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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to encourage you all to go and give blood.

100 replies

AtYourCervix · 17/02/2011 17:48

Go on. Unless you have a very good reason why not.

Quick - in and out in half an hour.

Painless - really. I am an utter wuss and it doesn't hurt.

Easy way to save a life.

Makes you feel really good and noble.

And you get tea and snacks. And an hours peace.

So go on. Off you go.

OP posts:
feekychucker · 17/02/2011 17:53

Can you do it whilst bf? Dd is 5 months old

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 17/02/2011 17:56

all the info here

OP posts:
PukeyMummy · 17/02/2011 17:59

Don't think you can whilst BF, but I could be wrong.

I'm a donor but called to tell them I'm pregnant and they said they would note on their records not to call me again until the baby is 9 months old.

Also not if you are anaemic/taking prescribed iron tablets. (I'm not much use as a donor!)

But do agree with the OP - go and do it if you can!

bristolcities · 17/02/2011 18:00

Iv been meaning to for ages, will get on the case asap.

HoodedCrow · 17/02/2011 18:01

Bump

DFil has been a very regular doner all his life and about fifteen years ago he got a letter from a young lad who had a very nasty motorcycle accident. He needed numerous transfusions and was a rare blood group (like DFil). He wrote to all 7 of his doners to thank them personally .

LillianGish · 17/02/2011 18:01

Totally agree AtYourCervix - the only way to enjoy a truly guilt-free bag of crisps imo!

lazylula · 17/02/2011 18:02

I intend to later this year, once I have had this baby.

Imnotaslimjim · 17/02/2011 18:04

I've tried to donate 3 times now, and each time they can't find a vein to draw from :( the van is due here again soon, so I will be trying again, and I will keep going til they find one :D

KatyMac · 17/02/2011 18:06

I used to, but they don't want me anymore Sad

craftynclothy · 17/02/2011 18:14

I've always been put off by the fact I have terrible veins and people struggle to find one to get blood out of. I always worry I'm taking up space and wasting their time Blush. Would they actually want me to go or will they wish I hadn't bothered?

Dlamis · 17/02/2011 18:14

Same here Katy. :(

I would if I still could and would encourage anyone who can to do so. It really isn't as scary as people think, and you get to lie down for a while :o then have tea and biscuits

d0gFace · 17/02/2011 18:15

You should not give blood if you are pregnant or you are a woman who has had a baby in the last 9 months.

bootilicious · 17/02/2011 18:19

I have tried. In the ten times I have been there to attempt to give blood I am always anemic.

My doctor has advised me to try once I am through the menopause.

See I have an excuse Blush

GwendolineMaryLacey · 17/02/2011 18:19

Does anyone know about the pg terms? I cancelled my last appt as I was pg. Subsequently had a mc and the website says to leave it for as long as you were pg. I had a mmc at 11 weeks but baby was only 6 weeks. Do I leave it 6 or 11 weeks? I know I should ring them and ask but I really couldn't face asking them that.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 17/02/2011 18:22

Feekychucker - you can give blood while breastfeeding, but you need to wait until the lo is more than 9mths old, as others have said you need to wait that long after giving birth.

I used to give blood to but it has always been difficult, hard to find a vein on me and it takes forever! MW hates taking blood from me for the AN tests as she finds it very difficulty to find a vein.

I gave blood once after having DS and it took nearly an hour just to donate 3/4 of a pint Shock I used to go years ago with an exbf (who was a rare blood type) and annoyingly he used to be done and dusted in 20mins!

Will try again after DC2 is born. But what I should do is to strongly encourage needle-phobic DH to go!

feekychucker · 17/02/2011 18:28

Thank you for info, I will do this as soon as the 9 months have passed :)

JaxTellersOldLady · 17/02/2011 18:29

I would happily donate but they dont want my blood. Sad

FiveFeetTwo · 17/02/2011 18:31

I gave blood for 15 years before I had the dc. Somehow it's fallen off my list of priorities since then. [rubbish]

Thank you for the kick up the arse - will get on the phone and make arrangements to get back into it tomorrow.

Smile
MumInBeds · 17/02/2011 18:32

I gave on Monday so it'l be another 16 weeks before I can give again. I like logging onto the website and seeing the different parts they broke my donation into.

mayorquimby · 17/02/2011 18:37

YABU
bloody pinko lefty do gooders.
I need that blood I do.

Angry
sancerrre · 17/02/2011 18:37

In Americaland you can't give blood if you've lived in the UK at any time since 1980 because we've all got mad cow disease!

JaxTellersOldLady · 17/02/2011 18:39

sancerre arent we all mad cows? Grin

That is crazy.

ThisIsANiceCage · 17/02/2011 18:41

Another one who's not allowed to give blood any more.

Please guys, get round to it if you're still fit and healthy.

laosvher · 17/02/2011 18:42

Can you see the blood being drawn out?
Will they laugh at me if I close me eyes?
Will I finally find out my blood group? :o
Ta

laosvher · 17/02/2011 18:42

my eyes*
I've obviously been listening to too much Cheryl Cole.