Question

Toni is very worried because she never got vaccinated against rubella virus and is now pregnant. Rubella infection is a major concern during the first trimester, but infection during the third trimester usually has no ill effect on prenatal development.

Explain how this is possible.

Answer 1

Rubella.

It is a contagious disease which affects the foetus in the womb during pregnancy.

It is also known as GERMAN MEASLES and it shows symptoms like flu and in a few cases, rashes over the skin are seen.

As Toni is pregnant but not immunised against rubella there are possibilities that she might transfer rubella to her baby.it is always recommended to get immunised against rubella before getting pregnant.

Complications to the baby.

Rubella affects almost all the parts of the body in the womb also causes cardiovascular defects, death of baby in the womb etc.

Immunisation against rubella

If a woman is immunised against rubella she can't transfer this disease to the baby and both mother and the foetus are protected.

Planning pregnancy

It is advised to plan pregnancy only after vaccination of rubella, and there should be a gap of 1 month between taking the vaccine and planning pregnancy.

As Toni is pregnant but not immunised she can take these steps to protect her self.

1. During pregnancy

MMR vaccine should not be given during pregnancy, as rubella or MMR vaccine is live attenuated and can cause infection to the fetus in the womb, the only prevention she can do is,

A) By avoiding contact with the lady or the people who are infected with rubella.

B) Inform your doctor immediately if you get exposed to the person infected with rubella.

After delivery or birth of a child.

To protect oneself from rubella infection in the future it is important to get a vaccine after the birth of the baby.

It also helps in protecting future pregnancy from rubella infection.

The possibilities of transferring rubella during pregnancy are.

1st trimester= >= 80 %

2nd trimester= about 50%.

3rd trimester= about 25 %.

As in the first trimester, more than 85% chances are there that she may get rubella infection and it mostly affects during the first trimester because the first trimester is the immune-compromised phase of the mother, it is advised to stay away from the people with the rubella infection and get her self checked regularly during 1st trimester.

As immunity starts building in 3 rd trimester and there are fewer chances of getting rubella infection.