Vomiting a Little Blood While Pregnant: What to Know

Repeated vomiting can irritate or cause a small tear in the lining of the throat or upper digestive tract. Blood may look bright red or appear as streaks mixed with vomit. Blood can also come from the mouth or nose and be swallowed. Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting may contribute, but the blood itself is not something to diagnose at home.

Other illnesses can cause vomiting, including food poisoning or gastroenteritis. The amount, colour, number of episodes, abdominal pain, fever, and your ability to keep fluids down help a clinician decide how urgently you need assessment. You can read more about [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/) for general symptom information.

Stop eating for a short time if vomiting is continuing, then try small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink if you can swallow comfortably. Avoid alcohol and medicines that can irritate the stomach unless your clinician has prescribed them. Do not start an anti-sickness medicine or herbal remedy in pregnancy without checking that it is suitable.

Contact your maternity team, obstetric clinician, or urgent medical service today and describe the blood, vomiting, pregnancy stage, and any medicines you take. Keep a note of whether the blood was streaked, clotted, or mixed through the vomit.

Seek emergency help now if the bleeding is more than a few streaks, keeps happening, or looks like coffee grounds. Urgent assessment is also needed for faintness, confusion, fast breathing, severe weakness, black stools, severe chest or abdominal pain, or inability to keep fluids down.

During pregnancy, seek immediate advice for reduced urination, very dark urine, signs of dehydration, or any concern about your wellbeing or the pregnancy. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint; ask someone to stay with you while help is arranged.

Ask what may have caused the bleeding, whether you need an examination or blood tests, which fluids and anti-sickness treatments are appropriate in pregnancy, and which warning signs should bring you back for urgent care.