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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Blood donation

219 replies

talksensetome · 10/02/2017 12:46

AIBU to tell you all that I am going to give a pint this afternoon, just because I love these threads and how they inspire others to give.

I wanted to donate platelets but I am too tiny so a pint of the red stuff it is!

OP posts:
OliviasWhiteHat · 10/02/2017 22:50

I donated this week Grin. Had seabrook crisps and Oreos Biscuit
Also added myself on the bone marrow list. I think they just want ethnic minorities and young males on the leaflet I took.
Wish more people would donate. It's not too much trouble.

Ponyboycurtis · 10/02/2017 22:53

I'm donating for the first time on Valentine's Day, any advice for a first timer would be greatly appreciated.

PossibiliTea · 10/02/2017 22:53

Yes!! I went on Sunday! Pint of blood in return for free club biscuits and juice along with the feeling you are helping someone else. Halo

PossibiliTea · 10/02/2017 22:54

Please make sure you are well hydrated and have had a good meal before you go. Keep gently squeezing your hand and it's over and done in no time. If you don't think about it, it really doesn't even seem like anything is happening. Nothing to worry about and just think about how it could save someone's life!

ChristmasAccountant · 10/02/2017 22:58

I'm a regular donor and love the feeling of helping someone in need. But I needed a transfusion after my c section in November, does that mean I can no longer donate?

ChristmasAccountant · 10/02/2017 22:58

I'm a regular donor and love the feeling of helping someone in need. But I needed a transfusion after my c section in November, does that mean I can no longer donate?

oliversax · 10/02/2017 23:03

Jealous of those with seabrook crisps for the post donation snack. Best food ever.

Ponyboycurtis · 10/02/2017 23:08

Thanks Poss.

PossibiliTea · 10/02/2017 23:13

SmileFlowers you will be fine, just look forward to the free snacks and drinks afterwards too haha. The nurses are usually so nice and grateful anyway if you tell them you are a little nervous they will help you loads Smile

SuperBeagle · 10/02/2017 23:15

I've been told I'm unable to donate blood as my veins are too fine, and they wouldn't cope with the amount that's taken.

Otherwise, I would've donated despite my fear of needles.

Rowgtfc72 · 10/02/2017 23:29

Like Ginny I was a regular donor, over 30 units of O-. Haven't donated since they brought in the new appt system. Have to wait six months just to get an appt to donate.

Jellybean83 · 10/02/2017 23:41

ChristmasAccountant I think so, my mum donates and I went with her once, I'm sure the form she filled out said you need to wait a year after transfusion or have had received blood transfusion before a certain year (this was about 8 years ago though), it might have changed since then. Do you still have to fill that form out?

user1471495191 · 10/02/2017 23:41

I was told by nurses and midwives that I wouldn't be able to donate because of my veins but the staff at the donation session managed no problem, so always worth checking with actually donor staff for anyone who hasn't already...

SwedishEdith · 10/02/2017 23:51

I've signed up to donate for the first time in a few weeks. Am preparing to be turned down as, usually, have low blood pressure and am AB+.

whatsthepointofmorgan · 11/02/2017 00:06

I gave once, then found out I was ab+.
They don't want ab+ Sad

whatsthepointofmorgan · 11/02/2017 00:08

Swedish there's a notice on their website saying they won't be inviting females who are an+ to donate in the future as there is no demand for it.

whatsthepointofmorgan · 11/02/2017 00:09

Ab+ not an

SwedishEdith · 11/02/2017 00:11

Oh, bollocks. Sad. I only know blood group from my first pregnancy - maybe it's changed? Grin. I'll go anyway for the mint Club.

whatsthepointofmorgan · 11/02/2017 00:19

I know ! I loved being a donor and was all geared up to do it twice a year.
But there's no use donating if they can't use it.

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 11/02/2017 00:22

I have rubbish veins (ante-natal regularly had to have several goes) but over 20 blood donations and never have they failed to get in - never even needed more than one go. IME if you look tricky they will get the ace vein locator (seems to be one in every session) and they will sort it with no problems.

Have had to postpone twice lately dye to eyelid infections (suffer from blepharitis) and am v Pissed of with my uncooperative body!

MommaGee · 11/02/2017 00:27

For those whose blood type isnt needed, have you tried seeing if you can go gold? If you can donate platelets, the letter telling you can is awesome! I felt like I'd won a prize!!
It takes longer but they bring you drinks and biscuits and you can dp it more often too

FurbysMakeSexNoises · 11/02/2017 00:35

I donated three times when I was younger having always followed my mum when she donated. I was a stone lighter and hadn't had lunch and had quite a nasty faint during the donation so I got banned.

I'm booked to try again soon (after a real struggle to get the right appointment times on the app) and I'm pretty nervous. Any reassuring stories?

MommaGee · 11/02/2017 00:44

Aibu tp be sad that DS will be we be able to donate and therefore I have to carry the burden of our his blood and platelets debt alone? (DH is super queasy over needles and blood).

AlmostAJillSandwich · 11/02/2017 01:19

There's such thing as a vein locator? Neither the actual specific daily blood donation clinic i went to, nor the mobile one that goes round various venues had that? The first place told me my veins were too deep and even with the blood pressure cuff (which goes tighter than the tourniquet when they put the needle in) it was hard to feel (same problem i have at my docs for blood tests) the second told me similar plus that my veins were very fine and likely to rupture. As i said, i'm gonna ask my doctor (who took blood once instead of referring me to the phlebotomist) and see if there's any possibility of booking in somewhere, sometime, that will have finer needles or if i'm just a lost cause. I have a common blood type and am willing to be pricked and poked however many times it takes to get in my vein, surely if donors really are in such great demand, they could make some provision for someone who wants to donate but needs a smaller needle?

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 11/02/2017 12:43

Christmas if you've had a transfusion since 1982 you can't donate :(

Any of you AB+ want to swap blood types with me? Grin I'm O- and it's like a kick in the teeth that I have a useful blood type but can't donate it!