Measles in pregnancy advice

The advice below is for anyone who is pregnant and needs information about measles. It includes what to do if you have any symptoms of measles, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has measles.

If you need to access maternity care and you have measles symptoms or you have been in close contact with someone who has, please phone ahead. This includes if you are coming to hospital in labour, as well as the Maternity Triage or routine appointments in the hospital or community. This will help us to provide care for you in the most appropriate location, while protecting other patients and staff.

Can measles harm me or my baby?

If you catch measles, it can cause premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth. It's important to get medical advice if you're pregnant and you have been in close contact with someone who has measles or if you have symptoms.

How is measles spread?

The measles virus is very easily spread in droplets from coughs and sneezes in the air. It can also be caught from contact with the skin of an infected person. Most people show symptoms after about 10 days of being exposed to measles (this is called the incubation period).

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles symptoms include:

• high fever
• sore, red, watery eyes / conjunctivitis
• coughing
• aching and feeling generally unwell
• a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms. The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They’re not usually itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days.

What do I do if I’m pregnant and I have measles symptoms?

Anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice. Please do not attend the maternity department or any other antenatal appointments until you have been assessed over the phone.

If you have any urgent concerns about you or your baby, please phone the Maternity Triage as normal.

What will I be asked if I have measles symptoms or if I’ve been in contact with someone who has?

The health professional that assesses you over the phone will need to know:

• how many weeks pregnant you are
• when your symptoms started or the date of the contact with someone with symptoms
• a description of the rash if you have one (is it a raised, bumpy rash or is it blisters filled with fluid?)
• what infections you have had in the past eg chicken pox
• what vaccinations you have previously had

What happens if I am diagnosed with measles?

Your treatment for measles will depend upon how unwell you are and when you first started having symptoms. If you need to be admitted to hospital you will be cared for in a side room to keep other patients safe.

If you have symptoms and you have not had the MMR vaccine, you may need a blood test to check if you have antibodies.

If you are immune, HNIG (Human Normal Immunoglobulin) will not be needed, and you can stay at home until your symptoms have gone. If you are non-immune, you will need to be given HNIG within six days of exposure to measles.

Can I have the MMR vaccine if I'm pregnant?

As a precaution, the MMR vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.

You should also avoid becoming pregnant for 1 month after having the MMR vaccine.

If you have any other children, it is important that they are vaccinated. If you’re not sure if your child has had the MMR vaccine, please contact your GP practice. More information can be found at MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine

I’m not sure if I’ve been vaccinated against measles, how do I find out?

Your GP surgery should be able to check whether you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine. You may also be able to access your vaccination record online through your GP online account.

I’m worried about my baby’s movements or I have another pregnancy concern, what should I do?

We encourage all of our patients to continue to phone the Maternity Triage with any urgent concerns they may have relating to their pregnancy.

Call Triage at any time on: 07990986517

What does close contact mean?

Spending 15 minutes or more in direct contact with someone infected with measles is enough to catch the infection. People whose immunity is compromised, pregnant women and unvaccinated children are at increased risk.