Rubella

[MrsTwinks]

Planning on TTC in the new year, and I've just called to try and get a blood test to check my immunity to be told they don't do it. I'm not even sure I had my MMR, my mum a bit new-age and I know I'm missing ALOT of jabs because of that and moving abroad.

Because of being abroad I have about 8 years of medical notes missing too, so no way to check I even had it so she agreed to get the nurse to call me to "talk" about it but does anyone have any experience of this? I work with kids all day so IMO have a greater risk of exposure but what if they won't check/give me the jab again? Is it possible to have it done privately??

I'm sure you can pay to have it done privately.

I had it done as part of fertility investigations but for me it is a pointless waste of money. I am nearly 36 and I'm not going to stop ttc for the 4 months required to have it if I am no longer immune.

Even if you have had the vaccine in childhood it doesn't always mean you will still be immune later in life. Your hospital should do it for you as it can be quite dangerous to the baby if you get rubella during pregnancy, so I'd say it's pretty irresponsible to deny you the test.

If you mean they don't do it at your GP's surgery, get your GP to give you a blood test form to request the test from your local hospital.

It is obviously much less of an issue if you don't tend to be around kids much as it is generally something you'd catch from children. ie. If you're a school teacher, or have a child already who is likely to come into contact with it at school then it's a good idea to have it.

I didn't know about Rubella and pregnancy when I first got pregnant and when I miscarried my first pregnancy I decided, like euro not to have it done because of time constraints and my age but then, when I lost my second pregnancy and knew that I wanted to have a break for a few months to get my head together I decided to get tested, and then vaccinated as a result of finding out I was no longer immune. I have a friend who's sister is deaf and dumb as a result of her mum catching Rubella during pregnancy so if you do tend to come into contact with kids a fair amount I would say it's definitely a good thing to do.

I spoke to the receptionist at the surgery asking for an appointment or "whatever they do" in regards to checking my immunity as I know it can wear off as well (I've been doing my TTC homework :) ) and she reacted like I was asking for them to give me a head transplant. I had to pretty much beg -using the I may never have even had it line - to get her to agree to check with the nurse and get back to me.

So was beginning to feel like maybe I was being totally over worrying or something. But like I said I work with kids all day, physical contact, so do think it would be in my future bumps best interests to have to checked/done before we start.

TBH was talking to DH and he suggested changing surgery, as this isnt the first time the gatekeepers receptionists have decided to ignore me wanting to see someone.

Ok, she is a receptionist. She should have no professional opinion about this. I hate some medical receptionists for this very reason. It's not their place to advise on pretty much most medical matters.

I recommend this approach...

You - "Please can I make an appointment with (insert name of GP here)?"

Her - "Can I ask what it's for?"

You - " No, fuck off I'd rather not say thanks"

Then discuss it with an actual doctor not some jumped up receptionist that thinks she is qualified to give an opinion on something she clearly knows nothing about!

I might try if I don't hear back from the nurse, its just awkward enough to get a booked appointment with the doctor rather than a "ring up at 8am and pray" one, so was trying to go straight to the nurse (who i know takes the bloods) as those appointments are easier to get.