Rubella and Pregnancy

The most important period for rubella infection is the first trimester of pregnancy, when all organs and systems of the fetus are just beginning to form. During this period, infection can cause various malformations, such as damage to the heart muscle, eyes, auditory organs, nervous system and other organs and tissues.

When infected with rubella in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, the likelihood of developing malformations in the fetus is reduced, but still remains high. In this case, damage to the fetus can manifest itself in the form of weakness, growth retardation, dysfunction of the liver, hematopoietic system and other body systems.

To prevent rubella infection during pregnancy, women are recommended to be vaccinated against this infection long before conception. The rubella vaccine is part of the comprehensive measles, rubella, and mumps vaccine (MMR), which is recommended for all children ages 1 to 6 years.

If a woman has not had rubella and has not been vaccinated against it, then in case of contact with a person with rubella, she should immediately consult a doctor for preventive measures. Your doctor may prescribe rubella immunoglobulin, which helps reduce the risk of infection and development of birth defects in the fetus.

In conclusion, rubella is a serious infectious disease that can cause various malformations in the fetus during pregnancy. Women planning a pregnancy should be vaccinated against rubella well before conception to prevent infection and protect their unborn child. If a woman has been in contact with someone with rubella during pregnancy, she should immediately consult a doctor for preventive measures.