AD | The issue of blood donation is a very personal one for me. Because a blood transfusion saved my life when I had to have an emergency Caesarean and without it, I wouldn’t be here now and writing this piece. Which is actually my 200th blog post and I can’t think of a more fitting subject matter to celebrate this achievement. I’m very pleased to be working with Smart Cells * to help raise more awareness of the importance of blood donation and, if you’ve never thought about giving blood (for whatever reason), then I very much hope my birth story might encourage you to do so.
Blood Donation
But first, are you eligible to give blood and what’s actually involved? Most people between the ages of 17-65, weighing over 50kg, who haven’t been treated for cancer, nor received donor eggs or blood transfusions, are eligible to give blood. An average adult body holds ten pints of blood and a normal blood donation is usually just under a pint – around 470ml.
The majority of people in the UK who give blood, donate whole blood. Nurses take your blood in its entire form via a needle in your arm. It can then be kept in its original form or separated into its components, such as plasma and platelets and used as needed. Each year the NHS Blood and Transplant service requires approximately 200,000 new donors, as some people who had previously donated no longer can. And blood has a limited shelf life. After processing and testing, it’s only stored in refrigerators for up to 42 days so there’s a constant need for regular blood supply.
My Birth Story
Flora is my first (and last!) child. My birth story is probably behind that decision because I can safely say it was the most terrifying thing that ever happened to me. Well, to Alan really, not to me as I was out of it, and in intensive care for 48 hours. I’d planned to have a lovely water birth in my local community hospital but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. After two very uncomfortable stretch and sweeps to induce labour, and a few contraction-filled broken nights of sleep, I went into the Royal United Hospital in Bath on the Sunday afternoon. The midwife broke my waters and announced I’d be home with our baby the following morning.
After a few more hours of contractions, I sent Alan home to feed our three cats (Jester, my old boy, Spooky, Flora’s semi-feral, and Ginger, Alan’s hobo – don’t you love my priorities?). And told him I’d call if anything major happened. Fast forward a few more hours and, after a blessed spinal block injection, I dozed while my midwife checked intermittently on the baby’s heartbeat.
In the early hours of Monday morning she told me the baby’s heartbeat was dropping and I needed an emergency C-section. I phoned Alan to tell him to come in, and it’s all a bit of a blur after that. During my operation, they discovered the umbilical cord had wrapped itself around the baby’s neck but they got her out safely and handed her to Alan who’d just arrived.
My blood transfusion
Flora was fine but during the course of the operation I bled out over half my body’s blood supply. Alan thought I was going to die because I was sheet white, shaking violently, wrapped in a foil blanket, and surrounded by five medical staff. Apparently, after my consultant had finished barking orders, he took Alan to one side to tell him that I would be OK, which Alan didn’t believe at the time. All I remember was my chattering teeth and saying over and over again how cold I was, and FFS would someone get me a blanket.
I woke up two days later in intensive care after having had a massive blood transfusion which saved my life. Flora and I ended up staying in hospital for a full week because the trauma to my body halved my milk supply and I needed help to feed her. We are forever grateful to the NHS teams, and to my blood donors, whoever they were. We are incredibly lucky to have received such care, without which we would not be the family we are today.
Why I’m encouraging you to give blood
I’m very aware that there may be personal reasons why you might not want, or indeed be able, to give blood. Ironically, as the recipient of a blood transfusion, I’m not eligible myself. So please believe me, I’m not trying to pile on pressure, or make anyone feel bad. All I’m doing is sharing my own experience to explain why I feel so strongly about blood donation. If you can, then please, please, please do so as you might just save someone else’s life. I’d like to finish this post with a quote from the World Health Organisation, who have expressed things far better than I could:
“Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life.”
Have you given blood before? Have you ever needed a blood transfusion? Or know someone who did? How do you feel about blood donation?
* This post is a collaborative one.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad you’re doing okay now.
Thank you for reading it, and yes, I’m fine now 🙂
I must admit that’s a hard story but I am glad you and Flora made it out all right 🙂 I want to donate blood, even though I am a bit prone to go white as a sheet when I look at someone drawing it but as long as I look away, it should be fine 😉
I would love to donate blood even though I’m not a fan of needles, but unfortunately, as the recipient of a transfusion, that rules me out, although it doesn’t stop me feeling guilty!
Oh my gosh, what a story. Birth can be such a terrifying time without adding in everything you had to go through. I give blood, it’s such an important thing to do if you’re able to do it and it can make the world of difference.
