test for Rubella antibodies before TTC?
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Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
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Topic: test for Rubella antibodies before TTC?
Posted By: Nikfras
Subject: test for Rubella antibodies before TTC?
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 7:16pm
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hey all,
Just wanted to get an idea on how many of you got tested for Rubella Antibodies before you started trying to conceive? Thanks heaps 
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Replies:
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 7:53pm
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I didn't. I went to my doc and asked what I needed to do beforehand, but she was useless. She said I didn't need to do anything. I even had to ask specifically for a folic acid script. I have had rubella, however. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nikfras
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 8:07pm
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thanks T_Rex
I have been to the doc too and I asked her about checking my antibodies and she said its not really an issue and not to worry about it. But since that I have read some things that have made me think I should have had it done. My doctor seemed pretty blase about the whole thing also. |
Posted By: DTBW
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 8:56pm
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I could it done in a set of bloods... demand what you want ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 9:05pm
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I didn't beforehand, as we weren't actively TTC but I showed up with low immunity at the routine bloods that were done when my pregnancy was confirmed. I couldn't have the injection for Rubella whilst pregnant but have received a letter from my doc telling me to come in and get it checked (apparently it can show up as low immunity even if you don't have low immunity) and if it's still low then I'll get the jab.
Basically, I was just warned to stay away from young babies (under 2yo) or anywhere that I knew of where Rubella was iygwim. Easier said than done if you ask me! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Staffylicious
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 9:23pm
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I got it done, simple blood test and one less thing to worry about. ------------- TTC # 1 ~ 2 & 1/2 years Unexplained Infertility Clomid ~ 12 Cycles ~ BFN IUI ~ BFN IVF ~ BFP & 12 frosties [URL=http://lilypie.com][IMG]http://lbdf.lilypie.com/s4HAp12.png][/URL] |
Posted By: MakeItWork
Date Posted: 07 December 2010 at 9:37pm
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My doc is pretty laid back but Rubella was one thing she said was important. For the sake of one blood test it is worth the peace of mind. If you contract it whilst pregnant it can be extremely harmful and if it can be prevented then I say it's worth it. If you do need the vaccine however it is worth knowing that you are advised not to conceive for 3 months after.
This could be a useful link for you: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/immunisation-diseasesandvaccines-rubella ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  TTC Since Oct 10 - PCOS Our beautiful girl sadly born sleeping April 2012 |
Posted By: LadyBee
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 7:59am
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I had it tested at the 1yr mark TTC when I got a whole lot of bloods done to check my hormones etc
I would go to your GP say your TTC get a script for folic and ask for a BT to check  ------------- TTC for 4 1/2 years IVF #1 - April 2012 short BFP, no frosties IVF #2 - August 2012, BFP!! 3 frosties! http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 9:17am
| I got tested before TTC. My dr said it was standard. |
Posted By: CarleyRose
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 9:45am
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My doc said mine was a lil low, but not too worry too much about it and get it checked again in a year or so,maybe a should go and get the jab anyway?! ------------- TTC Sept08 July10 FS APP ICSI#1 BFN-No frosties ICSI#2 BFN-2 Frosties FET-8th August - BFP 20/8/12 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: monkeys
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 9:49am
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My Dr tested for it to -------------  3 little Angels July 10, May 11, Apr 13
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 10:09am
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I went to the Dr before TTC too and was just told to take folic acid. Wasn't till after I was pregnant that I had the blood test, which showed I was still immune anyway, phew! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: _H_
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 10:09am
| Im only getting mine done because im going to FA. I have been to 4 doctors before now and none of them sent me for the test! |
Posted By: SuzyMG
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 12:16pm
Hi Nikfras, I'm a bit of a lurker, but have an answer to your query so thought I'd post :-) Your doctor *should* have told you about pregnancy bloods - this is a standard set of blood tests done (from one blood test appointment) before you TTC. From memory, it includes checks for Blood type, Rhesus anti bodies, Thyroid function, red/white blood cell count, immunity to Rubella, and HIV. There were probably other things but that's just off the top of my head :-) Maybe try another doc, explain that you're about to TTC, and would like the pre-pregnancy bloods done. They *should* know what you're referring to. Good luck! |
Nikfras wrote:Posted By: SuzyMG
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 12:20pm
Oh, one more thing - I assume your doc hasn't told you this either... 
The recommended daily dosage of folic acid for pregnant/TTC women is 800mcg. In NZ the over the counter stuff generally comes in 400mcg per day dosage. 400-600mcg is the absolute bare minimum recommended per day. I just take 2 of these tablets per day to get my 800mcg. Hope this helps
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Posted By: monkeys
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 12:33pm
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Just on the folic acid - if you are going to the dr, ask them for a script for it - that way you get the 800mg and it's heaps cheaper! ------------- 3 little Angels July 10, May 11, Apr 13
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 12:33pm
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I didnt even know about that when I was TTC , but I did notice on my notes after my first lot of AN bloods, that I am Immune. ------------- |
Posted By: Nikfras
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 1:52pm
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Gosh it seems like there is a huge dived between what GP's check on!! I can't believe it really.
When I asked my doc about the test for rubella she said nah you get tested when you come for your first bloods when you are actually UTD. Pretty poor really  Im going to book another doc and ask them to do it.
Thanks for all your advice, Oh also have been taking folic acid for a few weeks now so all good in that department. |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 3:47pm
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I would have thought that if you were actively TTC, adn your doc knew that they would send you to get tested considering it can be life threatening to the baby if you come into contact with anyone who has it... ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: heaf3
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 4:55pm
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Yep i got tested, knew about it beforehand and decided to do it, that way if i needed the jab i had to wait another couple of months and would have rather that then come into contact with someone who had rubella and risk harm to the baby..
I didn't however ask for it, but when i went to my docs and said we were going to ttc what do i need to do he gave me a folic acid script and said i needed to go get bloods done which will test iron, rubella etc etc. if he hadn't said anything i would have mentioned it. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Nikfras
Date Posted: 08 December 2010 at 6:27pm
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I spoke to the medical centre recepionist and she is going to check with the doc. I may not have to go back to see the doctor again just pick up the script to get the blood test done.
Also found out that you can request your own tests directly from medlab but there is a charge of about $30. I never knew you could request your own with out the doctor...but I guess the problem might arise when you get the results and can't actually read or understand what it means
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