Among the many complications I had was DIC, charmingly known in the medical world someone told me at a later date as Death Is Coming due to the unlikelihood of surviving. It results in uncontrollable bleeding until there is nothing left.

I was very lucky so many people had given blood and platelets because I pretty much exhausted the supply that day.

The horrible irony is at the very time you are most likely want to become a blood donor because your life has been saved by a transfusion, you are now prohibited.

Although what happen to me a decade ago is fairly rare, many, many women have blood transfusions after giving birth. If I had known how common it was I might have been more motivated to donate while I still had a chance.

Neither my partner nor I can give blood but I am doing my best to persuade our other children, who would never have been born without dozens of strangers who gave up a hour and 470mls of their blood, to repay my debt when they are old enough to donate.

I would be really grateful if anyone else would like to donate an armful on behalf of me and our first-born daughter who would have been enjoying her tenth birthday with us.

And thank you to all of you who already donate, you truly are heroes xxxx

Just call 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk

You never know what's round the corner!!