AOS - Medical Examination whilst pregnant

[asdfghjkl 0]

I sent in my AOS package on 23rd Jul and received a RFE for the medical examination just this past week. I am currently 18 weeks pregnant and I am worried about the medical examination, can anyone help me out with the following questions please:

1. Is it OK for pregnant women to undergo the TST test? I was given BCG as a child in the UK so I think this may result in a false positive, can I ask for a waiver based on this? I think the TST will come back positive and I will be required to take a chest X-ray but I dont want to take any X-rays or medicines whilst I am pregnant - Can this result in a delay in the application process

2. Although I have received the required childhood vaccinations, I am not able to obtain any proof of this, my GP does not have any records and some of the vaccinations were given in school so these records are not available either. What can I do to prove I have received the required vaccinations?

3. In case I am required to have vaccinations and this is deferred to until after the baby comes, will this hold up my application?

4. I am currently in the US on H1b visa but the AOS application was done with my husband as a sponsor since I want to quit my job once the baby comes. If my application is held up because of vaccinations, does this mean that I have to go back to the UK? Or am I ok to stay in the US until I get either an acceptance or a rejection on my application.

Sorry for all the questions, but I am really worried that the process will be drawn out because of the pregnancy.

Thanks very much.

PD

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The Civil Surgeon knows what precautions to take for the pregnancy. There are certain waivers for pregnancy and different protocol. You must complete the medical exam; you cannot waive it altogether. If you refuse to do the medical exam, your AOS will be denied and you will waste money on it and have to go home. The RFE you got should have an expiration date. You must respond with the results of the medical exam before that point. The medical exam will not harm your baby.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[asdfghjkl 0]

The Civil Surgeon knows what precautions to take for the pregnancy. There are certain waivers for pregnancy and different protocol. You must complete the medical exam; you cannot waive it altogether. If you refuse to do the medical exam, your AOS will be denied and you will waste money on it and have to go home. The RFE you got should have an expiration date. You must respond with the results of the medical exam before that point. The medical exam will not harm your baby.

Thanks for your response. I suppose my main concern is if I am unable to take the required vaccinations until after my baby is born, would this result in a delay in my application being approved?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thanks for your response. I suppose my main concern is if I am unable to take the required vaccinations until after my baby is born, would this result in a delay in my application being approved?

No, there is a waiver for "contraindicated for pregnancy" if the vaccine might harm you or your baby. But, you don't get to decide. If the vaccine is safe for pregnancy, you'll need it. If it is not safe, the doctor can waive it.

If you refuse a safe vaccine or other safe medical treatment, then your AOS will be denied. If you need an X-ray they have a belly shield for pregnant women.

If you don't have your previous medical records, the doctor will either take verbal confirmation based on knowledge of your country's medical practices or perform a blood titre test to see what antibodies you have.

I really think you are worrying over nothing, and now you have an RFE with a limited time to respond. If you had done this earlier there would be less pressure. Plenty of pregnant people get this exam done - the doctors know what to do. They are, after all, doctors with extra special training for this exam and this responsibility to ensure public health.

Edit The best thing to do would be to call a Civil Surgeon and have them walk you through the requirements to make you feel more at ease.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[Kabbage 1]

Getting proof of previous vaccinations...

I had vaccinations at school in the UK but my TB/BCG was missing from the records held by my GP. To get evidence of it I had to call the clinic closest to the school where I had it done. They told me records were held centrally in the town and gave me a number - I called them and they were able to find my records and send a copy to my GP who was then able to update my main records. The record of me having the vaccination was about 10 years old when I managed to find it, a few years ago when I needed the evidence for an au pair visa. Hope this helps!

[ac22 0]

The surgeon will give you a Tetanus Toxoid shot...Like what i had..so that you can pass a vaccination record.

[asdfghjkl 0]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Just thought I'd provide an update. I had my Medical Examination on Saturday. It was fairly straightforward. I had my blood taken and was administered a PPD test. The nurse said this was safe to do during pregnancy.

The Civil Surgeon then came in and went through my paperwork. I had brought my blood work from my OB/Gyn which helped rule out some of the Vaccines i had no evidence for, such as Varicella. The only thing I was able to obtain from the UK was information on boosters for Tetanus and polio. So the CS said I'd need to get a booster for the tetanus (since its been more than 10 years since I got the last booster) and also the MMR. I pointed out that I was 20 weeks pregnant and he said in that case I shouldn't take the MMR until after the baby is born but the tetanus should be safe to take during pregnancy.

The blood work done by my Ob/gyn showed that I had immunity to Rubella and since I have no evidence that I'd received a vaccine for mumps and measles (this was back when the combination vaccine wasn't given). I was concerned about taking MMR whilst I will be breast-feeding so the CS suggested adding a test for detecting MMR in the blood work - cost us an extra $75 but hopefully it'll be worth it if it proves i have immunity to Mumps and measles as well.

I am going to have my PPD test read today - hope all goes well, I am still concerned that this will mess up my application but we'll see what happens.

I have another unrelated question: I filed for an EAD as well. Does receiving an RFE put a stop to processing the application entirely, including the EAD?

thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Glad you got it worked out. See, they know what to do.

If you get a RFE your whole case is paused in most instances, yes.