During pregnancy, the mother’s blood circulation system widens to accommodate the presence of the baby. One of the effects of this change is triggering nosebleeds during pregnancy, also known as epistaxis.
There are also other causes of nosebleeds during pregnancy.
Here is the explanation, along with how to overcome it.
Is Nosebleed During Pregnancy Dangerous for Mother and Fetus?
Nosebleeds are a condition in which blood is lost from the tissue lining the nose.
When pregnant, you may not realize that your blood volume increases by about 50 percent.
All of this new blood flow is necessary during the pregnancy process, one of which is to feed the growing baby in your womb.
The blood vessels in your body also widen to help move extra blood to all your organs and your baby.
This includes the small, delicate blood vessels that are in your nose.
Launching the siteHealthline, with more blood flowing into the nose (and body) plus a surge in hormone levels, this condition can sometimes cause the blood vessels to break more easily and bleed, causing nosebleeds in some mothers.
This condition will certainly make the mother uncomfortable, even worried about whether it could have an impact on the fetus?
Mothers don’t need to worry, because the nosebleeds they experience are not dangerous for the baby.
Unless the nosebleed occurs in the last trimester, then you need to be alert and immediately check with a doctor.
A study revealed that nosebleeds that occur in the last trimester of pregnancy put pregnant women at risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
So, if you experience this, the doctor will recommend a cesarean delivery to reduce this risk.
How Often Do Nosebleeds Occur During Pregnancy?
Nosebleeds are actually common during pregnancy, and usually occur when entering the second trimester , some even continue to experience them until the end of pregnancy. However, they only occur temporarily, are mild, and are not dangerous. One sign of a nosebleed is that pregnant women often feel their nose is blocked when entering the second trimester.
SiteBaby Centerexplains, around 20 percent of pregnant women experience this problem, while around 6 percent of non-pregnant women have also experienced it.
As explained above, if nosebleeds continue to occur after pregnancy, you need to consult a doctor.
Causes of Nosebleeds During Pregnancy
1. Dilated Blood Vessels
As the baby arrives, the blood supply in the mother’s body increases. This causes the blood vessels to widen and thin.
Pressure on the blood vessels can cause them to rupture, leading to bleeding from the nose.
In addition to the expansion of blood vessels that makes pregnant women more susceptible to nosebleeds during pregnancy, mothers are also more likely to experience nosebleeds in several other conditions.
2. Allergies
Some types of allergies can also cause nosebleeds during pregnancy, especially if you also experienced nosebleeds when you had allergies before you were pregnant .
The use of antihistamines , the habit of picking or scratching the nose can also irritate the membranes in the nose, causing nosebleeds.
3. Sinus Infection or Flu
When you have a nose or sinus infection , the mucous membranes tend to dry out and the blood vessels in your nose can easily break.
Irritation from colds and infections can also cause nosebleeds.
4. Too Cold or Too Dry
The mucous membranes inside the nose dry out easily when the weather is too cold or too dry and are prone to nosebleeds.
For example, when you are in an air-conditioned room, airline cabin, or when the day is very hot.
5. Injury
You have an injury in that area, for example your nose hit something hard.
6. Chemicals
Using chemicals in the nose can also irritate it and cause nosebleeds.
Such as the use of nasal medications or medications that are sprayed or inhaled.
7. Certain Medical Conditions
If you have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or blood clotting disorders, this can also cause nosebleeds during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Nosebleeds During Pregnancy
Nosebleeds can occur in one or both nostrils. And they can last anywhere from a few seconds to nearly 10 minutes.
The volume of blood that comes out can be very heavy, like bleeding, and there is also dry, crusty blood in the nose that you don’t even realize until you blow it.
When a nosebleed occurs, there are no typical symptoms.
If you have a nosebleed and are lying down or sleeping, you may not notice it .
You will only feel like something is running down the back of your throat.
However, if you have been diagnosed by a doctor as having high blood pressure and are experiencing nosebleeds, immediately check with your obstetrician, okay, Mom.
How to Stop a Nosebleed
If you experience a nosebleed during pregnancy, do this:
- Sit and lean forward slightly, but keep your head higher than your chest/heart.
