Living with Bell’s Palsy while pregnant
***Warning‼️ Long post ahead
Some of my friends kept asking why I didn’t post any pictures/selfie while pregnant. Well, here’s my story. My pregnancy journey was never been easy. During my first trimester I suffered crazy hormonal imbalances that results acne as in super crazy acne’s all over my face. I thought that was the only problem I will encounter but woke up on 06 August with my half my face completely crooked.
Bell’s palsy is a type of facial paralysis that results in an inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side.
Initially, I wasn’t scared.. well atleast at first. I went into my everyday routine, determined that I would just ‘shrug this off’. As the hours went on I started to really panic. Half of my face became paralysed and I had trouble with my eye closing and constantly watering. It was horrible. Every day I hoped I would wake up and my face would be back to normal. I miss my old face but most of all, I miss my smile.
I am quite a positive person but the first few days after my diagnosis where the hardest days I have ever faced. I couldn’t eat or drink easily, as half of my face was paralysed. I was exhausted, in constant pain and felt really down about my condition and my future. Thinking what will happen to me and to my baby. Slowly, I came round to the realisation that I had this condition, but that it shouldn’t stop me from living my life as best I could. So with that epiphany – I went out and faced the world (not literally because webt out because still pandemic 🤪 ) and have never looked back! I also quickly learned to find humour in things and I think this was a really key part of my recovery. I joined support group in facebook for pregnant women who diagnosed with bells palsy. They were really supportive.
Having bell’s palsy is never easy. I wasn’t able to fully close my eyelid and I had to cover it closed almost everyday. Drinking slowly with my fingers supporting it on my left side was a mission as I didn’t have control over my mouth, I cannot even use straws because I don’t have control over sipping. So, why am I sharing my story? Facial Palsy in pregnancy is common in UK but i guess not here in Philippines and yet not a lot is known about the condition and symptoms that go hand in hand with the Palsy. Whilst there is no known specific cause, most medical professionals believe there is a link to stress and developing the condition.
I still have my bells palsy since I am hesitant to take steroids as I have researched that there’s a study that it will cause some cleft/lip palate to my baby. Of course, as a first time mom to be, I don’t want to take a risk for my baby so I decided that I’d rather have a crooked smile then 😅 I don’t know when will I overcome this, but massaging my face every morning and night pays off as I can see some results now.
Since my diagnosis I have completely changed my lifestyle and outlook on life. I allow myself time to rest and relax and have also learned, in the words of Elsa, to ‘Let it Go!’ I consider myself very lucky, as I understand more than ever that tomorrow is never promised.
I want to say thank you to all my friends ang family who keeps praying for my fast recovery. Your support means a lot to me. And most specially to my husband who keeps reminding me that it will be back to normal, who always joined me during my facial exercises, who always calms me whenever I feel down.
I want to raise awareness of my condition and to also promote the need for people to look after themselves mentally and emotionally.
Life is for living – get out there and grab it!
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