Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. You may be finding yourself blessed with all kind of new discomforts and aggravations. Nose bleeds may be one of them. Nose bleeds and nasal congestion are very common complaints during pregnancy. As your pregnancy develops, your blood volume increases. The combination of hormonal changes and increasing blood flow contributes to some of the nasal problems of pregnancy. Many women complain of being feeling more congested, having more sinus headaches, or having more frequent nosebleeds when they are pregnant.

How to stop a nose bleed

Sit down and pinch the end of your nose. You don’t want to lie down. Your head should be higher than your heart. Don’t tilt your head back because you may end up swallowing blood. This might make you nauseated or sick to your stomach. Keep your nose pinched, applying pressure for five to ten minutes. You want to hold the end of your nose long enough for the blood to clot and stop the flow of blood. Applying ice may help too. Ice will help to constrict the blood vessels and should help stop the bleeding. If you are still bleeding after ten minutes, continue applying pressure to the end of your nose. Make sure that you do not stop applying pressure to check the bleeding because this may allow the blood to start flowing again. If your nose is still bleeding after 20 minutes or if you are having severe bleeding call your doctor.

How to prevent nose bleeds

Avoid drying medications like nasal sprays and decongestants. You should consult your doctor about any medications that you take during your pregnancy.

Avoid being around smoke or heavy perfumes that might irritate your nose.

Use a humidifier. Humidifiers help to keep the air in the room moist. This can help to clear up congestion and keep your nasal passages from drying out.

If your nose feels congested, don’t pick your nose or blow your nose forcefully. Try taking a steamy shower to loosen up the congestion or rinsing your nose with saline drops. (Do not use medicated drops without consulting your doctor).

Keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your membranes from drying out.

Treating a nosebleed

If you develop nosebleeds during pregnancy, there are several simple steps you can take to stop them. The moment you notice a nosebleed starting, make sure you sit up, then apply pressure to your nostril for up to ten minutes. It will take a while for you to produce enough pressure to stop the nose bleeding. You can pinch your nostrils together by applying pressure to the outer nostrils.

Keep in mind it typically takes a full five to ten minutes to stop a nosebleed, so if you release pressure prematurely you will probably have to start all over again. Some women find that applying an ice pack over the nose helps speed along the process. Ice tends to constrict the flow of blood through blood vessels (just as it helps reduce dilation of the blood vessels during a headache). While you are treating your nosebleed, you want to be sure to avoid laying down or tilting your head back. This will allow blood from your nose to drip into your throat and stomach. That can produce nausea and vomiting, something you definitely won't want on top of a nose bleed.