While you were expecting to come up against morning sickness and fatigue during pregnancy, you hadn’t anticipated nosebleeds! And yet, they’ve been happening more and more often.

So now you’ve found yourself wondering - Is it normal to have more nosebleeds during pregnancy? Am I okay? Will the nosebleeds affect my baby?

It’s actually very common for mothers to experience more nosebleeds during pregnancy. In fact, 1 in 8 women experience frequent nosebleeds during the 9 months of pregnancy. But why exactly is that?

Why are nosebleeds more common during pregnancy?

As you will no doubt know, your body experiences a lot of hormonal shifts during and after pregnancy. Progesterone – one such pregnancy hormone – causes an increase in blood supply, while oestrogen dilates the blood vessels. This combination puts more pressure on blood vessels and increases the chances of breakage.

But while it is normal and common to experience nosebleeds during pregnancy, it can be frustrating and potentially a little upsetting. So, what can be done to stop them?

How do I stop a nosebleed?

If a nosebleed begins, sit down and firmly pinch your nose, just above the nostrils. To prevent any blood from getting on the furniture or carpet, hold a tissue to your nostrils.

While your instinct might be to tilt your head backwards, this is not recommended. Instead, lean forward and breathe through your mouth. That way, the blood drains from your nose and not down the back of your throat.

Do not lie down, as this will increase the pressure on the veins in your nose and encourage bleeding.

You may have to continue pinching your nose for 10 to 15 minutes, so be patient and try to stay calm.

Try not to pick or blow your nose, do strenuous exercise, drink hot drinks or lie down for a short while after the bleeding has stopped.

Be gentle with your nose. Try not to blow it too hard or too often, and keep from picking at it. If your nose feels very dry, try a little vaseline around the nostrils to prevent soreness.

So, by following these measures, the nosebleed should come to a fairly quick stop. But are there any instances that warrant medical assistance?

When should I see a doctor?

If a nosebleed hasn’t stopped after 20 minutes, call your doctor immediately. It’s also worth seeing a doctor if you are having frequent nosebleeds: more than once a week. You should also get to a hospital as soon as possible if any of the following takes place:

There is blood pouring out of your mouth.

You are struggling to breathe because the flow is so heavy.

The blood in your mouth is causing you to vomit.

If any of those occur, then call an ambulance.

Are nosebleeds normal during pregnancy?

Unii looks at this common pregnancy symptom, which is typically hormone-driven.