Blood clots in the nose during pregnancy

Dry air, nose blowing, rubbing and congestion can trigger bleeding from small surface vessels. A clot inside the nostril is different from a deep vein thrombosis, which forms in a deep vein and does not travel into the nose.

Blood naturally thickens at an injured vessel to slow bleeding. In the nose, it may look like a dark red jelly-like piece during a bleed or a brown crust once dry. Removing the crust can restart bleeding because it disturbs the vessel underneath.

Pregnancy can increase blood flow to the lining of the nose and make it feel blocked. Repeated nosebleeds may also be influenced by nasal infection, irritation, medicines or a bleeding problem, so mention them during antenatal care.

Sit upright, lean forward and pinch the soft part of your nose continuously while breathing through your mouth. Spit out blood that reaches your mouth rather than swallowing it. Do not tilt your head back, lie flat or repeatedly release the pressure to check.

After it stops, avoid picking the clot, forceful nose blowing and strenuous exertion for a while. Saline nasal spray and a humidifier may reduce dryness. Check any medicated spray or decongestant with a pharmacist or maternity clinician before use in pregnancy.

Seek urgent help if bleeding is heavy, does not stop despite firm continuous pressure, makes breathing difficult, follows an injury, or is accompanied by faintness, marked weakness or vomiting swallowed blood. Use emergency services for severe bleeding or collapse.

Contact your maternity or primary care team about frequent episodes, easy bruising, bleeding elsewhere, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or feeling generally unwell. Those associated symptoms need assessment rather than being attributed to a simple dry nose.

Tell your clinician how often the bleeds occur, whether one or both nostrils are involved, what starts them and which medicines or supplements you take. Ask which moisturising products are suitable, whether your blood pressure needs checking and whether repeated bleeding warrants a nasal examination or blood tests.