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Preventing Nosebleeds

To prevent pregnancy nose bleeds, use a humidifier year round if you live in a particularly dry climate. Otherwise, run a humidifier during the winter months when heating the house causes the air to be really dry.

A saline spray for the nose keeps it the membranes moist and helps to prevent nose bleeds.

When Nose Bleeds in Pregnancy Are Serious

Although it doesn't happen very often, a nose bleed can get out of control. If you have a nose bleed that you have not been able to stop after 20 minutes, you're probably over the limit and should seek medical help.

Too much blood loss can make a nose bleed a medical emergency. In the medical profession it is sometimes noted that five milliliters of blood can look like 30.

If you're judging the amount of blood loss by what you can see on your maternity top, you may think you need a blood transfusion when really the loss has been very small. However, if you've soaked a towel and blood is gushing, there's a serious problem.

The standard method of stopping a nose bleed is to bend forward, keeping your head above your heart, and pinch your nose at the bridge. This facilitates clotting.

If it continues to drip, grab a measuring cup to catch the blood (in case the medics need to know how much blood has been lost). If you have a history of blood disease, this aspect is a major factor.

The symptoms of too much blood loss are:

· fatigue

· feeling dizzy or light-headed

· pale skin color

· confusion

· rapid heartbeat

· chest pain

Any of these symptoms demand an immediate call to the doctor.

Nose bleed in Pregnancy Possibly a Sign of Toxemia

Another possible cause of nose bleed in pregnant women is high blood pressure. This is a very serious issue as it may indicate pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition in pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is associated with the development of high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia may also have the following symptoms:

· blurred vision

· headaches

· extreme swelling

· abnormal weight gain

· nose bleeds

The other name for pre-eclampsia is toxemia and it complicates between five and seven percent of all pregnancies. The complications that arise from pre-eclampsia and eclampsia for both mother and baby may account for up to 20 percent of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.

Although nose bleeds are not uncommon in pregnancy, if they have become troublesome to you, visit your healthcare provider for treatment.