Nose Bleeds During Pregnancy?

Updated on August 29, 2007
D.A. asks from Seattle, WA
12 answers

Ive been getting nose bleeds lately, I thought maybe i Should call the doctor but my mother got them while she was pregnant too. In the baby books they dont say anything about nose bleed, does anyone know why these happen?

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K.B.

answers from Spokane on

Got them all the time with both pregnancies...totally normal. No need to call the Dr.
Congrats on the pregnancy!

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K.L.

answers from Spokane on

It happened to me too. If you notice that your nose is dry you can apply a small amt of vaseline in your nostrils. It may help. Dunno!

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L.L.

answers from Seattle on

I got them when I was pregnant too. I did read in a book or magazine article that it is normal during pregnancy (can't remember where I read it though). I got a simple saline nose spray and used it a couple times a day. That seemed to help...also made my nose less itchy from the dryness and nosebleeds. I had never had one in my entire life and had to have my husband (now ex-husband) show me how to make them stop bleeding (he has gotten them all his life). It will go away after your pregnancy I think. Mine were worst during my 2nd trimester if I remember correctly.

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C.J.

answers from Seattle on

I had the same issue with my last two pregnancies. The doctors told me it's just something that can happen while you are pregnant. Basically your nose can get drier than it usually is. So I can say from experience that you shouldn't worry too much, unless you are losing a significant amount of blood when it happens. I hope this helps.

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M.H.

answers from Seattle on

Hello D.,
I had nose bleeds when I was pregnant too. It's very common. Due to hormone increases your blood vessles dilate and make you prone to nose bleeds. Just squeeze the soft part of your nose firmly with head forward so you don't drain back into your throat (contrary to popular practice of throwing your head backward--it doesn't make the bleeding stops it just gags you).
It gets kind of scarry. I had one that bled for 15 min. and I was sitting on the floor hugging my toilet. I thought I was going to have to go to the ER. But it never hurts to talk to your OB/GYN about any concerns you have during pregnancy.
Best wishes.

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A.B.

answers from Seattle on

I too have had nose bleeds in my current pregnancy. Unless you are losing alot of blood you don't need to be too concerned.
Take care!

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E.J.

answers from Spokane on

I had them, and my baby book said it was because of the increased bloodflow in expecting mothers. I've had 3 children, and they happened with each one during my pregnancy.

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C.C.

answers from Tallahassee on

I am sorry you get them, but glad I wasn't the only one! I have tended to have them periodically, but with my son, they were awful! They wouldn't stop sometimes for hours...and I thought I was going to bleed to death! I would mention them to your doctor during your next check-up, but my OBGYN said they were a mix of several factors:

1. You are providing blood for more than yourself right now, so you have a LOT more blood flowing through you than normal.

2. Your circulatory system is revved up, so even your capillaries are going to be more dilated than normal, causing more blood to be near the surface of your skin.

3. Your nose has VERY thin skin inside, leaving the blood vessels extremely close to the surface, and any rub or dryness can break one easily, making the excess blood already in your system push out.

4. Such a condition can worsen with dry air...so you are lucky you live in the NW...I was in Kansas, during the winter, and the air could not have been drier.

I feel for you, believe me! I found relaxing with a cool cloth over my forehead and kind of wrapped around my nose helped a lot!

Good luck!

C.

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K.S.

answers from Seattle on

I got them during my last pregnancy. My OB told me that the blood volume during pregnancy increases dramatically and the nose usually dries out a bit, so it was common to have nose bleeds.

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N.B.

answers from Seattle on

I had sensitivity too. I've heard that if you are tired it makes it more common. But being pregnant, no books and professional opinions can pinpoint exactly. I would call the nurse,( although sometimes they will ask if you want to come in and it's totally up to you)if it happens longer than a week on a daily bases.
take care.

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M.A.

answers from Seattle on

I got some nosebleeds during my first pregnancy. They were due to dry nasal passages. I got bad allergies with that one. I never had any allergies until that pregnancy. I used plain saline spray, not medicated, and that helped. Good luck.

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