Hey everyone,

I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there that has suffered from Bells Palsy whilst PG.

Some of you may have read the thread 'pregnancy rash' where I mentioned I'd broken out in a rash on one side of my face...it wasn't visibly rashy...more that I looked flushed, and that my face there was very hot, tingly, itchy etc and that I couldn't have anything touching my face because of it, and no creams etc have really helped.

After seeing my OB today, he is concerned that perhaps I MAY get Bells Palsy. Apparently sometimes before it comes on, you can get these weird and wonderful symptoms, and the fact that it has affected one side of my face in particular is the concern. He told me that if I woke up one morning with my face drooping, dribbling out of the side of my mouth and unable to close my eye (on the side of my face that's been affected) that I shouldn't freak out, as that's what it will be (yeah right...easier said than done). Apparently I would then need to go on a high dose of steroids in order to reduce the risk of long term paralysis to my face, and the side effects of the steroids include weight gain and fluid retention (just great considering I am carrying extra weight anyway). It can last for between 6 - 8w, sometimes longer, and simply needs to run its course, but is of no danger to the baby, which is obviously the main priority!

I'm understandably petrified of this happening....not just about the physical aspects of one side of my face being paralysed and looking awful, and excessive weight gain, but how these physical aspects will affect my emotional state of mind!!