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What Are The Risks Of Conceiving Post R-VAC Vaccination?
Question: Hi Doctors,
I am 28 years old and I recently underwent a MTP as my baby was diagnosed with a Heart Disorder (HLHS). I was 20 weeks pregnant when the MTP was done. I was advised TORCH test and the results are as below
Rubella Ig G: 2.26
CMV Ig G : 4.66
My gynac has advised me R-VAC injection and has advised to not concieve for next six months. What will happen if I concieve during this period.
I am 28 years old and I recently underwent a MTP as my baby was diagnosed with a Heart Disorder (HLHS). I was 20 weeks pregnant when the MTP was done. I was advised TORCH test and the results are as below
Rubella Ig G: 2.26
CMV Ig G : 4.66
My gynac has advised me R-VAC injection and has advised to not concieve for next six months. What will happen if I concieve during this period.
Brief Answer:
THE GAP IS TO IMMUNIZE YOURSELF FOR RUBELLA
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Basically R Vac is a vaccine against Rubella infection.
The vaccine contains a small suboptimal dose of the virus that is enough to provide immunity.
Till the immunity develops, if you conceive, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to your unborn baby.
That is why a 6 months period of waiting is advised.
After this period, you will be immunized and the baby will not have a risk of Rubella.
Rubella infection is known to cause various defects in the baby.
So please avoid conception for 6 months.
Take daily 5 mg per day folic acid for a month before you plan a baby next time.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
THE GAP IS TO IMMUNIZE YOURSELF FOR RUBELLA
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Basically R Vac is a vaccine against Rubella infection.
The vaccine contains a small suboptimal dose of the virus that is enough to provide immunity.
Till the immunity develops, if you conceive, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to your unborn baby.
That is why a 6 months period of waiting is advised.
After this period, you will be immunized and the baby will not have a risk of Rubella.
Rubella infection is known to cause various defects in the baby.
So please avoid conception for 6 months.
Take daily 5 mg per day folic acid for a month before you plan a baby next time.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor for clarifying. Is it safe for me take OC pills during this wait period. MY GYNAC has prescribed loette pills. I Hope taking this pills would not affect the next pregnancy. Also is there any chance of weight gain because of this pills.I am already overweight and have a pcod. My gynac said not to take any treatment for pcod as I would concieve easily (like my first pregnancy). Also I am curious to know how would I have caught this Rubella Infection. Is it because I was in the UK for year. I had skinrashes there but the GP there said it was because I was new to the weather there...
Please clarify
Please clarify
Brief Answer:
CAN TAKE PILLS.
Detailed Answer:
You can definitely take OC pills for contraceptive purpose.
However, weight gain is possible .
You can use a pill called XXXXXXX instead of Loette. XXXXXXX is beneficial for PCOD patients and does not cause weight gain - discuss this with your doctor.
If you conceived naturally the first time around, there is no reason why you should not conceive again.
Just keep exercising and eat sensibly and try to lose weight, as weight loss in itself is a major cure for PCOD.
Was this current pregnancy thoroughly investigated ?
The fetus that was aborted should have been sent for complete pathological examination to rule out associated anomalies.
You should have undergone the following tests - OGTT ( oral glucose tolerance test ), TSH, Thalassemia screening, complete blood count, HIV, HBsAg, HCV.
Also, surgical correction is possible for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and termination is not always the only option.
You have not caught Rubella, you misunderstood.
The tests show that you are not exposed to Rubella, so chances of contracting it during pregnancy are there.
Hence, you are being vaccinated against it, so that you do not have a risk of contracting it ever in the future.
It is like being vaccinated for polio, I hope you understand now.
Take care.
CAN TAKE PILLS.
Detailed Answer:
You can definitely take OC pills for contraceptive purpose.
However, weight gain is possible .
You can use a pill called XXXXXXX instead of Loette. XXXXXXX is beneficial for PCOD patients and does not cause weight gain - discuss this with your doctor.
If you conceived naturally the first time around, there is no reason why you should not conceive again.
Just keep exercising and eat sensibly and try to lose weight, as weight loss in itself is a major cure for PCOD.
Was this current pregnancy thoroughly investigated ?
The fetus that was aborted should have been sent for complete pathological examination to rule out associated anomalies.
You should have undergone the following tests - OGTT ( oral glucose tolerance test ), TSH, Thalassemia screening, complete blood count, HIV, HBsAg, HCV.
Also, surgical correction is possible for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and termination is not always the only option.
You have not caught Rubella, you misunderstood.
The tests show that you are not exposed to Rubella, so chances of contracting it during pregnancy are there.
Hence, you are being vaccinated against it, so that you do not have a risk of contracting it ever in the future.
It is like being vaccinated for polio, I hope you understand now.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doc for clearing my doubt.Is vaccination the only way for me to immunize against Rubella infection. Can it not be through tablets! I am a little apprehensive of taking OC pills. And what are the chances of my next baby getting infected of Rubella if I do not take the vaccination.I did go through the tests you mentioned above and all the results were normal. In my first pregnancy during the anamoly scan the baby was diagnosed as below
Features of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with absent aorta. I did consult a cardiologist and he was of the opinion of surgical correction would not be successful hence we terminated the baby. So my question is ..do I really need to get vaccinated for Rubella.
Features of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with absent aorta. I did consult a cardiologist and he was of the opinion of surgical correction would not be successful hence we terminated the baby. So my question is ..do I really need to get vaccinated for Rubella.
Brief Answer:
YES, YOU NEED THE VACCINE
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
I am sorry, vaccination is the ONLY way to immunize yourself against Rubella.
There are no tablets, and why would you want tablets anyway ?
If you do not want to take OC pills, just use condoms.
You can try conception as early as 3 months after the vaccination, 6 months is a bit cautious period.
The chances of your next baby getting Rubella are minimal, but they exist.
Rubella is known to cause heart defects.
It is best for you if you undergo the vaccination given the history of heart defect in the first baby.
Yes, I think you need the Rubella vaccine, and use condoms to avoid conception for atleast 3 months.
Take care.
YES, YOU NEED THE VACCINE
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
I am sorry, vaccination is the ONLY way to immunize yourself against Rubella.
There are no tablets, and why would you want tablets anyway ?
If you do not want to take OC pills, just use condoms.
You can try conception as early as 3 months after the vaccination, 6 months is a bit cautious period.
The chances of your next baby getting Rubella are minimal, but they exist.
Rubella is known to cause heart defects.
It is best for you if you undergo the vaccination given the history of heart defect in the first baby.
Yes, I think you need the Rubella vaccine, and use condoms to avoid conception for atleast 3 months.
Take care.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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