Rubella Status

BabyN2010 · Mar 3rd, 2010, 11:18 AM

Hi Folks!

Well as part of our baby prep I had a blood test done to check up on my Rubella status (immunity) and today had the jab. I would advise any ladies who are trying to conceive to do the same. Although Rubella (German Measles) is not very common it can have serious effects on an unborn baby especially in the first 3 months. (if you are newly preggers and you were not aware of this - please keep away from children who have rashes and be very cautious when necessary - Your midwife should advise you) Also even though some of you may have been vaccinated as a child or at school - the vaccine can work its way out of your system leaving you without immunity. Its worth checking it out!

But the only down side is you have to wait 4 weeks (was 3 months) after the shot and then you can only start trying again as the vaccine is a live virus! ( just make sure you are not pregnant when you ask for the vaccine!!!!)

Amygdala · Mar 3rd, 2010, 11:31 AM

I've had my rubella checked a while ago and I'm ok (1:512

) but I've had quite a struggle with it. I made an appointment with my gp, specifically for the rubella blood test plus a smear test which was due. After the smear the nurse was ready to send me home. I reminded her that I was also there for the rubella blood test. She asked why I wanted that done. I said to make sure I'm immune in case of a pregnancy.

And she said to come back when I'm pregnant!!!

As BabyN2010 pointed out that is TERRIBLE advice, as it's too late to get a jab when you're pregnant because it's a live vaccine. After some gentle persistence on my part she took a blood sample and I got the test done but I've seriously lost faith in their advice.

Anyway, just wanted to stress that BabyN2010 is right, this is important and if someone tells you otherwise, don't be put off!

rosie5637 · Mar 3rd, 2010, 12:46 PM

i knew that getting rubella when pregnant could be dangerous but i didn't know you could be tested for immunity beforehand. thanks!

i'll ask my doctor about it when i go for my pre pregnancy checkup this month. i'm pretty certain i had rubella as a child (too old for mmr

) actually i think i had every illness going that you can get vaccines for!

do you know if they routinely test for it when they do pregnany blood tests in the uk? cause they might have it on my notes from when i had my first baby if thats the case. i'm guessing they probably don't though cause it was never mentioned to me before.

Amygdala · Mar 3rd, 2010, 13:10 PM

I don't know if they routinely test it (I'd assume so though) but you should get it checked again anyway, as immunity can decrease over time.

mushmouth · Mar 3rd, 2010, 13:42 PM

I Just had my MMR booster a couple weeks back, so I'm going to assume I'll be safe... :S

AmeliePoulain · Mar 3rd, 2010, 16:21 PM

You would get tested to see if you are immune when you get standard pregnancy blood tests done (in the UK) my friend found out she wasnt immune and midwife it made aware and you are advise to get any rashes checked out staight away.

Obviously much better to get your immunity checked before hand!

I got mine checked in December when I went to my GP six months prior to TTC. I had to ask though - doctor would never have mentioned it

calm · Mar 3rd, 2010, 17:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amygdala

I've had my rubella checked a while ago and I'm ok (1:512

) but I've had quite a struggle with it. I made an appointment with my gp, specifically for the rubella blood test plus a smear test which was due. After the smear the nurse was ready to send me home. I reminded her that I was also there for the rubella blood test. She asked why I wanted that done. I said to make sure I'm immune in case of a pregnancy.

And she said to come back when I'm pregnant!!!

As BabyN2010 pointed out that is TERRIBLE advice, as it's too late to get a jab when you're pregnant because it's a live vaccine. After some gentle persistence on my part she took a blood sample and I got the test done but I've seriously lost faith in their advice.

Anyway, just wanted to stress that BabyN2010 is right, this is important and if someone tells you otherwise, don't be put off!

That's terrible!!!!

calm · Mar 3rd, 2010, 17:16 PM

My doctor asked for it in a general blood test without me even knowing just in case I wanted to TTC. The last time she sneaked a look at my folic acid levels , she seems more determined than me that I get ttcing soon as I didn't ask for any of this

Seity · Mar 3rd, 2010, 18:29 PM

I would also like to recommend you get tested now while you are waiting to TTC. They test for the immunity routinely here as part of the blood work when you're pregnant. I found out that I am no longer immune and so I will have to get the MMR shot as soon as I have my baby.

