What should you know about traces of blood in vomit during pregnancy?

Repeated retching can irritate or tear small blood vessels in the throat or lower oesophagus. Blood may also come from a nosebleed, bleeding gums, reflux-related irritation, an ulcer, or another upper digestive problem. It may appear as a red streak, dark material, or coffee-ground-like vomit.

Oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer can present with vomiting blood, but pregnancy-related vomiting has many other possible explanations. A clinician will consider the amount and appearance of blood, abdominal pain, black stools, hydration, medicines, and how far along the pregnancy is.

Contact your maternity team, obstetric clinician, or urgent-care service promptly and describe what you saw. Tell them how often you have vomited, whether you can keep fluids down, whether urine is reduced or dark, and whether you have dizziness, pain, fever, or black stools. Mention all medicines and supplements, including anything taken for nausea.

Take small sips only if you can swallow comfortably and follow the clinician's advice about food and medicines. Do not start or stop treatment on your own during pregnancy. Keep a note or photograph of the vomit only if this can be done safely and privately.

Seek emergency help for repeated or increasing blood, coffee-ground vomit, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, severe abdominal or chest pain, black stools, trouble breathing, or inability to keep fluids down. These signs can accompany significant bleeding or dehydration and should not wait for a routine pregnancy appointment.

Could repeated pregnancy vomiting have irritated my throat or oesophagus? Do I need tests for bleeding or dehydration? Which nausea medicines are suitable for me? What should I do if I see blood again or cannot keep fluids down?