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  |  Pregnancy  |  Tests  |  Getting married, getting pregnant
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Getting married, getting pregnant

by Dr Howard Lee

question
My girlfriend and I are getting married soon and we plan to start a family immediately. I think my girlfriend should be tested for Rubella. She has had measles before, when she was 10 years old – she is now 30. Can she contract Rubella again?
Incidentally, your website pregnancy calendar shows our wedding night could be the conception date! We should be so lucky.

answer
It’s a very sensible decision for your girlfriend to have a test to determine her susceptible/immunity state to Rubella (German Measles). If she has no protection, then an injection would be given (usually with contraceptive protection, because it’s vital that she does not become pregnant at this time). German Measles can be extremely dangerous to a developing baby – so real are the chances of abnormality, that an abortion is usually offered should this happen.

It may be that you are getting confused; there is measles and there is German measles (Rubella) and one does not protect against the other. It is ‘Rubella immunity’ that is important to determine when a pregnancy is planned.

I hope all goes well for you both – have a great time on the Wedding Day/Night – and ‘What Will Be, Will Be’.

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