The Masterpiece Mom

Home » Misc » Can nosebleed be a sign of pregnancy

Can nosebleed be a sign of pregnancy


Weird early pregnancy symptoms: Unusual signs

Taking a pregnancy test is the only way to be certain of pregnancy, but some early symptoms might suggest that a woman is pregnant.

During the first trimester of pregnancy, significant hormonal changes occur that can lead to symptoms. Some of these symptoms may appear even in the very first weeks of pregnancy.

In this article, we discuss some possible weird early pregnancy symptoms, as well as when to see a doctor.

Most people are aware of some of the most common early signs of pregnancy, such as vomiting, known as morning sickness, and a missed period. However, there are many other potential signs of pregnancy, and not everyone will experience them all.

Some weird early signs of pregnancy include:

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are quite common in pregnancy due to the hormonal changes that happen in the body. Nosebleeds are rarely serious, and they tend to be manageable at home.

Learn more about managing nosebleeds here.

Mood swings

Mood swings are a result of hormonal changes in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnant women may feel more emotional than they usually do. Heightened emotions are perfectly normal at this time, but they can often be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

Headaches

A pregnant woman may experience headaches due to the increased estrogen levels in the body. Stress or fatigue can also cause tension headaches.

Women should check with their healthcare provider before taking any medication while pregnant, including over-the-counter pain relievers.

Dizziness

Blood pressure can drop during early pregnancy because the blood vessels dilate to send more blood to the uterus. Reduced blood pressure can lead to dizziness, which may also occur due to fatigue, low blood sugar levels, and stress.

Eating small, regular meals and trying to keep stress under control can help.

Acne

Another early sign of pregnancy that many women experience is acne. Some women already have acne but notice that it gets worse during pregnancy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest the following for managing acne during pregnancy:

  • washing the face twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water
  • refraining from picking or squeezing acne sores to lessen possible scarring
  • choosing oil-free cosmetics
  • checking with a healthcare professional before using any products to ensure that they are safe to use during pregnancy

Learn more about managing acne here.

Stronger sense of smell

Another symptom of early pregnancy is a heightened sense of smell. This symptom may present as a reduced tolerance for certain smells, or a woman may simply become more sensitive to smell. In some cases, this sensitivity may contribute to nausea.

Strange taste in the mouth

Experts believe that hormonal changes can cause a condition called dysgeusia in some pregnant women. Some women complain of having a metallic taste in their mouth or too much saliva.

Although these symptoms may be bothersome and inconvenient, they are not a cause for concern.

Discharge

Most women experience vaginal discharge at various points throughout their menstrual cycle. Discharge that is clear, white, or sticky is normal during pregnancy and can be an early sign of pregnancy.

It is best to visit a healthcare provider if the discharge:

  • is not white or clear
  • smells bad
  • occurs alongside itching, pain, or soreness

Cravings and aversions

During early pregnancy, women may have a changing relationship with food. Foods that they once loved may suddenly taste repulsive, and they may now crave foods that they never liked previously.

Anyone who starts to crave nonfood items — a condition known as pica — should contact their healthcare provider.

Fatigue

Another common symptom of pregnancy is feeling very tired, or even exhausted, particularly in early pregnancy.

This fatigue is due to the many hormonal changes that take place in the body at this time.

Learn more about fatigue here.

Shortness of breath

The increase in the hormone progesterone that occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy can cause women to breathe more frequently than usual. As a result, they can feel as though they have shortness of breath.

Shortness of breath describes the feeling of being unable to get enough air into the lungs when breathing normally.

Congestion

Rhinitis is the official name for the runny nose that many women experience during pregnancy.

A humidifier, saline drops, or a saline rinse may help treat congestion.

Constipation

Hormonal changes may cause some women to become constipated during pregnancy. The elevated progesterone levels relax the bowel walls, which can make it harder to pass stool. This symptom is more common later in pregnancy, but it can affect some women in the first trimester.

Learn more about constipation in pregnancy here.

These symptoms are not a confirmation of pregnancy. Anyone who suspects that they may be pregnant should take a pregnancy test to confirm.

