Flower

Hi all,

My step-son has been diagnosed with Rubella this morning - his mum took him and she just called to tell me. He's had it for the last 4-5 days - so I've been in contact with him in those days. He'll be contagious for the next 10 days, so no school and he'll have to stay at his mums house for that time, I should imagine? (they have 50/50 custody and we have them every other day and w/e)

I'm 22 wks pregnant, I've just called my doctor (which is a different doctor to my stepson) and the receptionist said the doctor is going to give me a call back.

So while I'm going out of my mind with worry - does anyone have any experience of this (I have no idea what Rubella is - apart from its like Measles) or how it affects me?!

Thanks all!

Laura1984

Hi Flower,
I know that in early preg one of the blood test you have is to check for Rubella anti-bodies and usually these are present - this means your are immune to the disease.
If no anti-bodies are detected you are at risk if you come into contact with someone infected with the disease - but you would have been advised if no anti-bodies were detected to let you know of the risks?

I'm off to see my midwife at 11.10 today so could ask her some questions if you'd like?

Try not to worry, I know it's easier said then done!!

xxxxxxxx

Gabi

Rubella is German measles.
It's one of those childhood diseases that if you get it once you're immune. Like measles, mumps and chicken pox.
Also if you've been innoculated against it you're safe. Don't know about where you are but here ALL the girls in school are innoculated against it.

Luckily you've phoned your doctor already. I'd wait to see what he says. But being 22 weeks it may not be such a problem if you've picked it up. I'll be holding thumbs for you. Unfortunatly I'm not a dr so I can't help you further. The only scary info I've read about it has referred to women in their 1st trimester.

Flower

Thanks ladies, I'm trying to be calm and not paranoid!

Laura - yes if you could ask your midwife - if you don't mind that would be great - I've googled it and I keep reading bad things - which is making me worse! (now i can't stop itching!)

I'm sure its nothing to serious to be alarmed at - but you know what some of us are like - paranoid about everything!

poppy

Hi Flower,

By now you have probably had your 16 week blood tests done - and they test to see if you are still immune to rubella (most girls get an immunisation when they are still at school and should be immune). They would have contacted you about this if you were not still immune to go over options for immunising you after you give birth.

In the pregnancy books it says that after 17 weeks, the chance of damage to your baby if you did catch rubella is minimal.

However, if you are worried, I would definately phone the doctor.

Ann-Marie

I'm not sure about this, I just know that I'm immune according to my bloods in the first tri. Keep us posted.

Flower

Well I've been round in circles this morning - I still have no difinitive answer!

Its meant to be written in my white notes - but its not - everything else has been written against but not that!

My GP surgery still haven't called me back and now they are closed until 2pm. I've called the midwife dept at the hospital, who have said wait til your next midwife appt - to which I replied - "what in mid May! What about collecting step daughter from school today (dunno if she has it) or having contact with my stepson today - else we'll have to arrange child care'

Aaaaanyway! They called me back as they'd have to get a different department to look it up - and i am immune.

But with all the running about and mis-communication (my fiance was told different things) I'm dubious about whether to avoid contact with my step-son or not?!

What a palarva! We're going to pick step-daugther up from school as usual (she doesn't show any symptoms) and have her every other day as usual - but not sure about step-son.

Gabi

Glad you finally got a reply out of them. All the doctors seem to be asleep this week.
If you're immune then there's nothing to worry about. I don't think it's necessary to avoid contact with your step son then.

Vickie

Sorry to hear you had such a rough time getting a reply from them. Honestly if it were me and I didn't feel comfortable with the information I was told I wouldn't take your step-son until he has past the contagious stage.

Emmea12uk

If you are in the UK, all babies were innoculated against it until recently - you should most definately have had the jab. it is the famous MMR jab and this is why is bugs the pants of me that mother's don't let their children have the jab! Because a once extinct disease is back and getting prevelent!!

Sorry for the rant!!! Sure you will be fine! The results of your initial bloodtests will be onthe front page of your maternity notes (if you are in the UK)