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

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

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.

unusual symptoms in pregnant women

Pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, morning sickness and frequent urination are known to almost everyone. But there are other strange signs of early pregnancy that your body sends to announce the birth of a new life - you definitely don’t know anything about them.

Ksenia Ilchenko

Signs of early pregnancy

Despite the knowledge of physiological processes, each woman's pregnancy is unique. There is a difference in everything - starting from what first signs of pregnancy the expectant mother will notice, and ending with how her state of health will change by the time of childbirth. Even the same woman who has given birth to several children can have different symptoms and signs of pregnancy each time. nine0003

In addition, the first signs of pregnancy in the early stages may feel similar to the sensations before and during menstruation, so the woman does not immediately understand that conception has occurred.

Reliable signs of pregnancy in the early stages can be observed no earlier than 8-10 days from the moment of fertilization of the egg, when the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus and the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), begins to be produced in the mother's body. But it must be borne in mind that this is the approximate time of implantation of the embryo, for each woman this period is individual. nine0003

The most common presumptive signs of early pregnancy:

• Delayed menstruation. However, it is worth remembering that there can be many reasons for a violation of the cycle, and in order to accurately determine the first signs of pregnancy, it is necessary to exclude possible causes of delay, such as stress, menopause, excessive physical activity, lack or vice versa, excess weight and others.
• Toxicosis. Morning sickness and malaise are the most common first sign of pregnancy before menstruation. nine0022
• Changes in appetite and eating habits. An aversion to certain foods may appear, a desire to eat spicy, sour, inedible appears.
• Unstable emotional state.
• Change in sexual desire. This happens due to a change in the sensitivity of many receptors in the body of a pregnant woman.
• Fatigue and drowsiness.
• Frequent urination.
• High or low blood pressure and dizziness. nine0022
• Soreness of the mammary glands.
• Cramping and pain in the lower abdomen.
• The appearance of spider veins not only on the legs, but also on the face, neck, chest.
• Weight gain.

Important! Some symptoms and signs are not exclusive to pregnant women. They can be a manifestation of diseases. We recommend that you consult a doctor if you feel any changes.

The most important and reliable signs of early pregnancy will be:

• detection of a high concentration of the hCG hormone in the blood and urine;
• changes in the internal genital organs and the presence of an embryo (detected using ultrasound diagnostics).

The strangest signs of pregnancy

Stuffy nose

Do you wake up with a blocked nose? Or do you have to clean it more often than usual? This may be a sign of early pregnancy. The reason for this is the increased production of mucous secretions during pregnancy. And by the way, it's not just in your nose! nine0003

Metallic taste

Taste bud changes, also known as dysgeusia, usually resolve after the first trimester but may persist throughout pregnancy. One of the strangest symptoms of early pregnancy is described by women as “mouth full of change” or “as if I’m licking the railing.”

Flatulence

The increase in progesterone during pregnancy slows down the digestion process - as a result, gases now form longer. Women in the early stages of pregnancy are often in a state of "balloon". nine0003

Bleeding from the gums and nose

This is another common sign of early pregnancy. Due to the increase in the level of female sex hormones, the gums become inflamed and may start to bleed while brushing or flossing. Pregnancy also provokes vasodilation in the nose, which can cause bleeding.

Constipation

Since we are talking about the functions of the body, it is worth mentioning one more sign of early pregnancy. Disturbances in the work of the intestines are caused by the same hormonal changes. You may have to put a book in the toilet! nine0003

Vivid dreams and nightmares

Expectant mothers often have vivid dreams and nightmares. One of the reasons for this strangest sign of pregnancy is all the same notorious hormonal changes. But there is another explanation: the sleep of a pregnant woman is often interrupted due to going to the toilet, the movements of the child or convulsions, and the fresher the dream, the higher the likelihood of remembering its content.

Dizziness

A woman's body often reacts to the birth of a new life with one of the signs of early pregnancy - a decrease in blood pressure. In addition, as the abdomen grows, the center of gravity changes. All this leads to the fact that a pregnant woman begins to unsteadily stand on her own feet. nine0003

Veins

Unfortunately, there are more unpleasant signs of pregnancy. As the fetus grows, the uterus increasingly compresses the inferior vena cava, a large blood vessel that runs in the right side of the body. An increase in pressure in the pelvic area leads to a reduction in blood flow to the legs - and, as a result, such an unpleasant disease as varicose veins develops.