If pregnant women experience any of the above symptoms to the extent that it causes them distress, they should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

While some of the symptoms can be a mild inconvenience, others can occasionally be more severe and require medical attention.

There is some overlap between premenstrual symptoms, side effects from hormonal birth control, and early pregnancy symptoms. For instance, they can all include constipation, headaches, feeling tired, and having mood swings.

Therefore, although the above symptoms can occur in early pregnancy, their appearance does not definitively mean that a woman is pregnant. The only way to find out for sure is to take a pregnancy test.

Nosebleeds during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

Nosebleeds during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

3-minute read

Listen

Nosebleeds during pregnancy are fairly common. Although they can be alarming, in most cases there's no need to worry and you should be able to treat a bleeding nose yourself.

Why are nosebleeds common during pregnancy?

During your first trimester the amount of blood circulating in your body increases and your heart works harder. This means that the lining of your nasal passage (inside your nose) also receives more blood. You have tiny blood vessels inside your nose so the increased blood volume can sometimes damage those blood vessels and cause them to burst, resulting in a nosebleed.

Changes in your hormones during pregnancy can also contribute to nosebleeds.

These changes can make your nose feel congested (stuffy) and it might get more blocked up than usual. Your gums may also feel swollen and may bleed.

A nosebleed may last for a few seconds or a few minutes, and can flow from one or both nostrils. The blood flow can be light or quite heavy. If a nosebleed happens at night, while you’re sleeping, you may wake up feeling the blood going down the back of your throat before you sit up. It will then come out of your nose.

Are nosebleeds during pregnancy a cause for concern?

Nosebleeds can give you a fright or be a nuisance, but as long as you don’t lose a lot of blood, they are generally nothing to be worried about. In most cases, a nosebleed won’t harm you or your baby.

How do I stop a nosebleed if I have one?

  • Sitting or standing, keep your head upright. This reduces the pressure in the blood vessels inside your nose and will help to slow down the bleeding.
  • Pinch the soft part of your nose, underneath the bony ridge, between your thumb and forefinger. Once you have done this, the two sides of your nose should be pressed together.
  • Keep pinching, without releasing, for 10 minutes.
  • If your nose is bleeding a lot, you may want to lean slightly forward and breathe through your mouth so the blood runs out of your nose, rather than down the back of your throat.
  • Spit out any blood that is in your mouth.
  • You may also want to suck an ice cube or put an icepack on the back of your neck or forehead, or the bony part of your nose.
  • After 10 minutes, gently release your pinch to see if the bleeding has stopped.
  • If your nose is still bleeding, try this procedure again for another 10 minutes.

How can I avoid a nose bleed?

If you are blowing your nose, do so gently and try to avoid large sneezes. You should also avoid picking your nose. You could be more likely to get nosebleeds in winter months when the air is dryer, so you may like to use a dehumidifier in your home to moisten the air.

If you’ve recently had a nosebleed:

  • Sneeze with your mouth open.
  • Try to avoid bending down or vigorously exercising for at least 12 hours afterwards.
  • Avoid hitting your nose on anything.

When should I see a doctor?

Let your doctor know straight away if your nosebleed happens after bumping your head.

You should also contact your doctor if:

  • you have high blood pressure
  • you have taken the steps above and your nosebleed hasn’t stopped after 20 minutes
  • you have trouble breathing through your mouth
  • there seems to be a large amount of blood
  • you are getting nosebleeds frequently
  • you have swallowed a lot of blood and vomited
  • you have a fever or chill

For more information, or to discuss any concerns you might have about nosebleeds, call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436.

Sources:
Healthy WA (Healthy WA - Nose bleeds), Mater Mothers Hospital (Pregnancy information for women and families), NHS Choices (Nosebleeds in pregnancy), Raising Children Network (15 weeks pregnant), St John Ambulance Australia (First aid tip: nosebleeds)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: June 2021


Back To Top

Need more information?

Nosebleeds - MyDr.com.au

What causes nosebleeds? How can I prevent them? What first aid measures can I use to stop a nosebleed? Find out here.