The Pregnant Tourist: A Nosebleed Emergency
A story of treating a pregnant tourist with a severe nosebleed, and what you need to know about epistaxis (nosebleeds).
It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and I was in the mood to do some gourmet cooking. Alas, I got called to the Emergency room for a nose bleed.
I walked in to find a sweet young pregnant lady holding a big basin filled with blood. It continued to pour out of her nose without any intention of stopping.
Her supportive husband stood by her side, and appeared bewildered and scared. I saw fear in her eyes as I tried my best to reassure her, while my mind was racing in order to work out a swift plan of action.
We had to work fast to save the baby. The mother was in her third trimester, and the couple was visiting from Australia. Suffice to say, it took considerable measures to control and stop the bleeding. Fortunately, no harm came to the baby.
They returned to Australia two weeks later with no further problems. About two months later, I got a thank you card and picture of their healthy beautiful baby boy!
More About Nose Bleeds
Both patients and doctors dislike nose bleeds, also known as Epistaxis. Fortunately, most of them are minor and arise from the very front part of the nose.
If bleeding continues, more definitive surgical measures can be taken under general anesthesia. Posterior bleeds are those arising from the back of the nose. They can be much more severe and are often seen in elderly patients or those with hypertension.