Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Rubella in pregnancy - please reassure me

30 replies

SmallShortSally · 17/09/2019 06:16

I'm 5 weeks pregnant. My in laws are about to come and stay, and I've just found out that my nephew who lives with them has "probably" had rubella for the past 6 or so days.

I have no idea what their vaccination status is (they live overseas).

I had a baby a year ago so presumably would have been tested in that pregnancy for immunity (and presumably was fine or is have been told otherwise..?), so can I rest at ease even if they do bring rubella into the house?

I'm panicking! Haven't told anyone I'm pregnant yet.

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 17/09/2019 06:23

I know you are only 5 weeks but could you contact the GP or EPU for a blood test?

Ginfordinner · 17/09/2019 06:24

Do you know whether you have had the MMR or actually had rubella yourself?

SleepyKat · 17/09/2019 06:25

If you were tested for immunity and not told to have an mmr then you’re immune. Chances are as adults your in laws are also immune.

However nhs did stop testing pregnant women for rubella status recently, not sure how recently. Are you sure you were tested in last pregnancy?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
SleepyKat · 17/09/2019 06:26

Not checked since 2016. www.gov.uk/government/news/rubella-susceptibility-screening-in-pregnancy-to-end-in-england

I would stop the visit until you have a blood test. Not worth the very small risk.

redchocolatebutton · 17/09/2019 06:27

talk to the midwife or gp if you don't have a midwife yet.

your inlaws are probably immune, it used to be a very common childhood infection.

Hederex · 17/09/2019 06:27

You need to find out your rubella status from your last pregnancy, if tested. My surgery keep this in your digital medical notes.
If you are not immune, or haven't been tested, you need to cancel the visit.

BlueGingerale · 17/09/2019 06:35

His vaccination status is irrelevant if he has rubella. Either he wasn’t vaccinated against it - or more likely he was vaccinated and the vaccination didn’t work.

Original poster
SmallShortSally · 17/09/2019 06:38

Was also pregnant in 2015, so would have been tested then even if not in my last pregnancy. Will call and see as soon as they open today.

I am pretty sure I've had both MMR doses in the past (worked briefly in the NHS - presumably I'd have had to have everything up to date for that, and I remember them checking immunisation records).

No possible way of cancelling, as they are currently in the air flying here, and land this afternoon and will hire a car and drive straight here with no mobile phone access. I just found out now about the Rubella, and they are already halfway here!

OP posts:
Original poster
SmallShortSally · 17/09/2019 06:40

I meant not sure of the vaccination status of my parents in law. Obviously nephew has it whether he's been vaccinated or not. Was more wondering if they had ever been vaccinated. Nephew isn't coming. Just the grandparents.

OP posts:
tenredthings · 17/09/2019 06:46

Stock up on antiseptic hand gel and don't kiss or hug them !

Hederex · 17/09/2019 06:52

I've had the MMR about 10 times now, but still don't have rubella immunity, so you do need to check.
Hopefully all ok...but look. It's a small risk that your baby will be harmed if you catch rubella. However, it is a risk, the risk is highest in the first trimester, and the damage is absolutely life changing.
Personally, if you aren't immune or can't find out in time, I wouldn't see them. It's really unfortunate but not worth a lifelong disability for your child.

SnuggyBuggy · 17/09/2019 06:55

I wouldn't be taking that risk. He shouldn't have been allowed on a plane either

bruffin · 17/09/2019 06:57

Rubella is really easy to false diagnose. 99% of cases that are lab tested in uk come back negative.
Unless they are from a countrythat actually has a current epidemic ie Poland or Romania in europe its unlikely to be rubella

Ginfordinner · 17/09/2019 07:00

I've had the MMR about 10 times now

10 times Shock

over501 · 17/09/2019 07:03

Yes, find out your status, but if you can't before they arrive, can you go and stay somewhere else until you do? I think this is the time to tell everyone about the pregnancy - you do not want to risk having your pregnancy exposed to rubella for the sake of keeping it quiet until 12 weeks. Hopefully, everything will be fine - but the MMR is not 100% and the consequences of contracting rubella at this stage could be very severe for the baby - lifelong and life changing disabilities. I really do not think riding it out with antiseptic handgel is appropriate here (not that you were the one to suggest this).

PotteringAlong · 17/09/2019 07:06

It doesn’t matter about their vaccination status, but yours surely? As long as you’ve had it (either as MMR or if you’re in your late 30’s probably as a single vaccine at school when you were about 14) then that’s ok?

Hederex · 17/09/2019 07:07

Yep gin. As a baby, preschool, teenager. After giving birth twice. Then every sodding couple of years in the NHS because I can't prove my immune status.

For what it's worth I've also had rubella. Once. Hmm

OhLookHeKickedTheBall · 17/09/2019 07:08

Definitely check on the blood test thing. Many women find out in a second or subsequent pregnancy that their rubella immunity has disappeared. NHS are currently having a drive to encourage people have a double dose of MMR if they only had a single shot in their youth or have no record of it.

I lost my immunity between pregnancies, as did a couple of my friends. You may be fine though, but just ask your midwife/epu.

SnuggyBuggy · 17/09/2019 07:14

Alan Barnes, the man who was in the news after he had his collarbone broken after being mugged was exposed to rubella in the womb. It can cause serious lifelong disability.

Flyingsouthwiththeswallows · 17/09/2019 07:19

Sorry I wouldn’t be risking this.

I contracted Rubella from a visitor in my first pregnancy at 6 weeks. This was 40 years ago when scanning was in it’s infancy but the outcome was a recommendation to terminate.

We have friends living in the UK whose DC contracted Rubella earlier this year. Despite MMR it is still around.

RedSheep73 · 17/09/2019 07:21

You would have been vaccinated yourself, surely, which is all that matters? and if for some reason yoj hadn't, surely that would have come up as an issue in your last pg? But, if they have a child who hasn't been vaccinated for that, who knows what else he is carrying. I yhink I woukd put them off under those circumstances.

stucknoue · 17/09/2019 07:27

They are most likely immune, it was one of those conditions that 95% of people contracted in childhood, if you are younger you should have had the mmr, if you are older you will have been given a rubella vaccine in your last year of primary school. Your gp will advise caution but hand gel, no physical contact etc will reduce further but I strongly suspect they are not infected

Trooperslaneagain · 17/09/2019 07:31

I don't want to scaremonger, but I've had rubella as a child, the vaccine, checked when going for IVF and I wasn't immune.

Got the MMR to be safe and still not coming back as immune.

Definitely get checked. And no to visitors with it.

Lorraine1983 · 17/09/2019 07:35

My mum caught it when pregnant with me in the 80's because the idiotic parents chose not to get the kids vaccinated. She was very poorly and was advised a termination. I'm deaf and screwed. Sorry but it's a bitter topic. Luckily mum was vaccinated and I only lost my hearing.

endofthelinefinally · 17/09/2019 07:37

They are so irresponsible and selfish to get on a plane.
I am immunosuppressed and recently found myself stuck on a transcontinental train with a child with obvious chicken pox just across the aisle.
You shouldn't go near any of them until you have established your immune status.

Swipe left for the next trending thread