https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 06:45:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1878700 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:38:44 +0000 Applesandbananas 1878700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That went well! I feel a little light headed but nothing crazy. I think I'll donate again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1876999 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:01:34 +0000 snowjewelz 1876999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope.. I was always under weight, and then I am anemic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1876351 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 23:36:38 +0000 Astro Bee 1876351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay! Congrats. I hope it's a pleasant experience for you, and that you continue to donate in the future. It is a very rewarding experience. </p> <p>Even after a lifetime of donating regularly, I still feel slightly guilty whenever travel and pregnancy prevent me from going. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1876179 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 19:58:17 +0000 Applesandbananas 1876179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I signed up!</p> <p>Thanks for sharing your experiences! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875944 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:42:16 +0000 erinpye 1875944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave twice- at drives in high school and college, because I'm O+ and know they're always in need of it. But, I haaaaate needles and it's not easy for me, so when the last phlebotomist was particularly rude, stuck me repeatedly and not gently, and then left me with a giant purple and brown bruise on my arm, I never did it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875881 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:14:04 +0000 LindsayInNY 1875881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: Wow, that's intense!! I was researching donating while going through IF treatments and I'm thinking it's probably not the best idea for the time being :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875737 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 13:46:16 +0000 PawPrints 1875737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: Would you believe our local blood center has a wall recognizing people who have given 100 gallons?? I'd love to make it on there someday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875416 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 10:15:28 +0000 anandam 1875416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, a number of times. Maybe 10? My veins are deep and small so it always involves some digging around and it hurts. But it's very brief. I got faint one time in college when I'd been dieting and was under the weight minimum, but lied to them about it. Learned my lesson! Usually it's no big deal. Travel, pregnancy, and significant blood loss in c-section have kept me from it for about 2 years now, but I will definitely do it again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875316 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 08:57:18 +0000 Corduroy 1875316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've donated 7 times but passed out each time. I would probably still donate but my MIL - who runs a blood donation bus- asked me to stop. She said they only get fainters about once every two weeks so if I'm that person they would rather not have me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875235 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 08:04:11 +0000 charmed 1875235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did once when I was 18, but nearly passed out and felt terrible for the next day. I always wanted to do it again, but even getting my blood drawn makes me dizzy since then, so it's probably not a good idea. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875194 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 07:27:44 +0000 LindsayInNY 1875194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: That's amazing!! I always find a blood drive but might need to just go to my local center within the next week (pre-IUI). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875100 Wed, 24 Sep 2014 00:04:45 +0000 PawPrints 1875100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to give every eight weeks on the dot. I received a 2-gallon pin from our local blood donation center, and I think my lifetime total (including when I lived in other states) is something like 4 gallons. I've been kind of sad to miss out on it since I've been pregnant. I have easy-stick veins and never get faint or dizzy, so it's super easy for me. I pretty much consider it an obligation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1875057 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 21:58:11 +0000 marionberry 1875057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done it often. It's such a great gift. Just ask for an afternoon appt so that you can eat plenty and avoid any fainting spells. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874832 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:09:44 +0000 Ree723 1874832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an avid donor - usually donating blood every six to eight weeks, as per the guidelines. Australia doesn't let you donate whilst BF'ing at all, and since I was still BF'ing DD1 when I got pregnant with DD2, I haven't been able to donate in almost three years :-( I need to look into the UK's rules on donating whilst BF'ing as I miss it and want to get back into the routine of it. </p> <p>I don't know the exact number of times I've donated in my life, somewhere around 50 times, and I've never had a bad experience. Apparently I have great veins in my left arm and pump out a pint of blood in 5-6 minutes. I generally don't work out on the day I donate though and add in an additional litre of water to the normal 3 litres I drink per day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874801 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:37:46 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1874801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I donate whenever there is a drive at my school - my blood is negative for something (I always forget what...) that's also missing in babies' blood, so it's good for infants who might need it. </p> <p>It's always been a good experience. Although I find I have a delayed reaction. I feel great right after, then feel like I need to sit 20-30 minutes later. Of course, that could be because I always donate at school on my prep, then go stand in front of my class right after. </p> <p>But no matter what, I always feel happy after because I helped someone, and maybe a little baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874797 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:35:57 +0000 Astro Bee 1874797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've donated many times (maybe 30+) over the years, which has been difficult with my travel schedule. DH and I are scuba divers and for the last 5 yrs have been traveling to areas that are malaria-prone, which means I can't donate for a full year. And now I'm pregnant! </p> <p>It's really straight forward. I tell first-timers to be really hydrated and have a somewhat full stomach beforehand, and also not to watch the needle - being hungry/thirsty and doing the later can make people feel as little faint if they haven't donated before. To make the blood flow faster I flex my fingers/hand, but that might not be advised your first time (I play a game to see how fast I can donate that pint!). </p> <p>The volunteers and nurses take good care of you, ensuring you are well rested and re-hydrated after. Then there are the cookies!