Giving blood?

[daftscotslass]

Who does? I was going to ask if it hurts - probably not in the scene of things over the last year but this is a voluntary pain

I'm O neg so I figured I better as apparently I'm in demand as the so-called "universal" donor. Eeps.

 

[Melanie]

I gave blood from being 17 until i was pregnant and then i left the country lol. Im going to go give blood again next week.
No it doesnt hurt, just dont look at the tube in your arm if you are a bit squemish!

 

[Laur_250]

I keep seeing those adverts and really want to do it even though i hate needles, I think it would be a good thing to do. Sorry to jump in but am interested to hear the responses too!xx

 

[widowwadman]

I haven't yet, but really want to start. Apparently you have to wait 9 months after giving birth, though.

 

[emma10]

I'd say no not at all! of course you can feel the needle when in goes in but it's just like having a blood test.. once it's in it's fine! I fill the bag quite quickly and hardly notice anything except towards the end my fingers start to get pins n needles, but it's all over in 10mins..you get to lie down throughout and they treat you like royalty while ur there honestly they nurses are fab! and it's an amazing gift.. you could save someones life Esp with a Negative blood group! Go for it I doubt you'll regret it, i get a 'did something good' kinda feelin! and i never know if I might need some one day

 

[daftscotslass]

I haven't yet, but really want to start. Apparently you have to wait 9 months after giving birth, though.

Yes I've been using that as a get-out clause so far. As of today I no longer have an excuse

 

[pilkers]

I'd love to but I don't think I can

I'm O neg too and I know that my blood group is the type they really need because it can be used for anyone.

I have Factor V Leiden, which is where the blood clots too quickly...I think it's sometimes known as Sticky Blood Syndrome.

I spoke to a woman who worked for the Blood Donor people and she reckoned that I wouldn't be able to but she wasn't 100% sure... and that I needed to see one of the Blood Donor doctors... I really need to get around to asking

A friend of mine went last week and fainted after the finger prick test She has to wait 16 weeks before she can go again and if she faints again then she won't be able to give blood at all!! She was gutted, bless her.

 

[Laur_250]

How long does it take?? The site says just under an hour, is that the time the needles in?? Also i think im A+ is that needed or is it mainy negative people? Sorry for butting in again xx

 

[trixipaws]

i was gonna post about this!!! i actually went in my lunch hour- thought i'd do a good deed (and its right near tesco!) i thought they would snap up my precious blood as i am type AB+ but no, they didnt want it! i dont weigh enough apparently

if i ever put on 10 pounds i shall go see if they want it then

cant say i didnt offer!

 

[daftscotslass]

There's a mobile clinic coming to the hall near me in about 3 weeks so I will go then. EEKS!

 

[nissa]

I give blood regularly or should I say 'gave' as I haven't for 6 months obviously.

When they say an hour that's the whole booking in, donating and hanging around for tea and biccies afterwards!

The needles are not allowed to be in for any longer then 15 minutes from what I understand. I am a little slow to drain so have often had them say that I was cutting it close to my 15 minute mark!

I have a friend who goes with me, she seems to fill the bag in about 4 minutes so it can really just depend.

My dd(8) comes most times. She loves it and is determined to do it herself once she is old enough, also, it made her less afraid when she needed her own blood test last year.

I think it's a very worthwhile thing to do so even if you are a little nervous of needles give it a try. At least then you can say you have tried to do it.

And remember, one teaspoon of blood can help save a babies life!

 

[sarah113]

i would love too but because i had a blood transfusion last year i think ive got to wait 5 years i think

 

[Laur_250]

Phew i was thinking the needle was in for an hour! I think i might be brave too then it is a great thing to do. But do I have to wait until its been 9 months then??xx

 

[daftscotslass]

Yep you need to leave it however long you were pregnant for before you go.

 

[Hazel]

I went onto the site and out in my postcode but there isn't a convenient one (free parking etc) near me until April, I shall put it on my calendar though. I saw an advert about dog blood donors. Not sure if my cats are quite as charitable.

 

[maria1976]

Gofor it Lorna,think imgonna give it a go too x

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I did it from 2 days after my 17th birthday until Fi - and am looking forward to going back again.


IT DOES NOT TAKE AN HOUR well not the needle bit. it depends how fast your blood comes out, lol. I can do it in 7 minutes, apparently I gush. LOL

I hate needles but it is fine. It feels like a scratch when they put it in then you don't feel it. I bruise badly each time but im like a peach in that way. Lol.

And you get a free cuppa and bikkies
And stickers. Lol.

It's a great thing to do

 

[x Naomi x]

i want to do it but dont think i can for a while as i had to have two units of blood when i had Macey and i am still on iron tablets due to being anaemic

 

[Charlie:-)]

I think its really important to give blood and give regularly except for at the moment but like Suzie looking forwards to starting up again. My sister had to have a lot of blood when she had my niece as she had placenta previa and started clotting (very rare when doing a c-section for placenta previa but it does happen) and they couldnt stop it, she had to have 6 pints put back in, if it hadnt have been for blood donors my sister wouldnt be here today.

Me and my hubby are in competition to see who has given the most, so far he's in front with me not donating at the moment and also men can donate more times in a year than women, but he's just had a new tattoo so cant donate at the moment as well.

I thought you had to wait a year after giving birth until you could donate again??

Also a few people have mentioned they have had blood transfusions but would like to donate, I also thought it wasn't possible to donate if you have had a transfusion after 1980 (ish, not sure of the exact year)??

I know some blood types are rarer than others and some stock levels are higher than other types but it doesn't matter what type you are all blood is needed.

 

[maria1976]

I did it from 2 days after my 17th birthday until Fi - and am looking forward to going back again.


IT DOES NOT TAKE AN HOUR well not the needle bit. it depends how fast your blood comes out, lol. I can do it in 7 minutes, apparently I gush. LOL

I hate needles but it is fine. It feels like a scratch when they put it in then you don't feel it. I bruise badly each time but im like a peach in that way. Lol.

And you get a free cuppa and bikkies
And stickers. Lol.

It's a great thing to do

Well im defo going now!!