• Home
  • About
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Blog Favorites
    • Awards & Interviews
  • Sponsor / Advertise
  • Article Categories
    • Business
    • Everyday Life
    • Guest Posts
    • Health
    • Holidays
    • Home
    • Inspirational / Spiritual
    • Organizing
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Product Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Hire Me for Painting!!!
    • MURAL PAINTING
    • FACE PAINTING

Painter Mommy

Fun stuff in the Everyday Life of a Busy Mom & Entrepreneur

What is up with Pregnancy and Nosebleeds?

October 5, 2009 by Painter Mommy 6 Comments

Spread the love

1602740-228X210

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.  🙂

CommentBlinkie

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!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!


Spread the love

Filed Under: Pregnancy Tagged With: getting nosebleeds while pregnant, how to prevent a nosebleed, how to stop a nosebleed, nose bleed, nosebleed, nosebleeds during pregnancy

Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    October 5, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    My son tends to get nosebleeds when the season changes (allergy related). One thing that helps him is not only the ice pack, but also sucking on some ice. Your doctor gave you some very good advice and kudos to you for listening.

    Hope you are doing well!
    Suzanne

  2. Felicia - I Complete Me says

    October 6, 2009 at 9:24 am

    I experience this with my pregnancy. But it wasn’t too bad. As long as I didn’t let my nose get dry I was fine. The night time was the worst for me, but hubby and I made it work.

  3. Pam B says

    October 6, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Never had a nosebleed while pregnant. Guess you’ll be lubing up your nose frequently now, eh?
    I get leg cramps (in my calves) every other day. This is my fourth pregnancy (I’m at 35 weeks) and they have gotten progressively worse with each pregnancy. I hope your nosebleeds don’t follow that pattern.
    .-= Pam B´s last blog ..wasatchwoman: @CarissaRogers Great post. New household appliances that help me keep my house clean make me giddy. Go, Carissa, go! http://po.st/4Wn =-.

  4. Amy Gangloff says

    October 9, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    I am in my first pregnancy still and yes I did also have nose bleeds, people told me it was becasue of stress, at the begginign was very hard time for me, so I’m not sure.

  5. Leslie - La Mama Naturale' says

    October 12, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    You poor thing! Isn’t pregnancy great. All these bodily changes and top of it all randomness…sheesh! My last pregnancy I experienced light headedness a few times…but no nose bleeds. Had to prop my legs up for a bit…hope the preventatives work. 🙂
    .-= Leslie – La Mama Naturale’´s last blog ..So much to do so little time! =-.

  6. C. Simonds says

    January 15, 2010 at 11:45 pm

    I came across this post while srfing the web about nosebleeds during pregnancy…I used to get them really bad when I was a kid, up to being a teenager. They would last for an hour or more, and I’d have a constant stream of blood from my nose, often for no reason (they’d wake me up at night). It’s a wonder my mom never took me to the doctor for them…but I’m glad to see that you aren’t, in fact, supposed to tilt your head back. I never did as a kid, I flatly refused when they advised me to do it! Blood + mucus down the back of my throat – no thanks!

    Anyway! I’m now 19 weeks pregnant with my first child and while the nosebleeds did come back, they (thankfully!!) didn’t return with their previous vigor. I just get a little blood now and again, usually already clotted. It’s still disconcerting though – almost a decade after my last major nosebleed, I’m still expecting it to come back!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Advertise Here

BEST Marraige Proposal EVER!!!!

Search This Site…

Connect with Me!

RSS twitter Facebook you_tube linked_in

Affiliations & Sponsors

Speak Now for Kids

Speak Now for Kids

BlogWithIntegrity.com

Top Mommy Blogs


Proud member of Mom Blog Network

badge-small

Grab My Button!

Painter Mommy Button

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Rainy Day Decadence – 6 Lush Ways to Enjoy a Rainy Day at Home
  • 5 Tips To Be Productive At Home
  • Happy and Healthy – 6 Tips For Ensuring Your Kids Are Getting The Nutrients They Need
  • Modern Mom – 5 Health And Safety Essentials For Parents In 2020
  • Baby Bounty – 7 Essentials That Should Always Be In Your Diaper Bag
© 2015 | All Rights Reserved | www.PainterMommy.com
Wordpress Website Developer & Graphic Designer: DPK Graphic Design