Having measles during pregnancy can increase the chance of serious problems for mom and baby – but can pregnant women receive the measles vaccine? The Measles Protection Decision Tree is an easy-to-use resource designed to help individuals determine if they are protected against measles and understand what steps to take if they need to get an MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. The decision tree provides specific guidance for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding. It walks users through checking their vaccine records, reviewing the number of MMR vaccine doses they need, and understanding when to get vaccinated if needed. This resource is provided by MotherToBaby in collaboration with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

If you have further questions about measles or the MMR vaccine, contact a MotherToBaby specialist.

This Medication Safety Tips sheet, from MotherToBaby and the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, highlights ways to avoid medication mistakes, such as accidentally taking a family member’s or pet’s medications or taking more pills than needed. Guidance on the use of supplements in pregnancy and lactation is also provided.

Key tips include safe storage of medications, setting reminders and checklists, and consulting healthcare providers about which medications and supplements can be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding — especially since herbal products and dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that medications are. Following these medication safety tips can help reduce medication errors and improve overall health and safety.

If you have questions about specific medications or supplements during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, please contact MotherToBaby to discuss benefits and risks.