Sooz · Mar 4th, 2010, 06:15 AM

I had my check end of last year and my immunity was fine. The nurse who took the blood said they hardly ever get women going for an immunity check pre-TTC.

Mar 3rd, 2010, 11:18 AM	#1
BabyN2010 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 84	Rubella Status Hi Folks! Well as part of our baby prep I had a blood test done to check up on my Rubella status (immunity) and today had the jab. I would advise any ladies who are trying to conceive to do the same. Although Rubella (German Measles) is not very common it can have serious effects on an unborn baby especially in the first 3 months. (if you are newly preggers and you were not aware of this - please keep away from children who have rashes and be very cautious when necessary - Your midwife should advise you) Also even though some of you may have been vaccinated as a child or at school - the vaccine can work its way out of your system leaving you without immunity. Its worth checking it out! But the only down side is you have to wait 4 weeks (was 3 months) after the shot and then you can only start trying again as the vaccine is a live virus! ( just make sure you are not pregnant when you ask for the vaccine!!!!)

Status: Offline

Mar 3rd, 2010, 11:31 AM	#2
Amygdala Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3,085	I've had my rubella checked a while ago and I'm ok (1:512) but I've had quite a struggle with it. I made an appointment with my gp, specifically for the rubella blood test plus a smear test which was due. After the smear the nurse was ready to send me home. I reminded her that I was also there for the rubella blood test. She asked why I wanted that done. I said to make sure I'm immune in case of a pregnancy. And she said to come back when I'm pregnant!!! As BabyN2010 pointed out that is TERRIBLE advice, as it's too late to get a jab when you're pregnant because it's a live vaccine. After some gentle persistence on my part she took a blood sample and I got the test done but I've seriously lost faith in their advice. Anyway, just wanted to stress that BabyN2010 is right, this is important and if someone tells you otherwise, don't be put off!

Status: Offline

Mar 3rd, 2010, 12:46 PM	#3
rosie5637 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 694	i knew that getting rubella when pregnant could be dangerous but i didn't know you could be tested for immunity beforehand. thanks! i'll ask my doctor about it when i go for my pre pregnancy checkup this month. i'm pretty certain i had rubella as a child (too old for mmr) actually i think i had every illness going that you can get vaccines for! do you know if they routinely test for it when they do pregnany blood tests in the uk? cause they might have it on my notes from when i had my first baby if thats the case. i'm guessing they probably don't though cause it was never mentioned to me before.

Status: Offline

Mar 3rd, 2010, 13:10 PM	#4
Amygdala Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3,085	I don't know if they routinely test it (I'd assume so though) but you should get it checked again anyway, as immunity can decrease over time.

Status: Offline

Mar 3rd, 2010, 13:42 PM	#5
mushmouth Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Bromwich, UK Posts: 7,690	I Just had my MMR booster a couple weeks back, so I'm going to assume I'll be safe... :S

Status: Offline

Mar 3rd, 2010, 16:21 PM	#6
AmeliePoulain Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oxfordshire : ) Posts: 8,727	You would get tested to see if you are immune when you get standard pregnancy blood tests done (in the UK) my friend found out she wasnt immune and midwife it made aware and you are advise to get any rashes checked out staight away. Obviously much better to get your immunity checked before hand! I got mine checked in December when I went to my GP six months prior to TTC. I had to ask though - doctor would never have mentioned it

Status: Offline

Mar 3rd, 2010, 17:16 PM	#8
calm Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,970	My doctor asked for it in a general blood test without me even knowing just in case I wanted to TTC. The last time she sneaked a look at my folic acid levels , she seems more determined than me that I get ttcing soon as I didn't ask for any of this

Status: Online

Mar 3rd, 2010, 18:29 PM	#9
Seity Other BnB Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 12,807	I would also like to recommend you get tested now while you are waiting to TTC. They test for the immunity routinely here as part of the blood work when you're pregnant. I found out that I am no longer immune and so I will have to get the MMR shot as soon as I have my baby.

Status: Offline

Mar 4th, 2010, 06:15 AM	#10
Sooz Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 9,918	I had my check end of last year and my immunity was fine. The nurse who took the blood said they hardly ever get women going for an immunity check pre-TTC.

Status: Online

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