Advice please - one-side facial weakness

[deni]

Hi, if there's any nurses/midwives out there who can answer this question (or anyone else who's experienced similar) would appreciate some advice!

I'm 38 wks pregnant today and had a fortunate trouble-free pregnancy, very minimal bloating etc, although last few days i've noticed my feet have swollen slightly, BP normal 110/70 consistently.

This morning my hubbie brought me a takeaway coffee with a straw and I noticed some difficulty closing my mouth over the straw. Looking in the mirror my face looks normal, no droopiness, but when I purse my lips like to suck a straw or kiss, my lips are very uneven like my right side of mouth is slacker than left.

Is this a pregnancy thing that can get worse? I'm not sure if I should try and see a doctor today, gps are hard to get into on a sunday, or try and make an obstetrician appt for tomorrow (I'm next due to go on wednesday but maybe they can squeeeze me in)?

I did a quick google search and came up with Bells Palsy but dont want to jump the gun and get anxious if it's just something little. I've also had a bit of a sinus cold the last few days so maybe a nerve is getting irritated ?

Thanks for any advice

Sharon

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

If it were me, I'd go straight down to the ER. I noticed you've been checking your BP - the first thing I thought of was pre-eclampsia, and I'm not sure if you necessarily need to have high blodd pressure first, iykwim?

Maybe you could ring the Nurses' helpline for your state, but I'm pretty sure they'll tell you to go get checked out.

Good luck, and let us know how you go!

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i would go in and see someone straight away too. i'm not sure that it is a pregnancy related thing though. i dont want to scare you or anything but the thing i first think of when there is facial weakness etc (especialy on one side of face) is a stroke! its probably not but still i would see someone ASAP!

[hj1981]

Im no medical expert either - however i do work for the QAS and suggest u do get it checked out straight away!

[Bathsheba]

I second what everyone else said! Please have it checked out a.s.a.p! Good luck darl, let us know how you go!

[Ellie]

I so hope you're at the doc now and not reading this...but if you are...GO!!!

My mum had bells palsy and you must be treated within 24hours to avoid things getting worse and taking many months to heal compared to a few! She was treated by an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist as the Gp and emergency didn't know much about it and if I hadn't kicked up a stink and contacted the specialist directly she wouldn't have had the correct treatment in time. My GF had it a few months later and remembered my mum's story and demanded she see a specialist as the emergency dr was just going to send her home. Good luck and hope you're feeling better soon xxx

[[M]umma[M]ia]

i have pre eclampsia. Swelling of the face is classed as one of the warning signs of PE. To be classifed as having PE u need atleast 2 out of the 3 things.. swelling (oedema), High BP hypertension,protien in ur urine.
I would head down to the Emergency asap and just get them to check u out. they will take ur swelling of the face seriously. While you are there you can be expected to have your urine checked.. BP checked.. Bloods taken and mayb a CTG.

HTH