NHS website - Can rubella (german measles) harm my baby during pregnancy?

Can rubella (german measles) harm my baby during pregnancy?

Rubella, also known as german measles, is rare in the UK nowadays, but if you develop the infection in pregnancy, there's a serious risk for your unborn baby.

Rubella is most dangerous to your baby if you catch it during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects in unborn babies, such as:

• hearing loss 
• brain damage
• heart defects
• cataracts

This is called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

If a pregnant woman does become infected with rubella during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is no treatment that is known to prevent CRS.

Rashes in pregnancy

If you're pregnant and develop a rash, or come into contact with anyone who has a rash, contact your GP or midwife immediately.

If necessary, they can arrange tests to check if you have rubella.

You should avoid any antenatal or maternity setting until you've been assessed, to avoid contact with other pregnant women. 

MMR vaccination

If you're thinking about having a baby, it's a good idea to check that you're fully protected against rubella.

If you're not sure whether you've had two doses of the MMR vaccine, ask your GP practice to check your vaccination history.

Ask for the vaccinations if your records show you haven't had both doses, or there is no record. 

Because MMR vaccination could cause a risk to your baby in pregnancy, you should avoid becoming pregnant for one month after having it. This means you'll need a reliable method of contraception.

For the same reason, you can't have the vaccination when you're pregnant.

If you're currently pregnant, and you're not sure whether you've had two doses of MMR, ask your GP practice to check your records.

If you haven't had two doses of the MMR vaccine, or there's no record available, you should ask for the vaccine when you go for your six-week postnatal check-up after your baby is born.

Further information: