Rubella, also called German measles, is a viral infection that causes few problems in the nonpregnant woman. It is more serious during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. The most common symptom of rubella is a skin rash. You may also experience flulike symptoms.
Rubella infection during pregnancy can increase the rate of miscarriage and cause malformations in the baby, especially deafness and heart defects.
Rubella vaccine has been in use for a long time. One of the initial blood tests you will receive is to check for antibodies to rubella. Problems with rubella occur infrequently.
