giving blood whilst ttc

[tearsofrobertsmith]

Hello all! That's pretty much it! Can I donate blood whilst ttc? Not due to test til end of next week. I know you shouldn't while pregnant or if you have given birth in last nine months. The donor form doesn't mention what to do if you are possibly pregnant. We have been ttc for over a year with no success at all and giving blood is important to me. Any medical mumsnetters out there to tell me? Would anyone go ahead? Thanks!

Yes, I believe so - otherwise they would be seriously down on their donors!! Have a look on www.blod.nhs.uk I think to be sure.

Oops - www.blood.nhs.org

3rd time lucky - should really check the website before posting!! www.blood.nhs.uk

Thank you for that link Ellypoo, very useful. I had a look and there is nothing mentioned to deter me. Just says you cant if you are pregnant or have been pregnant in last 6 months. Which is interesting as I thought it was 9 months. Anyway, I'll pop along later and give a pint of the good stuff!

Hello - just thought I would let you know I tried to donate blood while ttc and although very nice about it they advised against it, something to do with the time it takes your body to replenish your pints of blood and this not being ideal for you if you are ttc. It was for your benefit not theirs if you see what I mean! Hope this helps and good luck whatever you decide

Thank you for replying Dannygirl, I went along last night and gave anyway, as I agreed with Ellypoo above in that if the Blood Transfusion service rejected all women that were ttc then their donor levels would plummet. I think that if we had just started ttc then I may have felt more cautious about giving but after a year I suppose you just have to get on with it. I couldn't find anything concrete to sway me off so went along and had some fabulous biscuits!