Measles titer level check?

[Susie]

I need a quick sanity check.  I live about 2 hours from an area with a measles outbreak, that is between where we live and my dad lives.  People from our area travel to and through that area (i.e. toward a larger city) pretty frequently, and both we and my dad end up stopping there when road tripping back and forth.  

Everybody in our immediate family is up to date on MMR vaccines, but I don't actually know exactly when my last one was -- or more specifically I don't know for SURE that my titer levels will show immunity.  They should, but under the circumstances I'd rather have more confidence.  Having a baby who is too young for MMR is making me nervous, and I'd feel a little better if I knew for sure that he was at least starting off with some immunity from me.

Are measles titer levels a crazy thing to ask my OB to check?  I have my 36w appointment later today and am planning to go to Labcorp after, because they told me I'd need to do a repeat CBC at 36w after my CBC at 26w showed low platelets.  Today would be a convenient time if I was going to do it.

[humpforfree]

I feel like they automatically do it when pregnant, so they may have already? But I would definitely still ask anyway!! Not crazy at all, especially right now.

[aprilsails]

This is generally done right at the beginning. I was informed that I’m good for measles and mumps but will need a rubella booster since it apparently didn’t stick (and I had a booster for all three of them less than 10 years ago). I would call your OBs office to check.

[KellyEasterbrook]

I actually received a notice from our local health department that I was exposed to measles at our local rec center during this pregnancy (cue EXTREME paranoia since our last baby had extreme congenital heart defects). I talked at length with my OB about it. They only test for rubella immunity in the beginning of pregnancy (the vaccination for rubella also vaccinates for measles, though). It is assumed that if you were vaccinated as a child against rubella, that you were also vaccinated against measles (I think I've got that right...though I'm obviously no health professional). Long story short, you're most likely fine, but it's totally not crazy to ask for your titer levels to be checked if, at the very last, it'll help your mental health. OR at least talk to your doctor further about it. My OB successfully calmed me down.

[robinsbff]

ask your OB, chances are it was already checked. mine mentioned mine today at my 15 week appt, based on bloodwork done last time around 11/12 weeks.

[Susie]

May 8, 2019 10:55:05 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

This is generally done right at the beginning. I was informed that I’m good for measles and mumps but will need a rubella booster since it apparently didn’t stick (and I had a booster for all three of them less than 10 years ago). I would call your OBs office to check.

I was asking today because I'll be in for an appointment anyway, and also already have to go to the lab for something else.  I know I was checked for varicella immunity in 1st tri, because I called about it after a chicken pox exposure at daycare over the winter.  I may have been checked for other immunities at the same time, but it's not in my Labcorp portal (my OB's office doesn't have a patient portal).  If it was I don't need it again, but I don't see it.

[vlinder]

I’d be interested in knowing what they say. I looked at my lab results from earlier in my pregnancy and it looks like they just checked for Rubella, not mumps or measles.

[hamster]

I had my titers checked at the start of pregnancy, but I don't believe the MMR is safe for pregnancy so you'd have to wait until you deliver if you need one.

I also feel like they checked in the hospital last time.

[raangoli]

I don’t go here but saw on the app.

I had a titer done as part of routine pregnancy blood work. It showed that I was no longer immune. Except the MMR shot is not pregnancy safe so I had to wait until I delivered to get it.

I got it in the hospital 2 days after BB was born.

[brooklyn]

I got mine checked at the beginning of my last pregnancy. I’m also in NYC which has a huge outbreak. Discovered my immunity had worn off, so I got the booster the morning after I delivered.

[knx9211]

I don't know if they checked for the MM, but they definitely checked me for Rubella. My immunity was only borderline so I got a booster right after I delivered as well. Hope your numbers are ok!

[Susie]

May 8, 2019 11:46:34 GMT -5 vlinder said:

I’d be interested in knowing what they say. I looked at my lab results from earlier in my pregnancy and it looks like they just checked for Rubella, not mumps or measles.

Same.  I asked, and they checked for immunity to varicella, hepatitis (B?), rubella, and one other disease in 1st tri, but not measles.  My rubella was fine 6 months ago, but my OB was happy to order a measles titer for me, so I'll know the result in a day or two.  If I need a MMR booster I can get one in about 3 weeks (ha) and if he does not have immunity from me, I want to know that so I can be particularly conservative, and push for DS to get his first MMR earlier than standard.

[dreamcrisp1]

They don’t check for it in pregnancy here but I plan to ask for it done again once baby is born. I’m so concerned about measles.

I don’t think crazy at all to ask for a check.

[Poppy]

FYI, I think the effectiveness is lower if the vaccine is given early (re: getting it for your son).

[Susie]

May 8, 2019 16:09:56 GMT -5 Poppy said:

FYI, I think the effectiveness is lower if the vaccine is given early (re: getting it for your son).

If it's done at 6m, it has to be redone at the normal 12m time, the early one ends up being a bonus one.  But having additional immunity in the intervening 6 months would be worth an extra shot to me, even if insurance doesn't cover it and there are a few extra tears, especially if my titer levels are low.  Maybe even if they're not low, depending on what happens with the outbreak in the next year.