Rubella or German measles
in pregnancy is rare since
many women either get
vaccinated during their
adolescence or have been
exposed to this infection
during childhood. Nevertheless
before becoming pregnant
it is best to get yourself
checked against rubella
with a simple blood test.
Rubella is known to cause
greater harm during pregnancy
than at other times.
How
does rubella or German
measles affect pregnancy?
• Rubella is an
infectious disease that
can cause severe harm
to your baby. Known to
afflict with dire consequences
especially in the first
trimester, the effect
of German measles in pregnancy
tapers down as the pregnancy
progresses.
• If contracted
in early pregnancy this
disease is known to affect
fetal brain, heart, ears,
skin and eyes.
• Infection in the
first month of pregnancy
translates to a higher
chance of baby developing
defects (more than 35%)
versus in the 3rd month
where the risk drops to
10-15%. Subsequently the
risk is very minute.
• For the virus
to carry out its work
the mother must come down
with the illness proper;
exposure alone will not
cause the damage to the
fetus.
• The symptoms that
manifests 2-3 weeks following
exposure are mild to being
symptom-free: slight fever,
swollen glands, nausea
and vomiting, and a rash
a day later which can
go unnoticed
• Apart from birth
defects German measles
can also cause spontaneous
abortion
Need
to Know
• If you are unsure
about your immunity against
rubella, a simple test
–a rubella antibody titer
which measures the antibody
level in the bloodstream
is routinely performed
during the first prenatal
visit. If you aren't immune,
it is very important to
avoid exposure.
• Generally it is
best to avoid immunization
with any live vaccine,
rubella included, around
the time of conception
and during pregnancy as
it carries a small risk
to the baby. If you need
to get vaccinated get
it done beforehand (3
months) and use a contraceptive
for 1-3 months afterwards
• If you are vaccinated
and accidentally conceive
before the window period
is over, don't worry.
Theoretically the risk
of damage is there but
there are no reported
cases supporting this
claim as yet.
• If you did not
receive vaccination and
did not come down with
the rubella infection
during your pregnancy
term (good news for sure)
ensure you receive vaccination
after delivery as a safeguard
for future pregnancies.
• If a mother is
actively infected during
the first 3-4 months,
genetic counseling or
discontinuing the pregnancy
is the route most often
taken. An open discussion
with the doctor is necessary
to address possible risks
and concerns before making
any decision. Since the
level of fetal deformity
is highest during early
pregnancy abortion becomes
the treatment of choice.
• Inform your doctor
if you have fever, runny
eyes, swollen glands,
and a rash.