Alas, this is not the end! Stagnant processes can spread throughout the body. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to compare their body to a road map because of the web of blue veins protruding from it. nine0003

Outward signs of pregnancy: unusual behavior of older children

Changes in the body are felt not only by the expectant mother. Pregnant women who already have children say that a very strange sign of pregnancy appears in the early stages - already existing children become more capricious and require more attention. And in any case, do not panic - children need time to adapt to a change in status, becoming older, and they feel the changes long before the birth of a sister or brother, because the mother begins to behave at least not much, but in a different way. And it’s not for nothing that children are called “locators”, capturing the slightest fluctuations in their mother’s state and mood. Hugs, spending time together and a psychologist will help gently prepare children for the birth of a new family member. nine0003

Source: kidspot.com.au

Have you had strange pregnancy symptoms?

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Dried blood in the nose of pregnant women is a temporary phenomenon. Nosebleeds in early pregnancy

Why does nose bleed during pregnancy? It is with this question that expectant mothers, concerned about sudden nosebleeds, turn to the doctor. What is it - a norm or a pathology? And how can periodical affect the development of the child? nine0003

Nosebleeds in expectant mothers: should I be concerned?

Blood from the nose during pregnancy can go both in the early and late periods, but the causes of this phenomenon, depending on the time of occurrence, can vary significantly. To begin with, let's figure out why such bleeding occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy.

In fact, nosebleeds in early pregnancy may be one of the signs of physiological changes associated with childbearing. Already in the first weeks in the body of a woman, the level of progesterone, the hormone responsible for the preservation and development of pregnancy, begins to increase. nine0003

This hormone has a huge impact on all the vital systems of the expectant mother, including the circulatory system.

Due to the action of progesterone, blood circulation is increased in all parts of the body. An increased amount of blood in the vessels causes thinning and fragility of the vascular walls, so the capillaries in the nose simply cannot withstand pressure and burst at the slightest overvoltage, causing bleeding from the nasal passages.

Progesterone also causes increased production of nasal mucus, causing swelling of the nasal mucosa and rhinitis. To clear the sinuses and make breathing easier, a pregnant woman often has to blow her nose, which further injures the walls of blood vessels, can lead to their rupture and blood from the nasal passages. The action of progesterone lasts almost the entire pregnancy, decreasing only just before the birth, so nosebleeds can accompany the second trimester and the last third of pregnancy. nine0003

The causes of an unpleasant phenomenon may not always be physiological. After 20 weeks, the risk of developing a dangerous complication - preeclampsia, which is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, increases significantly. A hypertensive surge provokes an increase in pressure in the vessels, and sometimes in the later stages, blood from the nose comes precisely because of this. The third trimester is the period when gestosis appears most often.

Accompanying nosebleeds in this case will be not only high blood pressure, but also the presence of protein in urine tests, as well as noticeable swelling of the hands, feet and face. nine0003

Other causes of nosebleeds during pregnancy include:

• lack of vitamins and nutrients;
• nose injuries;
• dryness of the nasal mucosa;
• blood clotting disorder.

Periodic nosebleeds are not a cause for concern. But if during pregnancy the nose bleeds too often and strongly, this must be reported to the doctor, who, if necessary, will prescribe an additional examination or refer the expectant mother to an appointment with a specialist - an otorhinolaryngologist or a hematologist. nine0003

How can I help myself with a nosebleed?

Although nosebleeds during pregnancy most often do not pose any danger to a woman and her baby, this phenomenon is rather unpleasant: it can plunge a pregnant woman into panic. In such a situation, you should first of all pull yourself together, calm down and try to stop the bleeding yourself by doing the following:

1. Sit down and slightly tilt your head forward. It is believed that tilting the head back helps stop the bleeding, but in fact, such movements are contraindicated for nosebleeds, since in this case the blood can enter the larynx and cause vomiting. For the same reason, when bleeding from the nose, it is not recommended to lie down. nine0022
2. Apply a cloth soaked in cold water or ice wrapped in a thin towel to the nose. The cold constricts the blood vessels and helps stop the bleeding.
3. Do not try to clear the nasal passages of blood by blowing your nose - this will only increase the bleeding.
4. You can press the nostrils against the nasal septum and breathe through the nose for a while. Usually after a few minutes the bleeding stops.
5. If the bleeding is severe enough, it is recommended to insert cotton wool lightly moistened with hydrogen peroxide into the nasal passages. nine0022

In most cases, these actions will quickly stop the bleeding, but if the bleeding does not stop, you should immediately seek medical help.

The best way to prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy is prevention. It is necessary to carefully monitor the nasal cavity, regularly clean the mucosa using mild moisturizers (saline or sea water-based sprays). These measures may not be enough if the pregnant woman is constantly in a room with dry air. nine0003

To humidify the atmosphere, regularly ventilate or use special humidifiers. Walking on the street will also be very useful, especially in a park or near water bodies.

