Nose bleed in pregnancy is normal. This happens due to the hormonal changes that occur during gestation, which causes a dilation of the blood vessels and an increase of the vascularization of the nasal mucosa, leading to an engorgement of the same.
In fact, pregnancy is one of the secondary causes of epistaxis (nasal bleeding), being more common in pregnant women with arterial hypertension, since the high pressure favors the rupture of the blood vessels.
Bleeding in the nose may occur more during winter or when the weather is drier, facilitating the rupture of small blood vessels.
If the nose bleeds, the pregnant woman should, first of all, remain calm, since most of the nose bleeds improves spontaneously in a few minutes and do not need urgent medical attention. The situation can be resolved by following these steps:
- Compress the side of the nose against the septum on the bleeding side for a few minutes;
- Sit upright, looking forward;
- Do not raise or lower your head;
- Place a cotton cloth inside the nostril and continue compressing the nose for another 5 to 10 minutes;
- When the bleeding stops, do not blow your nose, as it may cause new bleeding;
- Do not introduce anything into the nostrils;
- Do not attempt to clean the nostrils with a cotton swab, finger, or any other material or object.
If bleeding continues, seek emergency medical attention. Frequent episodes of nosebleeds, even during pregnancy, should be evaluated by the otorhinolaryngologist.
