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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

mayorquimby · 17/02/2011 18:44

"1980 because we've all got mad cow disease!"

TB surely? was mad cow not closer to 2000?

FiveFeetTwo · 17/02/2011 18:45

Don't look in the direction of your arm otherwise you might feel a bit wibbly.

Just lie there and think of the last time you had an hour of peace and quiet with no children bothering you and you get a cup of tea and biscuit too. I used to fall asleep on the job. So to speak.

Rindercella · 17/02/2011 18:49

Please, if you are able to, give blood. DH is having a blood transfusion tonight. He is so desperately I'll.

If you do give blood, thank you from the bottom of my heart x

Rindercella · 17/02/2011 18:50

Fecking phone. He's ill.

Gemsy83 · 17/02/2011 18:55

I do. I dislike people who feel the need to preach when many others already do it.
Thanks x

MumInBeds · 17/02/2011 18:55

Sorry to hear your dh needs blood Rindercella - I hope the transfusion helps him.

TheFowlAndThePussycat · 17/02/2011 18:57

Yanbu, I'd be dead if it weren't for blood donors. Hooray for anyone who gives blood.

I'm interested in that thing about writing to donors, I didn't know it was possible, I wonder if there would still be a record of whose blood I had (2 yrs ago)?

purpleknittingmum · 17/02/2011 19:01

Rindercella, hope your husband is ok

I am a regular donor, gave last donation 2 weeks ago, number 39 or 40 I think! Not bad considering I had time off when pregnant and had to wait until she was a year old, had a piercing and a tattoo!

When we lived in Scotland I gave blood every 12 weeks, think you have to leave 16 weeks between donations

GertieWooster · 17/02/2011 19:03

Sadly, because I've received a blood transfusion, I can't give. I do feel that I'm in 'debt'. Thanks to everyone who does give.

pommedeterre · 17/02/2011 19:03

I always wanted to be a blood donor when I 'grew up' as my mum went to do it regularly when I was growing up.
Unfortunately I have to take large amounts of anticoagulants so can't but hope to somehow encourage dd even I can't do it by setting an example.

Dysgu · 17/02/2011 19:05

I have just made an appointment to give blood next month - if I leave it any longer they will not have any appointments left. Why do people who do not work still go late in the day???

I am trying to talk DP into donating blood. He has a rare blood group but I have never managed it yet and I have been donating on and off for the last 15 years.

With regards to how long you have to leave it after being pregnant, it is the length of time that you were pregnant. I carried DD1 for 32 weeks so had to wait until she was 7 months old before donating again.

When I started donating, I remember crying when they came at me with the needle! (I had come home to donate with my mum knowing I would cry but all the little old local ladies who make the tea and hand out biscuits were lovely! Even today they still save a chocolate bourbon for me ) I have never cried since - just the once to get over the fear of needles and am fine now.

I also have a tendency to almost doze off whilst I am donating - I am a slow bleeder and usually manage to watch several people come and go by the time I have managed my bit. My dad can be in and out in about 15 minutes!

I do, however, love the feeling of 'goodness' I get from giving blood though.

Insanitybecomesme · 17/02/2011 19:10

I gave blood on Sunday and shall be doing so again on the 5th June, I took my youngest three with me and my 3yr old was fascinated by it.

Foreverondiet · 17/02/2011 19:13

You can give if BF but baby must be 9 months old. I am a wuss so have a local anesthetic so really can't feel anything. Yes you find out your blood group!

TheFowlAndThePussycat · 17/02/2011 19:16

Don't be so po-faced Gemsy, it's not preaching it's publicity.

Rindercella · 17/02/2011 19:22

Gemsy, I don't think the OP is at all preachy. And it allowed me to give a very timely thank you.

VerylazyBecsy · 17/02/2011 19:28

If only i could- when i went to give blood about a year ago 20 mins later (after id left the centre) i fainted, then threw up at the bus stop and couldnt walk. DH had to practically carry me into a taxi, and the guy thought DH had drugged me and was taking me home to do raping. Fainted again on my doorstep. Damn low blood pressure and body prone to going into shock. I feel very bad that i cant give blood, but i really dont think it's a good idea for me!!!

FiveFeetTwo · 17/02/2011 19:31

It'a an amazing thing to do if you can. I too have a rare blood group and used to get calls asking me to go as often as I could. It was no hassle for me, a bit of time out away from work and it was great to be able to do something to help other people.

Thank you again AtYourCervix. Will definitely get back into it now.

Olessaty · 17/02/2011 19:33

What sort of health conditions or medications would prevent you from donating blood? I'd donate but I am not sure if I would be wasting their time if I went.

VinoEsmeralda · 17/02/2011 19:36

My DC still have a dad and me a lovely DH thanks to over 29 people donations plus platelets and some more blood products.

I have always donated blood but since having second DC my heamoglobin is borderline so not suitable for donations which is a real shame.

What I still cannot grasp is that SIL and Inlaws do not donate blood. He would have died from his injuries wasnt it for all those lovely donations but they still cant be bothered.....

eden263 · 17/02/2011 19:59

Olessaty, they wouldn't think you were wasting their time, they'd be pleased you'd made the effort to try. You could always contact them by phone or look at the website for who can & can't - www.blood.co.uk/. I always find the staff really nice (on the phone and at the sessions) and I've been 'doing it' (other than lapses for babies & tattoos, lol!) for over 20 years.

And yes, I've donated whilst BF.

And I'm a wuss too, so have a local, and never look at my arm!

funtimewincies · 17/02/2011 20:06

Blimey, if our blood service got you in and out in half an hour I'd stand a chance of giving blood without having to arrange childcare for a whole morning/afternoon.

Mind you, they don't seem especially efficient. It's a shame as the actually blood-letting is fairly quick, even for a slow bleeder like me, it's the queueing for the finger test and stuff which seems to take ages.

Well done to those of you who are regular donors .

Haribojoe · 17/02/2011 20:07

Can't at the moment as DS is only 5 months old, but will be donating again as soon as I can

MumInBeds · 17/02/2011 20:17

Have you tried booking online funtimewincies? At our place they are good at keeping to time if you've booked.

supersewer · 17/02/2011 20:18

please, please go,I have had a blood transfusion which could have saved my life or at the very least prevented a prolonged recovery after my DS was born.

Thank you to whoever it was I will look after your blood!!!

CrystalQueen · 17/02/2011 20:22

Will try and remember in four weeks, when I think I can give again

Why do they have to have the heartwarming stories in the waiting area? Last time I was in tears reading about the tiny little baby needing lots of transfusions in SCBU. I was already there!

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