Overview
Nose bleeds during pregnancy are a fairly common occurrence. More often than not they are quite harmless and most women find them inconvenient and surprising at best. That is to say that nose bleeds are not the symptoms of some more destructive event. In spite of this these nose bleeds can be very irritating and, in the absence of the knowledge of the fact that they are mostly harmless, can cause panic and consequent reactions.
Why do nose bleeds occur during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the volume of blood pumping in the body increases. This is followed by the expansion of the blood vessels in the body. This will naturally increase the pressure of blood inside the body. When the pressure of blood in the blood vessels inside the nose rises beyond a certain limit, nose bleeds occur. This is the main internal cause. Nose bleeds can also occur if the pregnant woman has a cold. Alternatively less fluid intake can also cause nose bleeds as this will make the mucous membrane dry and therefore irritation prone. Rough blowing or the use of harsh products to blow the nose can also cause the said irritation and lead to bleeding of nose.
Prevention and Curing of Nosebleeds
Certain simple steps can ensure that there are less or no nose bleeds during pregnancy. Using a humidifier in the room will ensure that the room is moist and therefore the mucous membrane is not left dry and made irritation prone. The pregnant woman has to ensure that plenty of fluids are consumed to keep the mucous membranes functioning properly. Blowing the nose too hard will also result in bleeding and has to be avoided. Using soft tissue products like those with aloe to soothe the nose can also help in reducing the probability of occurrence of nose bleeds. Applying an over the counter nasal lubricant or dabbing the inside of the nose with a little petroleum jelly can also help in preventing the mucous membrane from drying.
It is quite possible that in spite of these precautions nose bleeds do occur. In such a case the first thing to remember is that there is nothing to panic. Then the woman has to sit up straight and press the nostril for up to ten minutes. It takes a while to produce enough pressure to stop nose bleeding. It has to be remembered that it will take from 5 to 10 minutes to stop the nose bleed and if the pressure is released before the bleeding stops then the same process has to be started again. Applying ice over the nose can also stop bleeding as ice constricts the flow of blood through blood vessels. During this process of applying pressure, or ice, the woman has to avoid laying or tilting the head back as this will cause the blood from the nose to drip into the throat and stomach causing nausea and vomiting. These are of course some domestic remedies and consulting a doctor, if the case is sufficiently serious, is the best option.
