Small amount of blood in vomit during pregnancy

Bright red streaks may come from a small tear or irritated lining in the throat or food pipe after forceful vomiting. Dark, brown or coffee-ground material can represent blood that has remained in the stomach longer. Pregnancy-related nausea can make repeated retching more likely, but pregnancy does not make vomiting blood something to ignore.

Bleeding from the upper digestive tract can also occur with inflammation, an ulcer, medicines that irritate the stomach, or less common conditions. Oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer are possible medical causes, but this symptom alone does not identify cancer.

Stop eating solid food briefly if vomiting continues, take small sips of water only if you can keep them down, and avoid alcohol or medicines such as aspirin unless a clinician has prescribed them. Contact your maternity team, doctor or urgent medical service today and describe the colour and amount of blood, how often you vomited, and any abdominal pain.

Keep a note of your pregnancy stage, prescribed medicines, and whether you have dizziness, reduced urine, fever or black stools. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint.

Seek emergency help now for repeated or increasing bleeding, vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, faintness, confusion, severe weakness, fast breathing, severe abdominal or chest pain, black stools, or inability to keep fluids down. These signs can indicate significant bleeding or dehydration and need assessment without delay.

Ask what examination or blood tests are needed, whether dehydration needs treatment, which anti-sickness medicines are suitable in pregnancy, and whether any current medicine could be irritating your stomach or affecting bleeding.