- Using your thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the entire bottom of your nose or both nostrils gently.
- Breathe through your mouth and close your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the blood to flow into your nose and not your throat.
- Don’t let go instead of wanting to check to see if the bleeding has stopped before that, because it can interfere with clotting. If possible, you can use a timer .
- Then sit up straight or stand up straight to lower blood pressure in the nasal cavity, in order to prevent further bleeding.
- Apply ice to constrict the blood vessels and slow the bleeding. You can use an ice pack or anything frozen that you have on hand.freezerthen stick it on the upper part of the bridge of the nose in a position that does not cover the nostrils.
- Do not wrap your nose with gauze or tissue.
- Don’t lie with your chin up or tilt your head too far back. There’s a chance you’ll swallow blood, which can cause nausea and vomiting or even cause you to accidentally inhale blood into your lungs.
- If the nosebleed is still flowing, repeat all the steps above for another 10 minutes.
- Avoid hot drinks or alcohol, as they can cause the blood vessels in the nose to widen.
Preventing Nosebleeds During Pregnancy
Is it possible to prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy?
It is very possible for a mother to experience nosebleeds during pregnancy for no reason at all.
However, you can also reduce the risk of nosebleeds by keeping the pressure in your nose down, Mom.
One way is by not doing things that can irritate the blood vessels in the nose.
Here’s how to prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy:
- Use a lubricant to prevent dryness in the nasal passages. Some experts recommendpetroleum jelly. Others suggest special water-based lubricants available over the counter at pharmacies. Saline nasal sprays or drops may also help.
- Avoid pinching or rubbing your nose or face too hard.
- Blow your nose gently if you have a stuffy nose due to a cold or flu.
- Sneeze with your mouth open (have a tissue handy to catch the droplets). The goal is to distribute the pressure of the sneeze, not concentrate it all in your nose.
- Avoid picking your nose too often or too hard.
- Avoid air conditioning and fans.
- Keep the air in your home moist by using a humidifier, especially during the winter.
- Avoid intense exercises that involve a lot of bending or jumping.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep your mucous membranes well hydrated.
- If your doctor recommends that you use a nasal spray or decongestant, use it exactly as directed. Don’t use it too often, as these medications can dry out and further irritate your nose.
- Avoid using nasal spray products that can cause the membranes to dry out.
- Avoid environments that cause irritation, such as environments full of cigarette smoke, excessive perfume, and other chemicals that can cause nasal irritation.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Although nosebleeds can occur during pregnancy and are said to be harmless, there are also mothers who experience heavy bleeding during nosebleeds.
In some cases, nosebleeds during pregnancy are a sign of a health problem that can only be identified after being examined by a doctor.
Therefore, if you experience symptoms like those below, see a doctor immediately.
- Mother feels like she has lost a lot of blood during a nosebleed, for example if the nose bleeds for more than 10 minutes or if it bleeds a lot in an unusual volume.
- Having shortness of breath or difficulty breathing during a nosebleed.
- Nosebleeds occur after Mother experiences a hard blow to the head.
- Nosebleeds accompanied by facial numbness, extreme tingling sensations, which can be a sign of a stroke.
- Experiencing nosebleeds accompanied by loss of consciousness.
- Nosebleeds accompanied by dizziness and weakness.
- Very severe bleeding that does not stop even after 30 minutes.
- Are taking anticoagulant drugs which can worsen nosebleeds.
- Nosebleeds and have a history of high blood pressure.
- Blurred vision or seeing flashes.
- Chronic or severe headaches.
- Vomiting (not caused by morning sickness )
- Edema or sudden swelling in the legs .
- Stomach ache
- Severe bloating
- Fever
- Chills
- Sudden weight loss
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Dark colored urine
- Light colored stools
In very rare cases, nosebleeds along with other symptoms may be a sign that you have a serious health condition.
These serious symptoms are very rare.
If you have it, you will know it! So, get yourself checked by a doctor right away.
Nosebleeds during pregnancy are more common than when they are not. However, you don’t need to worry about it.
See an obstetrician immediately if you experience nosebleeds for more than 10 minutes or heavy bleeding .
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
