Blood clot in nose during pregnancy

What causes nosebleeds in pregnancy, and tips to manage them | Your Pregnancy Matters

Pregnant women are more likely to get nosebleeds due to increased blood volume, which may cause vessels in the nose to rupture.

Pregnancy is full of quirky side effects – including nosebleeds. One in five patients get nosebleeds during pregnancy (epistaxis), compared with 6% of women who get them when not pregnant.

Over the course of pregnancy, your total blood volume doubles to support the growing baby. To accommodate this extra blood, the blood vessels in your body dilate. The pressure of the extra blood can sometimes cause the more fragile vessels to rupture and bleed more easily.

Your nose is rich in tiny blood vessels that can get dried out from normal breathing, which can lead to breakage and bleeding. For most pregnant patients, the occasional minor nosebleed is no cause for alarm. It’s mostly just annoying.

I've invited my colleague, Ashleigh Halderman, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat specialist from UT Southwestern's Otolaryngology Department, to talk about what causes nosebleeds during pregnancy, how women can prevent them, and how to stop them when they do occur.

Colds, medications, and unruly sinuses

Dr. Ashleigh Halderman

Even when you aren't pregnant, you're more likely to get a nosebleed with a cold, sinus infection, or allergies. But approximately 20% of women experience pregnancy rhinitis – inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose.

Pregnancy rhinitis causes congestion, postnasal drip, and runny nose. And when you're constantly blowing your nose, you're more susceptible to having a bloody nose.

Certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or clotting disorders can cause nosebleeds as well.

You may also get a nosebleed if the membranes in your nose dry out and crack due to cold weather, dry air, or intense air conditioning.

Pregnancy tumor: A rare cause of nosebleeds

Also known as a pyogenic granuloma, a pregnancy tumor is a noncancerous, rapidly growing mass of capillary blood vessels that bleeds easily. Research suggests the masses form due to the influx of hormones during pregnancy.

Approximately 5% of pregnant women develop pregnancy tumors, which typically form in the gums between the teeth but can also form in the nose. The masses can appear anywhere on the body and generally disappear after the baby is born.

Treatment usually consists of either a medicated gel or nasal spray, which helps control bleeding. Some women need to have the tumor removed if it is causing breathing problems or excessive nosebleeds. The exact procedure to remove the tumor depends on where the tumor is located. For pregnancy tumors of the nose, most can be removed endoscopically without any external incisions or stitches.

Related reading: 5 weird pregnancy symptoms you might not know about

How can I prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy?

While it’s not possible to prevent all nosebleeds, there are few things you can do to avoid irritating the sensitive blood vessels in your nose.

● Moisturize the inside of your nose: Use a bit of saline nasal gel to lubricate dry or irritated nasal passages.

● Use a humidifier: Because dry air increases the risk of nosebleeds, adding a little moisture to the air can do wonders.

● Drink plenty of fluids: This keeps your mucous membranes well hydrated and less likely to dry out and crack.

● Treat colds and allergies: Talk to your doctor about which over-the-counter medications may be best.

Be especially gentle after a nosebleed. Your nose needs to heal, so don’t blow it too hard or stuff tissues in the nostrils, which can prolong bleeding.

How to stop a nosebleed and when to see your doctor

If you do get a nosebleed during pregnancy (or any other time):

● Sit or stand up to keep your head higher than your heart

● Lean forward slightly to stop the blood from running down the back of your throat into your mouth

● Pinch both nostrils and maintain pressure for 10 to 15 minutes

● To help constrict the blood vessels and slow bleeding, you also can apply a cold pack or ice over the bridge of your nose or use a nasal spray such as Afrin before pinching the nostrils together

Call your health care provider if you experience more than a couple nosebleeds during pregnancy, or if:

● Bleeding doesn’t stop after 30 minutes

● Blood flow is heavy

● You have trouble breathing

● You become lightheaded or disoriented

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.

To visit with an Ob/Gyn, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.

Nosebleeds While Pregnant: Causes, Treatment, Prevention

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Noreen Iftikhar, MD on April 29, 2020

Just when you think you know all the quirks of pregnancy — you get a nosebleed. Is it related?

First off, yes. Especially if you’re not prone to nosebleeds normally, this new phenomenon is probably related to your pregnancy. And second off — don’t worry. This strange “side effect” is pretty common.

