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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

TTC aged 41, GP has ordered rubella test, I’m confused

20 replies

anotherpotoftea · 25/08/2022 21:18

I’m 41 and know very little about pregnancy or conception because until recently it didn’t seem like it would be possible for health reasons (long story). We’re now in a position to TTC and really don’t want to hang about given age and my very loudly ticking biological clock!

I’ve had a good chat with my GP after asking advice about a couple of things that were relevant to ask her about. She’s ordered a blood test to check for rubella immunity because she said it would be best to check before I get pregnant in case I need another vaccination (I had the MMR when young). I just assumed it was something everyone had. But I’ve now searched MN and I’m confused after finding this thread which suggests it’s not now common to be tested for it then I also found this thread which suggests it is a big deal.

Any idea why she might have ordered this? Is it to do with my age? (I can ask my GP whenever I next see her but that might not be for a while.)

She said ideally don’t get pregnant before having this but if it happens it happens. I really don’t want to wait to TTC, especially as I’ve seen signs I’m ovulating, and I’m half hoping her saying ‘ideally don’t get pregnant yet’ will ironically mean it happens super quickly, but can’t tell if that would be a big risk. Very confused. Any advice gratefully received!

OP posts:

Waitwhat23 · 25/08/2022 21:39

I was told that the issue is that the recommended second dose of the MMR wasn't brought in until 1988 or 1989 so women who received their jabs before then would have only had one dose.

I had to have the MMR before my fertility clinic would even schedule my appointment as I also couldn't prove my vaccination status (long story) and I think it's an important thing to do, even if it means a couple of months of delay.

Rowen32 · 25/08/2022 23:07

I always think in these cases it's better to be safe than sorry and I never want to be in a position of thinking 'what if' even if the chances are ridiculously low - it sounds like your GP is good and thorough :-)

BirdsBirdsBird · 25/08/2022 23:11

I'm a few years older than you and had the Rubella jab when I was at secondary school (still had the card for it in my medical folder). When I got pregnant with DD they checked for rubella immunity and found that I wasn't immune. It did cause some worry during the pregnancy, particularly when I had a rashy illness (fortunately not rubella). If I could go back in time I would definitely have the test before getting pregnant, and make sure I had top up immunisations if necessary.

Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

Original poster

anotherpotoftea · 26/08/2022 07:03

Thanks folks. I’ve checked my immunisation history (found I could see it on the NHS app) and I appear to have had a rubella jab in 1992, so definitely appreciate being able to check my status. Booking the blood test asap, just hope I can get in fairly quickly!

OP posts:

Decaffe · 26/08/2022 15:37

Despite having had the MMR, my IVF clinic has made me have a booster jab before being referred. (I was told to abstain that month but I did tons of research and decided it would be ok to TTC.)

Original poster

anotherpotoftea · 26/08/2022 15:39

Thanks everyone. Have managed to get the blood test booked in for early Sept.

OP posts:

Boomboom22 · 26/08/2022 15:41

I had all the jabs as a child but had to have rubella again every pregnancy as I don't hold the immunity. 18 month gap so only 9 months not pregnant and I'd list immunity again, so guess some people just don't stay immune

Original poster

anotherpotoftea · 26/08/2022 15:45

Boomboom22 · 26/08/2022 15:41

So did you have the jabs before you started TTC each time or during your pregnancies? Sorry I’m probably being dim asking this!

OP posts:

Original poster

anotherpotoftea · 26/08/2022 15:46

I just really don’t want to delay TTC because we have so little time left. But should probably hang on for my rubella status by the sounds of it.

GP said if it does happen before we’ve sorted the rubella then we’ll manage, rather than a blanket ‘stop trying until then’.

OP posts:

hewouldwouldnthe · 26/08/2022 15:49

I had the jab after 1st pregnancy but it was negative again after the second. they don't always take. Just carry on and get the test to see if you are at risk but without small DC and hopefully, not a job involving children, your risk is low. You have to wait a certain time post jab to conceive so it will be several weeks.

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 26/08/2022 15:50

I'd say it just depends on your last vaccine. I'm 30 and all the girls my year all got rubella vaccine top ups when were about 14 or so but I don't know when that was brought in.

TheClitterati · 26/08/2022 15:57

I think your GP is being very through OP. Nothing to worry about.

I was immunised for rubella age 12.
Tested during PG1 age 40 - immunity.
Tested during PG2 age 43 - no immunity.

There were local rubella outbreaks at the time, loads of kids not vaccinated and it was stressful time for me worried about catching rubella while PG.

NHS routinely test PG women for rubella immunity but nothing can be done until after the baby is born if you have lost immunity.

To test now at these early stages is a good plan & you can now get vaccinated again.

pennysarah · 26/08/2022 16:24

I had my mmr pre pregnancy (as I knew I hadn't had it) and again after 2x babies - I kept testing negative for antibodies. Don't worry. It used to be standard to check for rubella antibodies but they are moving away from doing this in some areas as there is such a low incidence of rubella.

pennysarah · 26/08/2022 16:28

Also fwiw the mmr vaccine info says wait for 1 month after vaccine to ttc. Some clinicians used to recommend 3 months but that's not necessary according to vaccine information sheet I had.

Soubriquet · 26/08/2022 16:29

I actually found i has no immunity to rubella after I had my ds (my 2nd child). Had to have a whole new dose of it before I left hospital

pennysarah · 26/08/2022 16:32

If I was 41 and ttc I wouldn't wait unless I was in an area or job with a higher risk of being exposed to rubella.

Idunnowhatsgoingon · 26/08/2022 16:58

Slightly off topic but what's this app where you can see your immunisation history? I want to try that!

Original poster

anotherpotoftea · 26/08/2022 17:31

pennysarah · 26/08/2022 16:32

If I was 41 and ttc I wouldn't wait unless I was in an area or job with a higher risk of being exposed to rubella.

Thanks so much everyone. I’m not a high-risk job and can WFH lots.

@Idunnowhatsgoingon it’s just the main NHS app that you can use for things like ordering repeat prescriptions. I don’t know if everyone can see the same things on there. I went to Your health > Your GP health record > Immunisations. I think you can maybe also get the same information by logging into the NHS website if you have a login set up.

OP posts:

Idunnowhatsgoingon · 26/08/2022 18:25

Hmm my app for repeat prescriptions isn't called nhs and I can't see anything about my health or any records.

I searched and downloaded the nhs app and tried to log in. Says my postcode should be in England, Wales or the Isle of Man. Guessing I can't get it in Scotland then.. 😒

eeeeeeeeee · 30/08/2022 22:22

I was tested for immunity late in my pregnancy and found to have no immunity - and I've had all my MMR jabs in childhood. The reason they worry is because of how dangerous Rubella is to contract during pregnancy. To the point that they jabbed me before letting me go home with baby just in case I fell pregnant again quickly.

I think you are right to wait until you get another jab. Of all the routine jabs we get, this one is probably the most important illness to prevent during pregnancy. Good luck TTC when you do.

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