Many pregnant women experience nose bleed. During pregnancy the blood vessels of nose, expands. The increase in blood pressure causes the rupture of the vessels. Twenty percent of pregnant women experience this. Nose bleeds, during pregnancy, can be stopped by making sure that the room is humidified. Staying away from any sort of irritants like smoke, trying to breathe through mouth, compressing with wet towel, applying ice-pack and many other ways.

If the bleeding remains heavy and consistent then you should call your doctor. If the nose bleed is happening due to some head injury then also you need medical attention.

Causes of Nose Bleed during Pregnancy

Nose bleed is fairly common, during pregnancy. In most cases they are harmless. Nose bleeds occur due to a series of events.

• Expansion of the blood vessels at the terminal end of the nose
• Increase in general blood pressure.
• Sometimes cold or previous history of sinus causes nosebleed.
• Infections
• Due to some allergies
• It happens when the membranes within the nose, dry out
• Exposed to environment with dry air
• A history of increased blood pressure

If you have a history of nose bleeding, in your past, then it might happen again during pregnancy. But according to doctors most of the cases are not vicious. That is why there is nothing to get alarmed.

However, there are ways by which nose bleeds can be stopped. Preventing nose bleeds at home is relatively easy. However, if things go out of hand then you must consult your doctor.

Stopping Nose Bleed During Pregnancy

There are many home remedies for treating nose bleed during pregnancy. Follow the simple instructions and check what solves your purpose:

• Grab a seat. Lean forward and position your head a tad bit higher than your heart.
• Pinch the tip of your nose to stop the bleeding.
• Breathe through your mouth. Block your nose for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Apply ice at the tip of your nose.
• A frozen bag of peas along with ice packs can be pressed against nose.

However, whatever you do, do not lie back or even tilt your head backwards. This might make the blood flow backwards and reach your mouth. If you swallow the blood then it might cause you nausea and vomiting. You might even inhale some blood, accidentally. Also do not try and lift heavy things. Do not blow or prick your nose. Avoid drinking any drinks which is piping hot. It might damage the vessels further.

If the bleeding fails to stop naturally within 10-15 minutes then apply some ice, then think of calling the doctor.

When to Call the Doctor?

Though nose bleeds are fairly harmless, there are times when things might go out of hands. In such cases you need to call the doctor. The following are the signals which might tempt you to call the doctor:

• If the bleeding does not stop for 30 minutes or more, even after applying adequate pressure.
• The flow of blood is extremely heavy, normally that you associate with a major cut or accident.
• Breathing trouble persists due to regular bleeding
• The nose bleed is triggered due to a head injury.
• The bleeding is making you nauseous and fatigued.
• The nose bleeding is accompanied by heavy pain in the chest.

Read More: 21 Reasons to Call the Doctor During Pregnancy

Under such circumstances it would be unwise to stay back at home. It is obvious sign that you need serious medical attention.

Prevention of Nose bleeding:

Prevention is always better than cure. So, instead of having to avail treatments later, you must follow the simple prevention methods to make sure that your nose does not bleed. The following are the simple instructions:

• You must drink a lot of fluid. This will keep the membrane of the mucus moist. Moist membrane will make sure that the nose does not bleed.
• If you need to sneeze then do it while keeping your mouth open. You have to get into a habit of this. This habit will stop you from putting extra pressure on your nose membrane. So, the chances of rupture and bleeding are less.
• You should keep your room humid. Use humidifier. This will help you keep the air moist. This is important during winter. Or in case you live in a drier climate. Do not tend to overheat your room.
• Avoid irritants in the smoke or smog. This might damage the membrane of your nose. Also since the vessels expand, the possibility of rupture increases if you rub your nose constantly.
• Keep your nose lubricated. Petroleum jellies might become handy. You can also use any water based lubricant. Nasal sprays can also prove to be useful. However, it would be wise to check the ingredients with the doctors. Some nasal sprays tend to dry out the membranes, even more. In such cases the risk of rupture increases.

Treatments of Nosebleeds:

If the bleeding becomes serious then you need to visit your doctor. The doctor will nasal tampons. He/she might even apply inflammable packs and nasal gauze to pack the nose up. The packing will be kept for a while.

You might even be admitted into the ENT ward of the clinic. The doctors will keep you under observation. If the situation is slightly serious the doctors might even cauterize of burn the blood vessels at the tip of the nose.

If the bleeding continues heavily then the doctors will seal the vessels with the use of silver nitrate applied at the end of the swab. This will cease the chances of further bleeding. In some, but very rare, cases surgery is even necessary.

The doctors might prescribe you some antiseptic cream.

Conclusion:

Even though, it is true that nosebleed can be a quite a problem during pregnancy, after the birth of your child it will tend to stop. Eventually everything will come back to normal.