About 20 percent of people who are pregnant have nosebleeds. That’s 1 in 5!

While a nosebleed can be irritating and messy, it’s not normally a sign that anything’s wrong. Here’s why you’re getting nosebleeds when you’re pregnant and what to do about them.

Your body is already doing things you never thought possible before you got pregnant. This includes raising your blood volume by about 50 percent. All this new blood flow is necessary to keep you going and feed your growing little one.

The blood vessels in your body also widen to help move the extra blood. This includes the tiny, delicate vessels in your nose. More blood in your nose (and body) along with spiking hormone levels in pregnancy can sometimes lead to nosebleeds.

All of this happens in the first trimester of pregnancy, so you might have nosebleeds even before you’re showing. But you can get nosebleeds at any time during your pregnancy.

You might have a pregnancy nosebleed from one or both nostrils. It can last from a few seconds to almost 10 minutes. Your nosebleed may be just a spot to heavy bleeding. Or, you may have dried, crusty blood in your nose that you don’t notice until you blow it.

If you have a nosebleed while you’re lying down or asleep, you may not even realize it. You might feel something oozing down the back of your throat, though.

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and you get a nosebleed, let your doctor know.

Here’s what to do if you have a nosebleed while you’re pregnant (or even when you’re not):

Sit or stand up if you’re lying down.
Keep your head upright — this lowers the pressure inside the blood vessels to help slow the bleeding.
Don’t lean back or tilt your head back — it doesn’t help stop or slow the bleeding.
Gently pinch your nose just above the tip where it’s soft so that the two sides of your nose are touching each other.
Hold your nose like something stinks for about 10 minutes.
Spit or rinse out any blood in your mouth.
If you have a heavy nosebleed, you can learn forward a little to help stop the blood from running down the back of your throat and into your mouth.
Cool down the blood vessels in your nose by sucking on an ice cube or putting wrapped ice on the bony ridge of your nose.
You can also ice the back of your neck or forehead — whatever feels good!
After doing all the above for a good 10 minutes, let go of your nose and check to see if your nose has stopped bleeding.
If the nosebleed is still flowing, repeat all the above for another 10 minutes.

You might get a pregnancy nosebleed for no reason at all. But you can sometimes lower your risk of a nosebleed by keeping the pressure in your nose down — and by not irritating the sensitive blood vessels in your nose even more than they already are. Here’s how:

Keep the inside of your nose moist with a bit of petroleum jelly or aloe vera.
Avoid pinching or rubbing your nose or face.
Blow your nose gently if you’re stuffed up or have a runny nose.
Sneeze with your mouth open (not very attractive, but it’s OK in this case — just have a tissue handy to cover your mouth)
Avoid picking your nose (as if you ever do that).
Avoid air-conditioners and fans.
Keep the air in your home moist by using a humidifier.
Avoid intense workouts that include a lot of bending or jumping.

See your doctor if you think you’re losing a lot of blood during a nosebleed — for example, if your nose is bleeding for longer than 10 minutes or if you’re bleeding so much you are having trouble breathing.

You’ll also want to tell your doctor if you’re getting nosebleeds often, or if you have a history of high blood pressure.

In very rare cases, a nosebleed along with other symptoms might be a sign that you have a serious health condition. These serious symptoms are extremely rare. If you happen to have any of them, you’ll notice!

Nevertheless, see your doctor right away if you have a nosebleed and other symptoms, like:

blurred vision or spots
chronic or severe headaches
vomiting (that’s not morning sickness)
sudden swelling in your legs (edema)
chest pain
stomach pain
severe stomach bloating
fever
chills
sudden weight loss
yellowing of your eyes or skin
dark urine
light-colored bowel movements

Nosebleeds are more common when you’re pregnant than when you aren’t. They’re usually nothing to worry about.

Let your doctor know if you have a nosebleed that lasts longer than 10 minutes or is very heavy. See your doctor right away if you have other symptoms along with nosebleeds.

