Nose bleeds in early pregnancy: what to know

Pregnancy can make the small blood vessels inside the nose more prone to bleeding. Dry air, heating, allergies, colds, nose picking and forceful blowing may irritate the lining. A nose bleed is different from vaginal bleeding, so note where the blood is coming from.

Most nose bleeds stop with first aid. A nose bleed does not by itself diagnose a pregnancy problem, but feeling faint, having significant blood loss or having other concerning symptoms changes the urgency.

Sit upright, lean slightly forward and breathe through your mouth. Pinch the soft part of your nose continuously for ten to fifteen minutes, without checking too early. Spitting out blood is safer than swallowing it. A cool compress over the nose may feel soothing.

After it stops, avoid blowing or picking your nose, strenuous activity and hot drinks for a while. Saline spray or a pregnancy-suitable humidifying measure may help dryness; ask a pharmacist or pregnancy clinician before using medicated nasal products.

Get urgent help if bleeding continues despite firm pressure, is heavy, follows a significant injury, causes faintness or breathing difficulty, or occurs with severe headache or unusual bruising. If you have abdominal pain, shoulder pain, dizziness or vaginal bleeding as well, seek urgent pregnancy assessment because Ectopic Pregnancy can cause serious symptoms.

Ask: Could any medicine or nasal spray be contributing? How should I manage dryness? When should repeated nose bleeds be investigated? Which products are suitable during pregnancy? What symptoms mean I should attend urgent care?