</p> <p>I only eve felt bad once, and that was in college, and I ran across town so as not to be late for class. I made it, but felt nauseous once I got there. They do tell you not to exercise afterwards, however. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874760 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:05:09 +0000 Mrs.KMM 1874760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have terrible veins and I've not had any difficulty donating. I've done it lots of times (in 5 different states!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874734 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:38:37 +0000 Arden 1874734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not allowed to donate in the USA because I lived in Europe. Even though the countries I lived in didn't have mad cow cases, they still won't accept my blood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874702 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:02:09 +0000 illumina 1874702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to do it every few months pre-LO. I don't have great veins and it takes a few attempts by different nurses usually to get it. </p> <p>I need to find somewhere to do it locally now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874701 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:01:45 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 1874701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to do it all the time! Sometimes my arm would get a little cold or feel slightly weak but other wise it was no big deal! Since becoming pregnant &amp; not being allowed to, being a mom &amp; not having anyone to watch LO while I do it &amp; now being pregnant again, it's be awhile since I donated but I miss it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874699 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:58:52 +0000 LAZB 1874699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to donate frequently, but haven't in a couple of years either due to pregnancy, or for one year I wasn't allowed to because I had been to Santorini, Greece shortly before. It was very strange, because apparently Athens was OK, but the islands put you on a wait list.<br /> Anyway, my experiences were always good, but I don't get queasy at stuff like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874655 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:35:17 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1874655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: amazing! I've never heard of that many units for one person before but obviously very well worth it. </p> <p>Whenever I administer blood in the hospital, which is pretty often, it's amazing to see how the color just comes back into their skin and how different their mentation is if their hemoglobin was really low. It is so important so I will be sure to donate after this pregnancy is over and long after. The process is easy too. Just make sure to eat a snack and drink some juice and you should be okay. Feel free to take your time and lay there a while too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874603 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:15:59 +0000 Mae 1874603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to do it all the time! (I can't anymore due to low iron). It's not really that big of a deal for most people. It doesn't hurt anymore than a standard blood draw (you only get poked once, blood just flows longer!) and it is pretty quick. Plus ya know, they give you cookies after :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874587 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:10:22 +0000 yin 1874587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I attempted to but didn't pass their initial test. My heart rate was too slow (40 bpm). Later I learned that my heart often skips a beat, which would explain the slow heart rate. Also I'm on the lower end of the weight limit. Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to donate due to the two conditions. I really wish I could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874528 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:53:40 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1874528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did pre kids but haven't been able to for a few years. I'm guessing it will be a while longer until I am able to again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874518 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:49:22 +0000 LindsayInNY 1874518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do it ALL the time with no issues! I know I can't work out that day (or sometimes the next either) and can feel a bit off after but otherwise, plenty of fluids and food and I'm fine! (I'm 5'3" and have donated from 110-130 lbs. with no issue!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874499 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:38:27 +0000 MrsBrewer 1874499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. 64: Same here, I always faint.</p> <p>I've been told a few times that I have awful veins, and only the butterfly needle works for me. Obviously the need for giving blood is much larger, so I'm counting myself out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874450 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:05:21 +0000 rachiecakes 1874450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: that's amazing! </p> <p>I donate as often as I can!<br /> There was a crazy incident on the street behind my house where an officer was shot protecting us and lost just about all of his blood supply. He was rushed to the hospital down the street where I had J and they were able to save him (with 46 units of blood!). </p> <p><a href="http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/04/01/transit-police-officer-dic-donohue-on-new-mission-to-save-lives/" rel="nofollow">http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/04/01/transit-police-officer-dic-donohue-on-new-mission-to-save-lives/</a></p> <p>I'm also a rare blood type, so I feel like it's important that I donate if I'm able to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874401 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:46:39 +0000 JMOM 1874401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to do it in college a lot. I only got woozy once. The only thing I remember was that it took a while for the whole donation process. My dad does it often as he has the blood type that they really want. I would do it now but I was in the UK during the 90's mad cow thing and they won't take my blood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-given-blood#post-1874373 Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:35:43 +0000 mrs. 64 1874373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't given in a long time because both times I tried I passed out. I would like to try again though because LO has been the recipient of numerous transfusions and I know how important it is. </p>