Last medically reviewed on April 29, 2020

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

DeLoughery TG. (2018). Von Willebrand disease in pregnancy. DOI:
10.1007/978-3-319-77140-3_9
Goncalves R, et al. (2017). A rare case of massive hepatosplenomegaly due to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in pregnancy. DOI:
10.7196/samj.2017. v107i5.12313
Nosebleeds during pregnancy. (n.d.).
pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/nosebleeds-during-pregnancy
Nosebleeds during pregnancy. (n.d.).
nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/nosebleeds-during-pregnancy
Nosebleeds in pregnancy. (n.d.).
nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/nosebleed-pregnant/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Nosebleeds.
mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nosebleeds/basics/causes/sym-20050914
Sanghavi M, et al. (2014). Cardiovascular physiology of pregnancy. DOI:
10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.009029

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Noreen Iftikhar, MD on April 29, 2020

Risk of thrombosis during pregnancy

Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a clot (thrombus) in the lumen of a vessel (in this case, deep veins located in the thickness of the muscles of the lower extremities), which causes a violation of blood circulation. The disease is manifested by arching pain, redness and swelling at the site of thrombosis. The disease can be asymptomatic or lead to a life-threatening complication - pulmonary embolism ¹ .

Women are less at risk of developing venous thrombosis, however, during pregnancy, the likelihood of its occurrence increases significantly. This is due to changes in hormonal levels, compression of the pelvic veins by an enlarged uterus, imbalance of the blood coagulation system, which can lead to pathological thrombosis in the veins ² .

From the first days of pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother undergoes serious changes: hormonal changes occur, hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12 levels may decrease, cholesterol, insulin, alkaline phosphatase levels increase, the volume of circulating blood changes (in this way the body adapts to the development of the fetus and subsequent childbirth), the circulatory system is rebuilt, and the organs begin to work “for two”.

Thrombotic complications are the main direct cause of maternal death during pregnancy and the postpartum period: 12.8% of all maternal deaths ^3.6 . Therefore, it is necessary to closely monitor the health of a woman during pregnancy.

Major risk factors for thrombosis in pregnant women

Congenital vessels of blood vessels and blood coagulation systems

The use of oral contraceptives and hormonal therapy

Oncological diseases

Varicose veins

Pressure of the veins of the pelvis

Chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system

Pregnancy and the postpartum period

years of more years

Sedentary lifestyle

Major risk factors for thrombosis in pregnant women

Main risk factors for thrombosis in pregnant women

Key symptoms of thrombosis ⁴

Almost always, the disease in the early stages is asymptomatic. However, some common signs of thrombosis can be identified:

How to protect yourself?

Avoid oral contraceptives and other drugs that affect blood clotting 6 months before the planned pregnancy to reduce the risk of blood clots. nine0005

During the planning and course of pregnancy, regularly consult a doctor, carefully following all his recommendations aimed at improving the health of mother and baby ⁴ .

Pregnancy doctor visit schedule ^3.5

Preparing for the visit ³

When planning a pregnancy, in addition to your doctor, you can also consult a hematologist or any other specialist who deals with the problem of thrombosis and hemostasis during pregnancy. It is worth remembering which of the tests you have taken in the last couple of months: this will help the doctor track the dynamics of your condition. nine0005

Laboratory study of the hemostasis system

To prevent thrombotic complications during pregnancy, in some cases, doctors may recommend that some pregnant patients undergo a laboratory study with an assessment of the blood coagulation system - Coagulogram with indicators of coagulation factors such as ^2-4 :

Fibrinogen - a blood coagulation factor, turns into fibrin, the latter subsequently forms a blood clot.
The number of platelets - cells directly involved in the process of blood coagulation. nine0082
Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) - the time it takes for a blood clot to form after adding special activators of this process to it.
INR (international normalized ratio) - used for a comprehensive assessment of the patient's circulatory system, shows how “liquid” the blood is.

Show your doctor a list of all the drugs you have taken regularly over the past two months. This information is very important! nine0005

It is necessary to find out in advance whether your relatives had any diseases associated with increased blood clotting and the formation of blood clots in the venous system, as well as diseases of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

If you track fitness activity, you can provide this data to your healthcare provider.

Tips for pregnant women

During pregnancy, in the absence of contraindications, if possible, it is worth maintaining a fairly active lifestyle. Small physical activities, such as swimming and long walks, will only help you and your unborn baby to be healthy. nine0005

As a diet, it is recommended to eat foods low in cholesterol, for example: bran, fish, vegetables, fruits, and animal fats should also be present in the food.

