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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want blood for Christmas?

109 replies

lochnessmumster · 23/12/2010 19:16

This is my second AIBU of the night so maybe I am but...
My wee one was born with rhesus disease and needed a transfusion in utero then a further 2 transfusions once she was born.
To cut a long story short, if other people hadn't given blood, my baby girl wouldn't have survived.
I can't give blood myself now because of the antibodies left from the whole rhesus thing so i asked only the really close relatives not to buy me a prezzie this year but to give blood instead.
So far no one has done it, not even her Dad, and i don't think they will.
Am I asking too much?

OP posts:
Pantofino · 23/12/2010 19:43

I have in the past, but the Belgian's don't want my English blood as it is most likely tainted with Mad Cow Disease. Sad

CuppaTeaJanice · 23/12/2010 19:45

It was on the news yesterday about the nhs needing O type blood, and I realised I knew nothing about the differences between bloods.

This article is really interesting and explains it clearly.

I'm ashamed to say I've never given blood either - I have a history of passing out after blood loss and ending up in hospital on a rehydration drip, so I'm scared I'll just cause more trouble than benefit for the nhs. MIL has given over 50 units though, so as a family we're doing ok!!

I've heard something about donating platelets, where they take blood from one arm, remove the platelets and put the blood back into the other arm. Does anybody know anything about this? I'd love to be able to donate something, even if it can't be blood.

IAmReallyFabNow · 23/12/2010 19:46

I used to give blood on a regular basis but when I tried again they said no because of the medication I was on.

Original poster
lochnessmumster · 23/12/2010 19:46

ChoudeBruxelles- Things went wrong because there was blood cross over between me and my baby before i had my anti d jags.
This was despite having had a baby already and having had all of the anti d during that pregnancy and after my 1st baby was born.
We were a bit of a medical mystery as no one knows when the cross over happened or why previous anti d jags didn't protect us.
Rhesue disease is pretty rare now so we had every expert on the case curious to see what was happening.

OP posts:
Panzee · 23/12/2010 19:48

I am not squeamish in the slightest but I had a terrible experience giving blood. It took them forever to find a vein and it hurt like hell. I couldn't get a decent flow going and it took so long to get a bagful. Then I passed out. I'm very frightened to do it again.

mugggletoeandwine · 23/12/2010 19:51

I don't weigh enough to give blood.
I find this rather stupid. I'm perfectly fine, and I doubt a bit of blood that I'd given would kill me, but I still can't.Xmas Confused

ChoudeBruxelles · 23/12/2010 19:52

Just looked at that article CuppaTea. Never realised my O- blood was so versatile. Pain in the arse when pregnant and bleeding frequently though.

Sufi · 23/12/2010 19:55

I have given blood, can't right now (am pg) but promise I will again as soon as I'm able - I haven't for a while and your post, OP, has given me a bit of a kick up the backside to mske the time after the baby is born! (I have also had the 'half bag' experience - have v low blood pressure, which I suspect doesn't help - but it didn't hurt one tiny bit, never does).

YANBU. Glad you & your LO are OK.

TheFallenMadonna · 23/12/2010 19:55

That used to happen to me too Panzee. In fact, several times they had to stop bnefore they got the bagful because time was up. And I didn't get credited for those on my little card.

Now I'm not allowed to give blood, because I had a transfusion after a big PPH when DS was born. So I feel it was worth doing.

DH is O neg - he feels very special now Grin

FrostyPhlebas · 23/12/2010 20:01

YANBU, my children have ABO incompatibility which is a haemolytic anaemia similar to Rhesus disease but usually much less severe. My eldest dc was so anaemic as a result that she needed blood.

I can't donate because of my weird antibodies and previous blood products but dh has been donating regularly for nearly 20 year now.

lillybloom · 23/12/2010 20:02

I have always wanted to give blood but so far haven't. Pre dc it was because I was too light and since dc1 its because I have been trying for a baby or pregnant. No more babies for me now so my NY resolution is to donate. I'm going to force dh to come along aswell.

Ormirian · 23/12/2010 20:04

Fantastic idea!

I will finally get round to giving some of mine asap. If I could I'd gift wrap it for you Grin

curlymama · 23/12/2010 20:06

YABU to expect people to give blood just because you have said that you want them to for Christmas., whatever your reason. Lots of people find it a horrible experience, even if they don't have a needle phobia and would do it if it was going to save their life.

YANBU to encourage people though. I'm happy to do it, and do regularly, but my DH would really hate it. It is unfair and unkind to ask someone to do something like that, people shouldn't have to feel pressure to do it if they don't want to.

Stylelostinlabour · 23/12/2010 20:10

Oh right off to book an appointment I'm RNegative something or other - one of the rare ones I'm told.

Caboodle · 23/12/2010 21:06

YANBU - but after reading your post I am ashamed I have never given blood. Am pg at mo but I, despite not liking needles, promise to donate as soon as I can. Would've thought your family would have donated though - seems a good idea to me.

PortlyBlackSantaUpAChimney · 23/12/2010 21:11

I'm lovely O+ and am booked in for 29th

If nothing else people it's an excuse to lie down for 10 mins....

PortlyBlackSantaUpAChimney · 23/12/2010 21:13

Oh and also the Bone Marrow register is a fantastic idea too Xmas Grin

Joolyjoolyjoo · 23/12/2010 21:15

YANBU- used to do it regularly, but pregnancy got in the way.

Your post has encouraged me to look into it tomorrow. I'd love to give blood for Christmas Xmas Smile

Mists · 23/12/2010 21:18

My DD has a blood-clotting disorder and the simplest things have caused her to come extremely close to the edge during the last ten years.

It's a genetic condition so I can't do anything myself in this respect Sad

However, it's fantastic to have the opportunity to thank everyone who helps in this crucial way. Bless you all Xmas Smile

Lulumaam · 23/12/2010 21:32

just tried to make an online appt but got an error message, however, i have found a local group and will be going !

BlathIceSkate · 23/12/2010 21:41

I've never given blood but want to. In the past I've been too light, too pierced and too pregnant but DD has just turned 1 and I am no longer too light Xmas Blush so I'll be going in the New Year if I can find someone nearby.

Will I be able to take DD do you know? I've got no babysitters for her and sessions are always in the day while DH is at work.

I am on the Bone Marrow register and the Donor register so I may one day do my bit in other ways, just blood and possibly my brain for Dementia research left to give.

SuchProspects · 23/12/2010 21:42

I think YABalittlebitU to ask in this way. There are all sorts of reasons why people don't give. Many of those reasons the individuals involved will consider private and none of your business (even for close relatives). So putting an obligation on them in this fashion is not very considerate, despite the background.

But YANBU to suggest that people give blood, or to promote it or to point out, a lot, that you and you DD might not be alive today if it weren't for blood donors.

MyBrilliantCareer · 24/12/2010 00:40

I used to give blood regularly (in another country) but when I try to here, which I do regularly, I find that there isn't anywhere local around to give blood. I have to do a tedious commute to get to a permanent unit. I even went in my lunchtime once and the mobile was shut for lunch!

Anyone have any tips on how to access a blood donor unit?

expatinscotland · 24/12/2010 00:47

The next time I can give it is 26 January. I live in a rural area, I can't afford to go outwidth, they have to come to me.

coldtits · 24/12/2010 00:52

I would LOVE to give blood, but I am a kciker and screamer. I haven't had a tetanus shot since I was 5 [guilt]

What makes it worse is that my blood group is A rh -

but I just CAN'T

I can't even take my own children in for needles, various friends (and, tbh, acquaintences) have done it for me over the years.

I wish I could give.