Pregnancy is often portrayed as a beautiful, glowing time in a woman’s life. Common symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and food cravings are widely known and accepted. Many people even compliment the so-called “pregnancy glow.” But for some women, the journey is far more complex—physically, emotionally, and especially in how pregnancy can drastically affect their appearance. Farah, a 28-year-old woman and soon-to-be mother, decided to share her own experience publicly, offering a raw and unfiltered look at how pregnancy impacted her face.
In a series of honest posts on X (formerly Twitter), she opened up about the difficult changes she went through—changes that many women experience but rarely talk about. She revealed that as early as her second month of pregnancy, her face began to break out with painful pimples. These skin issues are linked to hormonal changes common in pregnancy, particularly the surge in progesterone and estrogen, which can increase oil production and clog pores. For Farah, what started as mild acne became more severe, accompanied by itchy skin and, surprisingly, swelling in her nose—a condition some refer to as “pregnancy nose.”
This happens when increased blood flow and fluid retention cause the nose to appear larger or puffier, a symptom that, while common, is often overlooked or dismissed. The physical transformation was deeply emotional for Farah. She posted side-by-side photos showing her face before and during pregnancy, and the changes were striking. In one post, she wrote: “Wish I could go back to this skin again.” In another, she reminded herself: “This is temporary, and my face will be like this again.” Her vulnerability touched thousands online.

People from around the world responded with empathy and encouragement. Some called her brave for sharing such a personal side of pregnancy. Others thanked her for speaking up about something they had silently gone through themselves. Comments like “You’re strong” and “This is part of the beauty of motherhood” filled her posts, showing the power of honest storytelling in creating community and support.
Farah’s story shows that pregnancy is not just about physical transformation—it also affects mental and emotional well-being. Many women feel pressure to look perfect while pregnant, and often feel shame when their experience doesn’t match the idealized image seen in media. Her openness helped break that illusion and gave others permission to be honest about their own struggles.
By sharing her truth, Farah helped normalize the less-talked-about symptoms of pregnancy—like acne, swelling, and body image struggles. She reminded everyone that it’s okay to miss your old face, okay to feel overwhelmed, and more than okay to talk about it. Her story is a reminder that pregnancy is deeply personal, and every journey looks different. In being real about hers, Farah gave voice to many others—and that’s a powerful kind of beauty.
