No Date: donating blood 0- rh negative

hi I am not scheduled yet still waiting to do my endometrial biopsy next week but my doctor said that it would be within the next month or so and that i am a good candidate for the davinci robotic surgery.

I have read that there is very little blood loss and transfusions are very rare. But i worry because I have o- blood with a negative Rh factor. Which is very rare blood and I can only have this type of blood I cant use anything else.

So I am wondering if i should donate my own blood and how i would go about doing that and when i need to do it.

Thank You
Trish

You don't need to but if it makes you feel more secure you can ask your Dr or local blood bank for details. You have to be within a certain date, not be anemic, and a few other conditions. I'd call the blood bank and check it out if you are interested, but also asK how hard it would be to get your blood type if you didn't donate. That might help you decide. You probably won't need blood but it's never bad to consider your options.

thanks so much I will call the blood bank tomorrow and get more details

I agree, check with your doctor about your options. I wanted to donate my own blood but I only had time to donate 1 pint. My doctor only does a transfusion if 2 pints are needed so I would have required donor blood regardless.

In the end, I did need a transfusion of 2 pints and am thankful for blood donors because of it!

I used to work at a blood donor center. At that time, you needed a doctor's order to donate an autologous unit of blood (blood that is donated by you, for you, and no one else). Donors who donate for themselves are held to less strict requirements such as previous cancers, medications, etc. Check with your doctor and your local donor center.

I have rh negative, as well. I had a lap band put in 3 years ago, which have minimal chance of blood transfusion needed. I got internal bleeding and hospitalized for a week. I needed 2 transfusions. Do yourself a favor, put yourself at ease.

thank you so much for making me feel better. im sorry it took me so long to reply ive just been so sick and in so much pain all i can do is just lay in bed. today i feel better and i hope it will last. i havent even called the blood bank yet to get some info. i would feel better using my own blood though. but i just found out today that i have a complex cyst on one of my ovaries and im hoping to have enough time to donate my own blood.

I understand the not being able to get out of bed !! Good luck 🍀

Thanks ladies. I discussed today with my gyn and of course he said that with this type of surgery there was little chance of needing a transfusion but that I could use my blood if it is needed. He is going to check my blood plateletts (or whatever its called lol) next week and we will go from there.