An ordinary morning, a life turned upside down in one hour
She had just breastfed her daughter, finally enjoying a moment of calm, a cup of tea in her hands. Nothing announced the shift. Then, suddenly, a numbness of the lips, a strange discomfort. Within an hour, half of his face had drooped. “I was drinking my tea and within an hour half of my face sank“, remembers Karina Whyte, still marked by the fear of that moment.
At first convinced that she was having an allergic reaction, she tried to reason with herself. But her reflection brings her back to the obvious: something abnormal is happening. “I was devastated. I already had self-confidence issues, I had just given birth and I was trying to learn to love my body and all these hormones again… And I found myself with half my face paralyzed“, she confides. In the chaos of the first postpartum days, the fear of a stroke becomes obvious.
“I woke up and was perfectly fine. I went to the sofa to have a cup of tea and breastfed. The corners of my lips started to go numb. I thought it was weird, an allergic reaction. In less than an hour, half of my face collapsed and I thought I was having a stroke.“, she says again, her voice trembling.
The doctors’ verdict: Bell’s palsy
Rushed to the hospital, Karina undergoes several examinations before the doctors put a name to what is devastated: Bell’s palsy, a condition of the facial nerve causing paralysis on only one side of the face.
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician, specifies: “Bell’s palsy is a sudden paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of the face, caused by inflammation or compression of the facial nerve. In France, we often speak of ‘refrigerated’ paralysis.“.
The origin of this inflammation remains mysterious. But certain circumstances, such as viral infections (herpes, Epstein-Barr virus), postpartum hormonal variations or even a change in the immune system after childbirth, can trigger it. More rarely, it results from a bleeding disorder.
“The postpartum period, especially the first two weeks, is particularly at risk, as the body undergoes significant hormonal and immune changes. This context promotes inflammation of the facial nerve“, underlines the doctor.
Signs that should alert
Bell’s palsy hits hard. In a few hours, the features become frozen and facial movements become impossible on one side. The typical signs are numerous:
- Rapid, unilateral paralysis of the face;
- Difficulty closing the eye on the affected side;
- A drooping of the eyebrow;
- A deformed mouth with the corner of the lip lowered;
- Partial loss of taste;
- A decrease in facial sensitivity;
- Sometimes mild ear pain, dry eyes or hypersensitivity to noise.
The distinction from a stroke is crucial. “The major difference between peripheral facial paralysis, such as Bell’s palsy, and central paralysis, of cerebral origin, lies in the muscular involvement. The peripheral shape affects the upper and lower part of the face, preventing frowning and closing the eye on the affected side. On the other hand, central paralysis only affects the lower part of the face and spares movements of the forehead.“, explains Dr. Kierzek.
Learning to smile again: the long road to recovery
Treatment is based on rapid administration of corticosteroids, sometimes combined with antivirals if an infection is suspected. Protecting the eye becomes a priority, to avoid dryness or damage to the cornea. Ointments, artificial tears and facial rehabilitation exercises accompany daily life. “Antivirals can also be prescribed if a viral infection is suspected, as can paracetamol for pain relief.“, the doctor further specifies.
For Karina, every gesture, every sip of water has become a learning experience. “Now I don’t have any more pain. But I can’t drink without the water flowing. I have to purse my lips to drink. The first two weeks I had food all over my face, but I learned to eat properly. It was really embarrassing“, she confides.
Despite the difficulties, she moves forward with courage. “Today, my left lip barely moves, enough to show a hesitant smile in the photos, but it is still paralyzed. From time to time during the day, I close my eyes with my finger to prevent them from drying out. I still have to blindfold myself at night“, she said softly.
Most patients regain normal motor skills within a few weeks or months. Early treatment increases the chances of full recovery. For Karina, this long road to healing is accompanied by a new look at her body, marked but resilient.
FAQ – Bell’s Palsy After Childbirth
What signs should alert you after a birth?
Sudden facial paralysis on one side is a warning sign. Difficulty closing one eye, drooping mouth, altered taste or pain around the ear should be seen immediately. Rapid diagnosis allows a stroke to be ruled out and the right treatment to be initiated.How to distinguish Bell’s palsy from a stroke?
In Bell’s palsy, one side of the face is affected, including the forehead and eye. Impossible to frown or close the eyelid. In the event of a stroke, only the lower face is affected: the forehead moves normally. If in doubt, consult urgently.Why does postpartum increase risk?
After childbirth, the body experiences a major hormonal and immune upheaval. These variations can inflame the facial nerve and trigger Bell’s palsy. This phenomenon remains rare but more common in the first two weeks postpartum.Can Bell’s palsy be completely cured?
Yes, in the majority of cases. Early treatment with corticosteroids significantly improves recovery. Facial rehabilitation and eye protection accelerate healing. Within a few weeks to a few months, most patients regain normal motor skills.