pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases dramatically. This increase in blood volume causes the delicate blood vessels in the lining of your nose to burst more easily under the pressure.
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes can cause a lot of symptoms in pregnancy. Your nose might be more congested or stuffy. The same hormones that thicken the lining of your uterus can impact the mucus membranes in your nose, making them more prone to bleeding.
• Dehydration: It’s easier to become dehydrated when you’re pregnant because you require more water. When you get dehydrated, the mucus membranes in your nose become dry and cracked. This could be a cause of nosebleeds during pregnancy.
• Allergies or colds: The blood vessels in your nose become easily irritated if you have seasonal allergies or a cold. This makes them prone to breaking open. A condition called pregnancy rhinitis causes congestion and stuffiness primarily in the first trimester. It can also contribute to nosebleeds.

Does low iron cause nosebleeds?

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.

Can preeclampsia cause 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.

How do I stop a nosebleed during pregnancy?

You can take the following steps to stop the flow of a nosebleed:

• Keep your head upright. Tilting your head backward or lying on your back increases the pressure in your blood vessels.
• Lightly squeeze your nostrils closed (the soft part just beneath the bridge of your nose). Do this for about 10 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, try again a few more times.
• If the flow is very heavy, you might need to lean forward so you don’t choke on blood.
• You can apply an ice pack or a cold bag of vegetables to help constrict the blood vessels.

If the bleeding still won’t stop, you should contact your healthcare provider.

What should I do to avoid getting a nosebleed?

Sometimes, nosebleeds are unavoidable, despite your best efforts. But there are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting one:

• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day.
• Use a humidifier to moisten the air when you sleep.
• Use a nasal gel, spray or water-based nasal lubricant to moisturize your nose.
• Keep your mouth open when you sneeze. This removes pressure from your nose.
• Avoid picking your nose.
• Blow your nose gently.

If you’re prone to getting nosebleeds, it might help to do these things after a nosebleed:

• Avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for the rest of the day.
• Try to minimize how often you blow your nose.
• Sit up straight or prop yourself up instead of lying down.

When should I worry about nosebleeds during pregnancy?

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.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Generally, nosebleeds aren’t an emergency. But you should contact your provider if any of the following apply to you:

• You have frequent nosebleeds
• The flow is very heavy
• You have blood in your throat or are throwing up blood
• The bleeding doesn’t stop after 30 minutes of applying pressure
• You have high blood pressure
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing
• You feel lightheaded or dizzy
• Your nose is bleeding after a head injury

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.

Are nosebleeds and headaches normal during pregnancy?

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.