Pregnancy & Bell's Palsy

Pregnancy is associated with a myriad of uncomfortable changes, but one symptom that catches some pregnant women completely off guard is Bell's palsy. Why this condition is more than three times more likely to strike a pregnant woman than one who isn't pregnant is a mystery, but there are theories as to why this is true.

What is Bell's Palsy?

• Bell's palsy is a type of temporary facial paralysis. The condition damages the nerves that control the facial muscles, often only on one side of the face, typically causing that side to have a droopy appearance. Someone who is afflicted with Bell's palsy may not be able to blink her eye on the affected side or pull her mouth up into a smile. A headache and lack of taste is also commonly associated with the condition.

Why Does It Strike Pregnant Women?

• No one is sure why pregnant women are more susceptible to Bell's palsy, but according to one theory, the increase in fluids in a pregnant woman's body could lead to swelling in the nerves and tissues of the face, which could lead to a pinched nerve. Another theory states that Bell's palsy is more likely to strike someone with a compromised immune system and pregnant women fit that bill. Bell's palsy is most likely to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy or within a few weeks of delivering the baby.

Is Bell's Palsy Preventable?

• As far as we know, there is no way to prevent Bell's palsy. Stress is often thought of as the culprit, but there is no research that links stress with the condition.

How Does Bell's Palsy Affect the Baby?

• Bell's palsy doesn't appear to affect the developing baby. But women who are affected by Bell's palsy while pregnant are also more likely to develop pre-eclampsia, a potentially dangerous condition involving high blood pressure.

Treating Bell's Palsy

• Bell's palsy is not life threatening and typically resolves itself in a few weeks. In many cases, those who are inflicted experience a complete recovery, but there are some whose muscles don't fully recover, causing the droopy expression to persist for a much longer time, or perhaps even for the rest of their lives. Steroids is often used to treat victims of Bell's palsy who aren't pregnant, but most health care professionals would advise that pregnant women wait until after delivering their baby to be undergo any such treatments.