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Original poster

I just gave blood for the first time! have you ever?

56 replies

essbee · 19/11/2004 17:16

Message withdrawn

OP posts:

Lonelymum · 19/11/2004 18:26

I thought I heard lately that you can't give blood if you have ever had a blood transfusion yourself. I received four pints back in 1986 so that would rule me out, right?

MummyToSteven · 19/11/2004 18:30

fair enough then. i did assume would be same on scottish website as english

honeybunny · 19/11/2004 18:31

Used to, but got malaria in 1992 and they havent been too keen on it since. Shame really as they said my blood was perfect for premmies, O-ve.
Also spent time in SAfrica, and a hospital worker, followed on closely with pgs so all further reasons why they keep turning me down.

JoolsToo · 19/11/2004 18:32

coddy - I am A+ and give blood regularly (got the badge to prove it -f of COURSE they want your blood - its as common as 'O+' which is the universal blood - I think I'm right in saying anyone can be transfused with 'O'.

You do feel good about yourelf doing this - even if you usually have to wait AGES - but at least you get tea and biccies after. You just have to think 'what if one of mine needed it' Get out there and do - they NEED it!

lou33 · 19/11/2004 18:35

i am a+ too

SoupDragon · 19/11/2004 18:48

Website asks if you've had a transfusion in the last 12 months.

hmb · 19/11/2004 18:50

Dead common me (and therefore much needed) O rh positive. I have given over 60 donations and have my gold badge to prove it
I used to give plasma and was tissue typed for a child with leukemia and used to donate platelets for him/her every 14 days when I was a student. I'm bad about going now because I am so busy with the kids

honeybunny · 19/11/2004 18:51

O neg is the universal donor blood, ie can go to anyone as there is little to react with anything, O pos obviously has the Rh pos factors in it so not so universally donorable!

luckymum · 19/11/2004 18:52

You can't give if you've had a transfusion in the UK since 1st January 1980.

donnie · 19/11/2004 18:52

I tried to give blood once but it was a disaster! my blood pressure is low and my veins are buried so deep that any sort of blood test is a nightmare, a real pain since I am O rhesus negative and therefore need extra jabs etc during pregnancy.They couldn't find my veins and in the end they were literally sticking the needle in over and over, trying both arms. They managed to get about a quarter of a pint but the needle slipped out, my blood sprayed all over the place and I passed out!! so never again, unfortunately....a shame as my mum was a regular donor and I was always very proud of her.

Miaou · 19/11/2004 18:54

I have always wanted to give blood, but until recently didn't weigh enough (two kids took care of that, though!!) - however, I have very low blood pressure like KATG (Mine is 90/60 I think) so I'm not sure how wise it would be. Dh has been a donor for years and got his silver card thingy. Do they say anything on the website about low blood pressure? Can you put up a link?

Miaou · 19/11/2004 18:56

When I had blood tests a few years ago the nurse said I had very "leaky veins" - and sure enough I had a black bruise that extended six inches above and below the needle entry point! ouch. So maybe I had better not.

WigWamBam · 19/11/2004 19:07

I was a blood donor for years, (I'm O+), but sadly I can't donate anymore because I had a blood transfusion when I had dd. I'm also on thyroxine, which is also not allowed these days.

sweetkitty · 19/11/2004 19:41

I always try and give when the unit is here but have to wait as DD only 4 months.

Even DP gave once and he is terrified of needles!

Slinky · 19/11/2004 20:26

JoolsToo

O Neg is the Universal Donor, as it doesn't have any Rhesus antibodies.

I'm O Neg, but I can only have O Neg blood. O Pos can only be given to people with Rhesus Positive Antibodies.

Slinky · 19/11/2004 20:28

Miaou

Heres the link for Blood Service

this

pebbles2004pebbles · 19/11/2004 20:29

WELL DONE!

to say.... im petrified of needles - couldnt do it, but proud of eveyone else that does. I'm a bit in a way...

JoolsToo · 19/11/2004 20:29

Slinky - thanks - close but not close enough!

beansmum · 19/11/2004 20:33

I usually give blood twice a year but i haven't been able to for ages, i had shingles, then was pg and bean is only 6 months now. I asked the nurse when they came to uni the other day and you have to wait the length of time you were pg for. bean was born at 37 wks so i can give blood when he is 37 wks old,

hoxtonchick · 19/11/2004 20:34

I wouldn't mind doing it, but have terrible veins, & am also chock-full of diabetes medications so I bet they don't want my blood.

Eulalia · 20/11/2004 10:54

They wouldn't take from me when ds was about 18 months old because I was still b/feeding him. I thought it was a bit daft as he wasn't having much by then but there you go. Haven't been back as I've always either been b/feeding, pregnant or both.

Also some people do think because they have got the common group then that is less importnat. One friend boasted that she was rheisus negative and how sought after she was, but the thing that she forgot was that there are more people needing the 'common' type so the demand is just as high

iota · 20/11/2004 11:06

I started giving when I was 18 - the donor team came to my university, so it was easy. Then later when I was working my employer used to hold a session in their office (500 staff) so that was easy again (good skive off work for an hour, plus you feel good about it being a worthy cause ) Had to stop because of pregnancy but started again after.

Am now SAHM so haven't given lately....I feel a little guilty but they've had over 20 yrs worth already.

BTW I'm o+ and was once called by the hospital to come in and give an emergency donation to a sick baby, so it isn't just the main blood type that's important, it's the other antibodies etc that you've got.

dinosaur · 20/11/2004 12:21

I used to years ago when I was at Oxford but I think I've only done it once or twice since then. Good idea actually - when I've finished breastfeeding DS3 I think I might do it again. That probably won't be for about a year though.

Mirage · 21/11/2004 14:46

I haven't ever gotten around to doing it but SHOULD do.

I'm A RH Neg & years ago,when I rang the helpline to see if they could use my weird group,I was actually told that there wasn't much point donating as it was so rarely required.I've since found out that it isn't the case,but am pregnant again,so still can't donate.

Does anyone know whether recieving Anti-D would affect me being able to give blood?I've not had a transfusion,but Anti -D is a blood product,so I'm not sure.

I am going to make a mental note to donate if I can,when the new baby is one.

Essbee,you are a star for donating.{smile}

turquoise · 21/11/2004 14:58

Another rare and fabulous blood group here : ABPOS. I used to give blood regularly but can't here for the same reason as Kateandthegirls, but I am registered for bone marrow donation.

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