Pregnancy is packed with side effects including nosebleeds. One in five pregnant women gets nosebleeds when they are pregnant (epistaxis), associated with 6% of women who get them when not pregnant.
Throughout pregnancy, your total blood amount increases to maintain the developing baby. To support the increased blood, the blood vessels in your body dilate. The force of the excess blood can sometimes cause the more delicate vessels to tear and bleed more quickly.
The nose is an organ that is rich in small blood vessels that can become dried out from regular breathing, which can begin to damage and bleeding. For most pregnant cases, the random minor nosebleed is no reason for warning.
Colds, medications and dangerous sinuses
Aside from pregnancy, you can get a nosebleed with a cold, sinus infection, or allergies. Approximately 20% of women experience pregnancy rhinitis that is pain and swelling of the mucous layers in the nose.
Pregnancy rhinitis produces congestion, postnasal drip, and runny nose. While blowing your nose, it will be more sensitive and have a bloody nose.
Some medical diseases such as high blood pressure or clotting complications can cause nosebleeds as well.
You may additionally get a nosebleed if the layers in your nose dry out and damage due to cold weather, dry air, or great air conditioning.
Pregnancy Tumor
It is also known as a pyogenic granuloma, although a pregnancy tumor is a noncancerous, fast-evolving mass of blood vessels that bleeds quickly. The study recommends the clots form due to the influx of hormones throughout pregnancy.
Nearly 5% of pregnant women begin pregnancy tumors, which typically grow in the teeth gums but can also develop in the nose. The masses can develop anyplace on the body and usually disappear after the baby is born.
Treatment normally consists of both a medicated gel or nasal spray, which assists manage the bleeding. Some women require to have the tumor removed if it is creating breathing difficulties or extreme nosebleeds. The specific method to remove the tumor depends on where the tumor is located. For pregnancy tumors of the nose, most can be eliminated endoscopically without any external surgeries or stitches.
How can I prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy?
While it’s not possible to check all nosebleeds, there are few things you can do to avoid hurting the delicate blood vessels in your nose.
- Moisturize the interior of your nose: Use a piece of saline nasal gel to lubricate dry or irritated nasal passages.
- Humidifier: Because dry air raises the chance of nosebleeds, combining a little moisture to the air can do miracles.
- Drink fluids: This keeps your mucous layers well hydrated and less dry.
- Treat your colds and allergies: Take a doctor to advice about which over-the-counter medications may be most beneficial.
How to stop a nosebleed?
It’s a simple question that hinders the minds of first-time expecting mothers.
If you do get a nosebleed during pregnancy:
- Sit or stand up to keep your head higher than your heart
- Lean forth lightly to prevent the blood from moving below the back of your throat into your mouth
- Pinch both nostrils and maintain pressure for 10 to 15 minutes
- To slow the bleeding apply a cold pack or ice over the bridge of your nose or use a nasal spray.
When to seek medical assitance?
Visit us Angleton ER if your experience nosebleeds during pregnancy and it
- Bleeding doesn’t end after 30 minutes
- Blood flow is heavy
- You have difficulty breathing
- You grow tired or confused
Pregnancy can cause strange things to happen to your body. While nosebleeds generally are nothing to be overly concerned about, talk to your doctor if you are worried. We’re always available to help you feel more comfortable during pregnancy.