nosebleeds.
last revised · reviewed 2026-07-05
Nosebleeds affect around 1 in 5 pregnant women — pregnancy hormones expand the delicate blood vessels lining the nose while your total blood volume rises by half. They are usually brief and harmless; steady pressure on the soft part of the nose for 10 to 15 minutes stops most of them.
what it feels like
Sudden bleeding from one nostril, often triggered by blowing your nose, sneezing, dry air, or nothing obvious at all. Many women also notice a stuffy, congested nose throughout pregnancy ('pregnancy rhinitis') — the same swollen vessels are behind both.
why it happens
Oestrogen and progesterone increase blood flow to mucous membranes and make the tiny vessels in the nasal lining swell and grow more fragile. Combined with a 40 to 50 per cent rise in blood volume, minor knocks or dryness rupture these vessels far more easily than usual.
what helps
- To stop a bleed: sit upright, lean slightly forwards, and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10 to 15 minutes without peeking
- Avoid lying down or tipping your head back — blood running down the throat causes nausea
- Blow your nose gently, one nostril at a time
- Keep the nasal lining moist: a smear of petroleum jelly inside the nostrils, or saline spray
- Humidify dry bedrooms, especially in winter or with heating on
- Avoid picking, and sneeze with your mouth open to reduce pressure
- After a bleed, avoid nose-blowing, hot drinks, and bending over for a few hours
when to call your midwife or doctor
- A nosebleed that hasn't stopped after 20 to 30 minutes of continuous firm pressure — seek medical help
- Very heavy bleeding, or swallowing large amounts of blood
- Frequent nosebleeds alongside easy bruising or bleeding gums that seem excessive — mention to your midwife or doctor
- Nosebleeds with severe headache or blood pressure concerns — call your midwife or doctor
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call — no midwife has ever minded a careful question.
common questions
Are nosebleeds normal in pregnancy?
Yes — about 1 in 5 pregnant women get them, compared with 1 in 16 outside pregnancy. Hormones swell the fragile vessels lining the nose while blood volume rises sharply, so minor triggers cause bleeds. They're a nuisance rather than a danger and usually stop within minutes with firm pressure.
How do I stop a nosebleed properly?
Sit upright, lean slightly forwards, and pinch the soft lower part of your nose continuously for 10 to 15 minutes — resist checking early. Don't tip your head back. If bleeding continues after 20 to 30 minutes of good pressure, seek medical help.
Do pregnancy nosebleeds harm the baby?
No — typical nosebleeds involve tiny amounts of blood relative to your expanded volume and have no effect on the baby. Only prolonged, heavy bleeding that won't stop needs medical attention, for your sake rather than the baby's.
read it in context
Nosebleeds tends to show up around these weeks of pregnancy:
related symptoms
- Pelvic girdle pain
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is pain around the pelvic joints — the pubic bone at the front, or the sacroiliac joints at the back — affecting around 1 in 5 pregnant women.
- Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome — a crawling, fidgety urge to move the legs, worst in the evening and at night — affects around 1 in 5 pregnant women, peaking in the third trimester.
- Swelling (oedema)
Gradual swelling of the feet, ankles, and fingers — oedema — is normal in later pregnancy, caused by extra fluid and the uterus slowing blood return from the legs.
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