In addition, it is very important to eat right and take vitamin complexes for expectant mothers. With increased fragility of the walls of blood vessels, it is recommended to include foods rich in calcium, rutin and ascorbic acid in the diet. With the development of gestosis, salty dishes should be excluded from the menu. nine0003

In the 2nd-3rd trimester of pregnancy, you should carefully monitor blood pressure and swelling in order to notice signs of preeclampsia in time and consult a doctor as soon as possible. And yet, it should be remembered that in most cases, rare nosebleeds that occur during pregnancy are caused by a natural restructuring of the female body and are not associated with any pathologies, so do not panic: this is a temporary phenomenon, and most often it does not represent dangers for the course of pregnancy and the development of the child. nine0003

During pregnancy, a woman's body is exposed to increased stress, because it must ensure not only its own life, but also the life of the fetus. The most famous and common problem during this period is toxicosis, but few people know about nosebleeds. This is not surprising - after all, the respiratory tract is not at all part of the body's reproductive system, and it is difficult to associate such a symptom with pregnancy.

Meanwhile, nosebleeds in pregnant women can go quite often. For some doctors, nosebleeds may even be one of the first signs of a patient's "interesting situation". And many pregnant women experience such an unpleasant symptom literally every day. Is this the norm? nine0003

Causes

Why can nose bleed during pregnancy? The fact is that with the development of the fetus, the volume of blood circulating in the body of a woman increases, but the vascular system retains its previous dimensions. Accordingly, the blood expands the vessels, increasing blood pressure. The vessels of the nose are the weakest, and during pregnancy they become even more fragile. This is also facilitated by a change in the hormonal background - an abundance of female hormones softens the mucous membranes of the whole organism. nine0003

The capillaries of the nose are located very close to the surface and the blood easily breaks them with its pressure. Immediately after this, bleeding begins.

How worrisome is this symptom?

During pregnancy, you should listen very sensitively to any signals from your own body. Any change in the state of health can be a harbinger of formidable disorders. Blood coming from the nose during pregnancy, as a rule, signals only a slight increase in pressure. However, if a woman initially suffers from hypertension, she should definitely consult a doctor. After all, the blood strongly presses also on the vessels of the uterus (and not just the nose), which can even provoke a miscarriage. nine0003

For more accurate self-diagnosis during pregnancy, you should pay attention to other changes in well-being, because with an increase in pressure, not only does the nose bleed, but also dizziness, weakness and darkening in the eyes appear. Mild nosebleeds during pregnancy are not particularly dangerous in themselves unless there are other signs .

How to act

If a woman is in a public place and does not want to draw attention to herself, you can simply press a handkerchief, napkin to your nose, or pinch your nostril with your fingers for a while. This time is enough to go to the toilet or any secluded place. If the pregnant woman is at home, she should tilt her head down to allow the blood to flow out and not in. When the flow dries up, you need to carefully rinse your nose with running water using ordinary cotton swabs or hydrogen peroxide. nine0003

If the dried blood is not completely removed, you can periodically lubricate the nasal cavity with medicated oil - for example, sea buckthorn or calendula oil. This will not only remove the effects of bleeding, but also heal broken capillaries. Another good way to quickly stop bleeding is exposure to cold - the head is tilted down, and ice wrapped in a cloth or a cold spoon is applied to the bridge of the nose.

Prevention

A pregnant woman should always tell her doctor about any health problems, especially hypertension. To increase the elasticity of blood vessels and their resistance, vitamin C or the drug ascorutin is often prescribed. nine0003

Expectant mother should not overexert herself (be nervous, lift weights, get very tired) and work in stressful conditions. All these factors contribute to high blood pressure and can put the baby at risk.

If nosebleeds are mild, but they bother you quite often, this is also a reason for an unscheduled visit to the hospital. The doctor must definitely check what is their cause.

Pregnancy for a woman is a normal physiological process, which results in external and internal changes in the female body. During this period, hormonal changes occur, as a result of which the functioning of many systems of the female body, including the cardiovascular system, changes significantly. In particular, blood flow increases, the permeability and fragility of blood vessels increase, which often leads to epistaxis - nosebleeds. nine0003

The human nose performs important functions, including moistening the inhaled air masses, warming them and cleaning them from dust. In addition, the nose performs olfactory functions, differentiating various odors. The mucous membrane of the nose is characterized by increased blood supply, which is carried out from the main arteries through an extensive network of capillaries.

Epistaxis or epistaxis is a fairly common pathological condition, and is a symptom of many diseases. Often it occurs in women during pregnancy, when, against the background of an increase in body weight, the development of the placenta and fetus, there is an increase in blood flow in the vessels. nine0003

Sinus bleeding may be minor and rare, and therefore usually not serious or cause serious concern by the attending physician. However, quite often they occur in the case of the development of pathology and are a sign of a serious illness, which, ultimately, can lead to serious consequences. What are the causes of nosebleeds in women that occur during pregnancy?

Hormonal changes nine0214