Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do you know your blood type?

205 replies

AnneLovesGilbert · 05/05/2021 15:02

DH didn’t have a clue but had a blood test at the GP today so asked in passing and was told they don’t have it on your digital records and despite having had two operations last year they don’t know. He’d never thought to ask anyone before.

I always thought mine was the same as both my parents, found out from some paperwork before a surgery it was different.

Neither of us can give blood but maybe if you can you know through that?

OP posts:
ChippyDucks150 · 05/05/2021 15:53

I'm B+. I found out when I was 18 and gave blood, in fact they ended up sending me an enamel badge with it on. No idea where it is now.

ivfgottwins · 05/05/2021 15:57

I do but only after I had an emergency c section and they had to have blood ready in case of a transfusion

My twins spent 3 weeks in intensive care - when they were discharged I asked about their blood types as mine happens to be one of the rarer ones and wanted to see if either of them had inherited it and despite lots and lots of blood tests being done on them they didn't do their blood group - apparently not a requirement and doctor said it's something that we don't really need to know unless its an emergency 🤷‍♀️

NotAQueef · 05/05/2021 15:57

Yes. I'm A- (same as my Mum, and my DD). I found out when I gave blood, and again when I was pregnant as needed anti-d injections

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
BashfulClam · 05/05/2021 16:00

I’m a blood donor with a rare blood type. It’s on my donor card. I get asked to come along and give blood all the time.

SimonJT · 05/05/2021 16:07

Yes I do, I did once ask a doctor why it isn’t on medical records and she said it was because your blood type would be tested anyway in the event of needing blood products/you’d get O negative (I think thats the one).

LondonJax · 05/05/2021 16:11

I found out when I gave blood for the first time many moons ago. AB neg.

MelissaVonStressel · 05/05/2021 16:21

O+ from giving blood. I only remember from ER when they talk about "hanging a unit of O-neg on the rapid infuser" and that I'm not that one!

MarmaladeToastAndAMarmaladeCat · 05/05/2021 16:28

I found mine out when I was tested in my first pregnancy. I had several transfusions during the birth so massive thanks to all the donors out there. DH only found his out when he donated blood for the first time.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 05/05/2021 16:29

Yes I'm B+, if you have your maternity notes or red books anywhere it should be in there.

KeepSmiling89 · 05/05/2021 16:31

I only know from giving blood that I'm O+. My DH doesn't know his type though and won't find out by giving blood as he's not great with needles.

jupitermars1345 · 05/05/2021 16:32

Found out which blood group I am when I was pregnant with my first
B+

My other half found out his after he donated blood for the first time
A+

Triffid1 · 05/05/2021 16:33

@SimonJT

Yes I do, I did once ask a doctor why it isn’t on medical records and she said it was because your blood type would be tested anyway in the event of needing blood products/you’d get O negative (I think thats the one).
Yes, O- is a universal donor and therefore the most valuable blood type for blood donation - it's the one they use in emergency rooms when they don't have time to find out actual blood type of the patient (it's about 9-10% of the population so not the rarest, but definitely the most valuable). A- (and possibly one other?) are most valuable for platelet donation.
MusicMenu · 05/05/2021 16:34

I have been a blood donor in the last so I could look it up, but I don't actually know. It's one of the more unusual ones, I'd remember if it was O. It's got an A or a B (possibly both?) and either- or + Grin

Tambora · 05/05/2021 16:34

I'm O+ and I've know for so long I can't remember how I found out.

Roselilly36 · 05/05/2021 16:36

I am O neg, found out when pregnant with DS1.

BelleBlueBell · 05/05/2021 16:39

@romdowa

I only found out this year at 32 because I'm pregnant. I'm o+ which is really good as a universal donor but sadly I cant give blood.
No need to feel that you're missing out as O+ isn't the universal donor type, it's O- Smile

I've noticed this same thread a few times recently, I wonder if covid is making people more aware that they don't know their blood group

emmathedilemma · 05/05/2021 16:39

I never knew until i gave blood and then they sent me a pin badge with it on. Don't ask me what it is though......

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 05/05/2021 16:40

O+. I know because I'm a blood donor. Not quite a universal donor, as it couldn't go to anyone who's Rhesus Negative, but not bad. OTOH, I think I would have to receive O - not A, B or AB. Is AB the universal recipient? Not sure how Rhesus status affects that.

A really lovely thing the Blood Transfusion Service does now is to send me a text telling me when my donation is used and where. Usually takes a few weeks after the donation.

YellowGlasses · 05/05/2021 16:41

@ivfgottwins

I do but only after I had an emergency c section and they had to have blood ready in case of a transfusion

My twins spent 3 weeks in intensive care - when they were discharged I asked about their blood types as mine happens to be one of the rarer ones and wanted to see if either of them had inherited it and despite lots and lots of blood tests being done on them they didn't do their blood group - apparently not a requirement and doctor said it's something that we don't really need to know unless its an emergency 🤷‍♀️

Which country are you in? In the U.K. it’s standard to test every woman in her first trimester to know her blood group and it’s nothing to do with labour, but about potential rhesus +/- for the baby.
Finzi · 05/05/2021 16:41

I only found out when I had a miscarriage (first pregnancy) because it turned out I was O- so needed anti-D.

Original poster
AnneLovesGilbert · 05/05/2021 16:41

Mum said she and dad are both A+ so assumed all of us children were the same but I’m actually O+.

OP posts:
AlwaysLatte · 05/05/2021 16:42

Red.
Seriously, I don't know!

NiceTwin · 05/05/2021 16:43

Mine is written on my cot card from when I was born, late 60's in Wales.
I also know it from donating blood since I was 18.

WhatHaveIFound · 05/05/2021 16:44

I'm A-
First found out when I was pregnant but have since given blood. Now at 34 donations!

DH and DC have no idea what blood group they are.

bimbimbap · 05/05/2021 16:44

I haven’t rtft so this may already have been mentioned, but you can order a kit online to test your blood type at home - it’s a fun experiment!

Swipe left for the next trending thread