Pregnancy and Rubella

Key points

  • Rubella is very dangerous for developing babies and can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
  • Anyone who is not vaccinated against rubella is at risk of getting the disease.
  • You should make sure you are vaccinated against rubella before you get pregnant.
Pregnant person of color standing and looking out the kitchen window, while holdingbelly.

Risk factors

Rubella is very dangerous during pregnancy‎

If you are planning to get pregnant, you should make sure you are protected against rubella beforehand. Anyone who is not vaccinated against rubella is at risk of getting the disease.

If you get rubella during pregnancy, you are at risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. Your developing baby is at risk for severe birth defects with devastating, lifelong consequences.

Infection with rubella virus causes the most severe damage during early in pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks (first trimester).

MMR vaccine protects against rubella

Although rubella was declared eliminated from the United States in 2004, cases can occur when unvaccinated people are exposed to infected people. This mostly happens through international travel. Rubella can be prevented with MMR vaccine.

Before pregnancy, make sure you are vaccinated

If you are planning to become pregnant you should check with your doctor to make sure you are vaccinated before you get pregnant.

Adults of childbearing age should avoid getting pregnant for at least four weeks after receiving MMR vaccine.

If you are pregnant, you should NOT get MMR vaccine

MMR vaccine is an attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine. If you are pregnant and are not vaccinated, you should wait to get MMR vaccine until after you have given birth.

Contact your doctor immediately if:‎

You get rubella or are exposed to rubella while pregnant.

About congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)

CRS is a condition that affects a developing baby in the womb when the mother is infected with the rubella virus. CRS can affect almost everything in the developing baby's body and cause complications after birth.

During 2005–2018, 15 babies with CRS have been reported in the United States.

Signs and complications

The most common birth defects from CRS can include:

  • Deafness
  • Cataracts
  • Heart defects
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Liver and spleen damage
  • Low birth weight
  • Skin rash at birth

Less common complications from CRS can include:

  • Glaucoma
  • Brain damage
  • Thyroid and other hormone problems
  • Inflammation of the lungs

There is no cure for CRS

Although specific symptoms can be treated, there is no cure for CRS. So, it is important to get vaccinated before you get pregnant.

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Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Division of Viral Diseases