Hels 💕
Yes, you’re right, I do wish I could give back in the same way but I can’t, unfortunately. Maybe in a few more years I can, we’ll have to see x
Giving birth is such an intense labor and can literally be lethal. Shame that people do not acknowledge that fact about pregnancy. Your story will help put that unto lights but also how to deal with unpredictable events. Glad you could have a blood transfusion. What a scary experience it must have been for your loved ones!
Yes, I hadn’t realised how dangerous it can be. No wonder so many women died in childbirth throughout history. Thanks to our wonderful NHS I was OK but I know Alan was terrified he was going to be a single dad!
Blimey Lisa what a terrifying story! I never knew about any of this but thank heavens for our wonderful NHS and obviously your blood donor. I don’t give blood at the moment, it’s something I do think about though. My parents both did it for years before they had me – I think they even got medals for donating such a large amount over the years haha!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
It’s not something I’ve written about before but I think the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of giving blood was too good to turn down. And that’s amazing about your parents, they are heroes!
Oh wow, such a personal story – thank you for sharing it, Lisa. I’m glad you’re OK now x
Thank you, Joy, yes, I’m fine now, just very lucky! x
I guess you don’t always think about blood donation, but blooming heck you went through it! Glad everything worked out and you are ok now. It’s a shame that you can’t donate after having a transfusion, but I guess that is safety reasons.
I haven’t donated blood yet, but I am considering it.
Thanks for sharing your story, and what a beautiful family you have!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
No, I hadn’t really thought too much about it either before this happened but now I do. I just wish I could donate myself but, as you say, it’s safety reasons. Thank you so much for your lovely comments! xx
Oh my goodness what a scary experience, thank goodness you and Flora we’re both okay in the end. I’ve thought about giving blood time and time again as I had an ex whose life was to thank for a blood transfusion too so it’s always been quite important to me. Unfortunately my Mum took me as a kid when she gave blood and I passed out and have been terrified of it ever since. One day I’ll pluck up the courage!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Oh noooo, poor you, no wonder that put you off giving blood! I’m not good with needles either TBH but I do so wish I could donate and give back. Luckily we are all fine now but it was a hairy start! x
Oh my goodness! That must have been terrifying for Alan and your family. So glad that you are both healthy now! Such an important story to highlight an important issue! Your photographs are so lovely! Thank you for sharing! Xx
We’re all fine now, thank you Lauren, and yes, I think it was far more frightening for Alan than me because he really didn’t know if he’d end up as a single parent! Hopefully, this will highlight the importance of giving blood though – and thank you for your lovely comment! xx
Gosh that must have been so scary! Well, for Alan at least. My mum had a complicated c section when she had me and said she was so out of it that she remembers next to nothing. A very similar thing happened to someone I know quite recently and it really makes you value our healthcare system. I can’t give blood (diabetic and too small) but it’s so important that people do if it’s something they’re interested in! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Quite a few of my mum friends have admitted either they or someone they know had a tricky birth story too, it’s been quite a surprise to find that out. As you say, we are very lucky in this country with our NHS and blood donors! x
That is so scary, Lisa! I only ever really hear about stuff like this in my nursing textbooks – but I’m glad things went well though! Thanks for sharing your story.
It was scarier for Alan because I was out of it (!) but yes, we’re all fine now and I’m happy to share to help raise awareness 🙂
This is such a scary situation Lisa. I am glad you and Flora made it. I have donated blood a couple times. But yes need to do more often. My husband works for the WHO and I love that quote. This is the best post for your 200th one. A big congratulations to you my dear.
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Ah, thank you so much, Via, that’s so kind of you to say so. Yes, I’m so pleased this was my 200th post, I couldn’t have picked a better tribute, could I? xx
Oh my gosh. I’m so glad you and Flora pulled through OK. That must have been awful for you, Alan and your family to go through. I’ve never donated blood but I am a registered bone marrow doner, although I haven’t been called upon as a match yet. The last time I looked into it however, I couldn’t give blood as I have a long term gastro disease and periods of respitory illness. It’s a case by case basis though, they review my medical history each time.
Ah thank you, Kim, it was quite scary for Alan although I slept through it all! That’s interesting, I didn’t think about bone marrow donation. I’ll look into that as I would really like to be able to give something back. I’m so sorry to hear about your gastro and respiratory issues though, I hope they don’t limit you too much X
What a story! I have never donated blood, though I’ve always wanted to. I’ll have to make sure to once I’m able to after baby is born.
Ha, yes, it was a bit of a saga! I do wish I could donate blood, but sadly I’ll never be able to. I hope you can one day 🙂