Rubella and toxoplasmosis

[minipilling]

I am preparing to TTC next month and currently a bit worried about rubella risk. I had at least one MMR when I was young but not sure if I had the booster (born 1985) and obviously this doesn't guarantee immunity anyway.

Also toxoplasmosis - I have two cats but they are indoor and always have been. However I also foster cats and kittens for a charity, and most of these are feral kittens, strays or abandoned cats. So I am concerned about my exposure in this sense. I do not deal with the litter trays of any cats and haven't for about a year, but I do cuddle, groom etc.

Spoke to my GP about immunity tests for rubella and toxoplasmosis and she they weren't doing that sort of thing right now due to the pandemic. I could probably get an MMR, but then I would need to wait another three months to TTC and time isn't really on my side.

FWIW, due to Covid I am practically shielding (chronic health condition), I work from home and DH is as well. He goes to the shops a couple of times a week but that's it right now. No visitors (family live elsewhere and are also vulnerable). So less chance of contracting rubella from anyone if pregnant. I'd limit my outings to hospital appointments as far as possible.

What would you do in my situation, would you still be concerned? GP seems to think my risk is extremely low in both cases, so I can get away without tests or MMR update.

I think maybe you are overthinking it a little bit. I’m 21 weeks and found out through routine blood tests at 12 weeks that I’m not Rubella immune due to not having the vaccine as a child. My midwife isn’t concerned at all and just told me to stay clear of anyone who has rubella. I’ll get the vaccine when I’m still in hospital after having the baby. Like you, I work from home and have been careful during the pandemic but I’m not limiting myself to not visiting the shops or meeting up with friends in a socially distanced way. I also have an indoor cat and I don’t change the litter but still groom and cuddle her.

I honestly wouldn’t put off ttc because of not being sure about immunity. It was mentioned once by my midwife and it seemed quite routine. Once you are pregnant you’ll be able to talk to your midwife and hopefully they’ll put your mind at ease.

I would ask you doctor's surgery about if you've had enough MMR. I know you won't be given it in pregnancy so as rubella is so dangerous best to get up to date before. I had a toxoplasmosis antibody test before my first pregnancy. Despite eating many many almost raw steaks and volunteering at a native wildlife hospital for years I had never had toxoplasmosis so could get it in pregnancy. The doctor just told me to make sure I washed my hands well, especially before eating at the wildlife hospital. My house cats and their litter trays weren't a problem as they don't hunt. You should wear gloves when you garden as other cats poo in the soil. Touching feral cats would be fine but try not to deal with their litter trays (or if you do wear PPE and wash hands after).

Your cats are unlikely to be infected as they have always been indoors.