I have never been one to get nosebleeds.  It all started for me during pregnancy #3.  I thought there was something wrong with me.   Every other day I got a nose bleed.  They weren’t too bad.  They lasted about 10 minutes.  Some were worse than others.  I had no clue that this was actually completely normal during pregnancy.

But they come at such terrible times!  I had one come when I was standing in line for lunch on our recent cruise.  I had no tissue and it was dripping on the floor until my husband could get me a tissue.  And what made it even worse is that there were these ladies behind me telling me that I needed to put my head back.  But my doctor told me to definitely not do that because the blood will just go back into your head and not come out. The ladies meant well I am sure, but they got kinda snippy with me because I told them that I would rather do what my doctor had advised me to do.  I couldn’t WAIT to get out of that line.  Ugh.  And I would’ve just sat down at a table, but the lines were 45 minutes long and I didn’t want to have to stand in it all over again to get my food.  As you know on a cruise, the food is usually the highlight of the day.

So, why does this happen?  What is the cause of nosebleeds during pregnancy?

Pregnancy can cause increased blood flow in your body which can cause pressure on the delicate blood vessels in your nose causing them to rupture.  A pregnant woman can have 30% to 50% more blood circulating in their body than normal.  This extra blood helps the placenta and the growing baby to be healthy.

You are more prone to nosebleeds during the following:

• When you have a cold
• During a sinus infection
• If you have allergies
• When your nose dries out
• In cold weather
• In air conditioning
• In airplanes
• In dry environments
• Trauma or medical conditions

This is how to stop a nosebleed:

• Sit down
• Lean forward and keep your head at a level that is above your heart
• Pinch your nose firmly, just under the bridge
• Maintain pressure for at least ten minutes
• Don’t release this pressure until ten minutes are up – it will stop the coagulation process
• If you have some ice, put a bag of it over your nose – this will help the
  blood vessels to constrict
• Don’t lie down or lean your head back – this could cause you to swallow your blood, which can lead to nausea and vomiting
• Once the
  bleeding has stopped, try not to blow your nose for at least 12 hours

You can prevent nosebleeds during pregnancy by:

• Drinking extra fluids to keep your mucous membranes hydrated
• Gently blow your nose.  Blowing your nose too hard can cause a nosebleed
• Keep your mouth open when you sneeze
• Avoid dry air or smokey environments.  You can use a humidifier in your home
• Use a lubricant in your nose such as petroleum jelly
• Don’t over use medications such as nasal spray and decongestants

This information helped me a lot.  And it was nice to see that my doctor was actually right that you are NOT supposed to lean your head back during a nosebleed.

So now I carry a wad of tissues around wherever I go.  I am not going to get stuck again dripping blood all over my clothes and the floor.  It is best to be prepared.

Have any of you gotten nosebleeds during pregnancy?  Tell me your story.  Where is the worst place you got a nosebleed without being prepared?  Hearing your stories will definitely make me feel better.  🙂

Oh, and don’t forget about my current giveaway that is going on for a $60 gift certificate to www.PaperSpring.com.  Not many have signed up, so there is a good chance of winning!

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