A thorough gynecological history is required: history of previous births, IVF procedures or abortions.
However, these data are almost always recorded in your outpatient records and are worthy of a separate clarification only if your medical data has somehow been lost

The most important thing is to regularly visit doctors and medical centers, take all the necessary tests, follow all the prescribed recommendations. Remember that serious complications can be prevented in the early stages.

By all means, you should give up all bad habits.

You can get a consultation from a specialized specialist

And you can get a specialized examination of the hemostasis system at the medical centers shown on the map

Find a clinic

Treatment of vein thrombosis in pregnant women in Kaliningrad — Nadezhda Medical Center

Pregnancy and the physiological process of labor are programmed episodes of a woman's life. From the time of conception to the end of lactation, many complex biochemical and physiological processes take place, which cannot but affect the venous system.

However, if initially, before pregnancy, there were pathological prerequisites in the human venous system, which were expressed in symptoms: edema, heaviness, fatigue in the calf muscles of the leg, night cramps, or there were obvious morphological causes: spider veins or visible veins, then during pregnancy, equivalent problems can arise. nine0005

The main and most serious complication before, during and after childbirth is vein thrombosis in the basin of the inferior vena cava (veins of the lower extremities, veins of the pelvis, inferior vena cava).

the presence of varicose veins with saphenous veins or pathology of the deep vein valvular apparatus, heart disease0082

Physiological prerequisites are changes in coagulation and hemostasis systems in a pregnant woman, compression of the pelvic veins by the fetal head and an increase in venous pressure, a natural decrease in the tone of the venous wall and physiological expansion of the veins.

Clinical manifestations of saphenous vein thrombosis (thrombophlebitis) in pregnant women are expressed in soreness and redness of the skin in the area of inflammation, the appearance of leg edema. With deep vein thrombosis, pain is more intense. There is always a pronounced swelling of the lower leg, possibly the thigh, movements in the limbs are limited. nine0005

It is well known that at the age of 20-40 years, the highest frequency of thromboembolic complications is observed in women, mainly after childbirth, miscarriages and when using contraceptives. Postpartum venous thrombosis in 90% of cases is observed on the 10-20th day after birth, and in approximately 1/4 of cases, thrombosis in puerperas begins with pulmonary embolism. Of course, such statistics are frightening.

It is possible to prevent thrombotic complications before, during and after childbirth only by being educated in this problem. There is no other way out! nine0146

Symptoms of thrombosis during pregnancy:

spider veins or larger veins on the legs

edema in the lower legs, heaviness and fatigue in the legs in the evening, convulsions occur

thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins in their2 relatives 901 excess 908 weight, hypertension, diseases of the heart or blood vessels

blood diseases

In our center, at the appointment with a phlebologist, you will have an ultrasound of the veins (color duplex scanning) in order to assess the condition of the superficial and deep venous system and talk in detail about the lifestyle, about compression stockings and about the safety of a pregnant woman with varicose veins. nine0005
The “gold standard” for prevention of thrombosis in pregnancy is the wearing of compression garments. Compression stockings or pantyhose work wonders. a varicose vein squeezed by a stocking will not allow a blood clot to form in it, which means that the risk of thrombophlebitis, inflammation and thrombotic occlusion of the superficial veins of the lower limb, sharply decreases. quality of life.”

Every woman during pregnancy is recommended to do special exercises to improve venous outflow, walk a lot. So in chronic venous insufficiency, it is recommended to take a walk for 40 minutes before going to bed.

It is undesirable to take a large amount of liquid, since, despite the physiological fluid retention in the body, its excess can lead to persistent edema of the limb. Fruits and vegetables contain biologically active stimulators of hemodilution (thinning, diluting the blood). nine0005
But the use of medicinal phlebotonics (drugs that affect the venous wall) is not desirable, despite the advertising propaganda of companies about the safety of some of them during pregnancy.
Learn more

Can unborn babies sense their father

Sterilize bottles boiling water

Open sores on the breast

What hormone causes contractions of the uterus during labor

How to play with your child at home

How to open child resistant bag

What are the signs of listeria

Symptoms that you are pregnant

Chloasma during pregnancy

What does it feel like when your cervix dilates

Stuffy nose during pregnancy first trimester