Giving Blood

[andycarmi]

For my New Year's resolution I want to give blood. But I have a baby and I'm breast feeding so can I give blood while BF? :confused:

[catz747]

This is from NHS direct, also say you must keep hydrated:

Women may not donate while they are pregnant and for a period of time afterwards, equal to the duration of the pregnancy (normally 9 months). Breastfeeding mothers can give blood provided they are not anaemic.

[dawnybabes]

Pregnancy

You should not give blood if you are pregnant or you are a woman who has had a baby in the last 9 months.

HTH
Dawn

[Westywoodpecker]

Ditto the advice above. Have to say though many thanks for your resolution. My son needed many units of blood when he had a serious illness. At the time you almost presume that it's available, when actually it's only due to people like yourself in the first place donating blood.

Thanks :D

[sheryldoc]

Thanx to anyone who donates blood.. I hav a condition called ITP and I need blood and Platlettes often.. I have had some serious internal heamorrages and if it wasnt for those kind enough to donate blood.. I could have died!

So giving blood saved my life and for that I will always be gratefull.

My mum has the rarest blood type and she now gives blood.. x

[andycarmi]

Thanks for the info. Had DD nearly five months ago so will wait May.:D

[JoeyG]

I've just registered to give blood (also a new years resolution)

I'm a male, so no breast feeding issues here :)... how will I feel afterwards and how long will it take before I feel normal again?... can i give blood in my lunch hour and go straight back to work?

[quietheart]

JoeyG my husband is always fine after giving blood, no problem whatsoever. I'm occasionally light-headed but I'm often borderline anaemic so I reckon most people are fine.
Well done for registering, can't believe only 6% of the population do it!:confused:

[JoeyG]

Thanks rovers

I've arranged it for after work, but I chose a lunchtime appointment as my 2nd choice.

Anyone else registered online? and how long do they usually take to get back to you?

[Nile]

I've just registered to give blood (also a new years resolution)

I'm a male, so no breast feeding issues here :)... how will I feel afterwards and how long will it take before I feel normal again?... can i give blood in my lunch hour and go straight back to work?

Hello JoeyG

Well done for registering to become a blood donor.:T

As a long time blood donor (44 donations) I can reassure you that you'll feel normal very quickly afterwards. There are lots of blood donor sessions at work places..............and employers wouldn't allow their employees time off work to donate, if they were then unable to continue work straight afterwards.;)

I wouldn't recommend that you give blood within a couple of hours of playing sport because it will be too soon and the intense activity might make you feel dizzy. I always donate on an evening when I'm not due to play sport later that night.;)

Anyone else registered online? and how long do they usually take to get back to you?

There wasn't an 'online'/personal computers.........or even the MSE site:eek: when I became a blood donor:o .............so hopefully someone else will answer your question.

Regards

Nile

[JoeyG]

Thanks Nile!

Sorry to be annoying, just one more question.

If you give blood reguarly, how often do you do it?... I noticed there are sessions every couple of months at my local place

[arnie&caseysma!]

All being well you can donate every 12 weeks. Due to work I sometimes can't donate every 12 but I go to the first available session after I should have been and try to keep up with it as often as I can. Unfortunately I have been advised not to go back until June this year due to a test I have done even though it came back clear. Just protecting everyone there including me I suppose.

Well done to those that are signing up to give blood now - it really is worthwhile. And in true MSE style you get a FREE sticker, a FREE cuppa, and a FREE biscuit after you have given your pint of red stuff as a wee thank you!

[jackieb]

I've had 2 transfusions in the past and a while after the birth of my last baby I decided to donate. All went fine until they banned people who have had transfusions themselves from giving. I can't understand why - I thought they tested everyone's blood anyway? It doesn't exactly fill me with confidence about the transfusions i've already had. Are they trying to tell us something?

[tommyj]

Different people react differently to giving, especially if it's their first time.

I am pretty much always fine, although occassionally I come out with quite a nasty bruise... but nothing too awful.

A friend of mine is very very ill for around 6 hours after each donation, but still insists on doing it. Fair play to her!

[Debt_Free_Chick]

The National Blood Service (http://www.blood.co.uk/) has loads of information on its website.

You can also enrol online (https://secure.blood.co.uk/enrol.asp)