An expectant mother has revealed how bleeding gums have become 'normal' for her during pregnancy as she shared a shocking image of her mouth full of blood.
Mother-to-be Ella Dvornik, 29, from Croatia, shared the image in a post to her 358,000 Facebook followers, admitting she had gotten used to the shocking symptom during her pregnancies.
Posting the photo, she wrote: 'This is normal during pregnancy, but not everyday. Gums bleed a little stronger because of excess blood, hormones etc.'
The confession prompted other women to share stories of their own unusual pregnancy symptoms - with some revealing they had even lost teeth while expecting.
Ella Dvornik, 29, from Croatia, posted a shocking photograph on Facebook of her mouth filled with blood and said it had become 'normal' for her during pregnancy (pictured)
The vlogger told her 358,551 followers that the bleeding was a normal side affect of pregnancy, caused by excess blood (pictured)
The vloggers post (pictured) sparked a discussion, as many contributors revealed they've also experienced dental issues during pregnancy
Ella who already has a daughter Balie, two, with husband Charles Pearce, 41, has been sharing her family life on YouTube for the last nine years.
Her followers were stunned by the shocking photograph, with many revealing they too had suffered from similar dental problems during pregnancy.
One person said: 'I was like that in all three pregnancies.'
Another wrote: 'Half my teeth came out in my pregnancy... Sorry, but I don't want to talk about hair.'
Ella's followers were quick to respond, with many saying they had also experienced bleeding gums while expecting, while other said they had even lost teeth while pregnant
A third added: 'I lost two teeth in pregnancy, I was vomiting while I was brushing my teeth.'
Meanwhile many others said they had become unable to get their dental health back to normal after giving birth.
'After the first pregnancy nothing, but after the second chaos. I cannot get back to normal,' one explained.
They added: 'Sensodyne toothpaste is great and a soft brush for me. As soon as I use something else my gums start to ache and bleed.'
Another wrote: 'I did the same thing in my pregnancy. No way to recover my gums and it's been two years now.'
Are bleeding gums in pregnancy a cause for concern?
Some women get swollen and sore gums, which may bleed, during pregnancy. Bleeding gums are caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease.
It's very important to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy while you're pregnant.
The best way to prevent or deal with gum problems is to practice good oral hygiene.
Go to the dentist so they can give your teeth a thorough clean and show you how to keep your teeth clean at home.
Source: NHS