Communicable Diseases and Pregnancy
Some diseases can cause problems for the growing baby.
Call your health care provider if you think that you were in contact with any of these diseases:
- Rubella (German measles)
- Chickenpox
- Mumps
- Measles
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Parvovirus (Fifth disease)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV
Who is at a higher risk?
- People who work with children.
- Health care workers.
- People who work in labs or with animals.
- People who travel. Updated travel health notices are available on the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
- People with young children.
How to protect yourself?
- Proper hand washing.
- Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you get pregnant. If they are not, speak to your health care provider.
- Ask your health care provider for a blood test that can tell you if you have protection from rubella before you are pregnant.
- Wait at least 4 weeks after a vaccination for chickenpox and rubella before getting pregnant.
- Some vaccines are not recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, speak to your health care professional before getting the vaccine.
- Some vaccines that are safe to have when you are pregnant:
- Tetanus and Diphtheria
- Influenza (flu shot)
Resources:
- KFL&A Public Health sexual health clinic
- Prenatal education
- Food For You, Food For Two
- Child and Babytalk in KFL&A
- Immunization
Adapted with permission from Ottawa Public Health, Parenting in Ottawa