Why is the rubella screening important?

Birth defects: Rubella is the german measles. Women who get rubella during pregnancy can have babies with deafness, mental retardation and infection with rubella at birth which can be lethal. Rubella can be prevented by a vaccine. Any woman who gets tested and isn't immune during her pregnancy is recommended to get the vaccine postpartum.

Congenital rubella: If you don't have immunity against rubella, you can easily contract it from any children around your, who might be just slightly symptomatic. In this case the chance of getting your fetus infected and run multiple complications from congenital rubella syndrome, is very high. This vaccination is also required in many hospitals not only for the future moms but as well for staff.