Give Blood

[brockleybelle]

Have never given blood. Just looking on the National Blood Service website and there are plenty of opportunities in south east london in the coming weeks/months. I'm expecting at the moment and generally feel pretty rubbish so I don't think I'm up to donating for now (i wonder if they allow pregnant women anyway?). But just wanted to encourage others on here to do it, particularly if you're O RhD negative like me, as this blood can be given to anyone eg in an emergency, in specialist procedures on unborn babies.

http://www.blood.co.uk/SessionSearcher/ShowAjaxResults.aspx

[Pickle]

You can't donate while pregnant (I'm a donor, but currently unable to donate during the pregnancy). Agree that this is something everyone should consider - such an easy thing to do but a lot of people have never done it. I started donating at age 16 (in New Zealand) and have done so ever since.

[brockleybelle]

Thanks for that, Pickle. Well, it's something I'd definitely like to do once I've had baby.

Does giving blood affect you physically?

[Pickle]

Not at all. Some people feel a bit faint afterwards, but you get tea/juice and a biscuit and as long as you don't go out and try and run a marathon directly afterwards you will be fine.

[computedshorty]

I was in Hospital while in the Army, I know they had a job to get blood for me, they got it from an RAF Regiment after a few days

I am told that is because my group is Rh B Negative that is a bit out of the normal.

I think that it is now those of that group are no longer required to serve in action.

Thankful to the lads of the RAF, I got those transfusions I'm still here sixty two years later.

[minder]

It doesn't affect you physically at all - in fact I feel rejuvenated!

I used to nearly faint sometimes when having blood taken during my 3 pregnancies, but I think as you get older it's not so bad.

[hibbs]

I couldn't agree more, giving blood is a great thing to do and I always feel top of the world afterwards, I totally recommend it, probably the most worthy 20mins of my life twice a year, but hey that's just my opinion.

[PeckhamRose]

Far too few people give blood and I used to have a constant reminder as my Signature till the signature police removed it a few years ago. I gave 25 pints before having to stop when they removed the goal posts on the drugs they'd accept in the blood! I would urge all you can, do. And thanks for starting this thread!

[The Minkey]

I can't give blood because I had a transfusion back in the 80's, ironically enough.

[RosieH]

I give 12 pints a week. Have done since I was in utero. But I only do it for the free biscuit and orange squash.