What it is
Gums bleed pregnant when you brush, and your nose bleeds for no reason: this is pregnancy gingivitis and pregnancy nosebleeds. Blood volume rises by nearly half, and hormones make the small vessels in your gums and nose swell and get fragile. Between 6 and 7 in 10 pregnant women have some gum bleeding, and about 1 in 5 get nosebleeds.
What's typical
Gum bleeding often starts in the second month and peaks in the third trimester. A few mothers grow a small red lump on the gum called a pregnancy tumor, which is harmless and usually goes after birth. Nosebleeds stop within 10 to 20 minutes. Both settle after birth.
What's known
ACOG and the American Dental Association say dental cleanings and treatment are safe and important in pregnancy. Gum disease has been linked in some studies to preterm birth, though treating it in pregnancy has not clearly changed that.
What helps
- Brush softly twice a day with a soft brush and floss daily. Bleeding gums need more cleaning, not less.
- Book a dental cleaning. Tell them you are pregnant. They can do it in any trimester.
- For a nosebleed, sit up, lean forward, and pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes.
When to call someone
- Nowa nosebleed that will not stop after 30 minutes of firm pressure, or bleeding with dizziness or fainting.
- Todaybleeding gums with fever, a loose tooth, or facial swelling, or nosebleeds several times a week.
- At your next visitbleeding or bruising elsewhere too, which may be worth a blood count.
Who helps
Tools: Birthworker Directory
Related
- Dental care in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
- Low iron and anemiaPregnancy: Your Body
- Swelling: feet, ankles, hands, facePregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say
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Sources
- American Dental Association — Pregnancy and oral health patient information
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee opinion on oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan
- NHS — Bleeding gums and nosebleeds in pregnancy
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