Someone please talk me through giving blood

[LemonBreeland]

As the title says, I have signed up to be a blood donor. I've never done it before as was often anaemic when I was younger. But now I've signed up I'm a bit nervous.

Can someone please tell me how it all works.

www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/what-happens-on-the-day/

You go in, give them your name and the questionnaire if you have it, if not they give you one and you complete it. Have a pint of water, they call your name and go through the questionnaire. They then take you to a little screened off area and prick your finger to test for iron levels. Once you pass that they sit you in a bucket chair, lie you back, put a blood pressure cuff on you, alcohol wipe the area the needle goes in for 30seconds (they use a timer). Stick the needle in, hook it up to a bag that jiggles and walk away. They come back when the bag machine beeps saying it's full. Remove the bag, remove the cuff, sit you up, take out the needle. When you feel ok, you get off the chair and go and have a brew and a biscuit. Then you go home.

As above, just wanted to say well done. Giving blood directly saves lives I’m a regular blood donor, haven’t been able to for the last 9 months due to pregnancy and hoping I can go back to it once allowed after baby is born. I wouldn’t have my dad or my husband here if it weren’t for blood donors, so thank you ❤️

top tips:

if you are female, don't go while you are menstruating. It may drop your iron levels just below the limit so a wasted trip.
eat properly beforehand and drink plenty afterwards.
even if you are under 30 and therefore indestructible - take it easy for the next 24 hours. No ladders, home fitness classes etc.
it hurts a bit when the needle goes in, obviously.

I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't get affected by giving blood and able to carry on as normal post donation (I now skip the biscuit and just go straight back to work), but most people feel a bit weak/ tired.

Hi OP, well done. I have never felt weak after donating, but then I do always have my free biscuit!
Also something I didn’t know before I first gave blood, the actual blood taking does not take long - I think last time it took about 7 minutes for me. You spend more time waiting around. So take a book or a magazine. This also helps take your mind off any nerves.

Great thread! I've never donated either and was just about to ask how long it takes - thank you for pre-empting my question, @BakedBeeeen!

Something else I was wondering... whenever I have a blood test, they use a torniquet - do they do this for blood donation too?

Thank you for all of the very helpful responses and tips. The time thing is really helpful too, as I assumed most of the hour they say it takes would be taken up with actually getting the blood.

I'm now booking my appointment.

The website link is also helpful. They don't have a video on the Scottish site.

Make sure you're well-hydrated before you go - I drink an extra couple of pints of water before I go and it really does seem to make a difference to my tiredness levels afterwards.

Also, in my experiences the nurses are very good at knowing when to come over to check on you.

Some people do pass out or are sick - if that happens a screen is placed around them for privacy, so just be prepared for that. Although in fairness I haven’t seen it happen that many times.

I’m actually very queasy at the sight of blood, and the nurses are always amazing with me and make sure they position me so I don’t ever see anything I don’t want to. It’s a lovely feeling afterwards enjoying your biscuit knowing you’ve potentially helped save a life

I've been wanting to give blood for a while but I have terrible veins and blood tests are always fun. Do you think that will be a problem when giving blood?

Also what kind of biscuit do you get?

The nurses at the blood service are the best at finding veins, because they do it all day long. They've always found my veins, which the nurse at the GP hasn't done as easily. If it's really problematic, they will let you know, but they do manage with most people.

@PowerslidePanda

Great thread! I've never donated either and was just about to ask how long it takes - thank you for pre-empting my question, *@BakedBeeeen*!

Something else I was wondering... whenever I have a blood test, they use a torniquet - do they do this for blood donation too?

They use a blood pressure cuff instead, has the same effect, though.

One thing that could be useful is to keep opening and closing your hand, it helps to keep the blood flowing.

Also, they were promoting leg exercises at one point, eg clenching your buttocks tight and then slowly relaxing over about 15 seconds. Crossing and re-crossing your ankles. Apparently it was all to do with keeping your blood pressure up to help the flow.

I went 10 days ago, and they were enforcing social distancing. I was told to keep hold of the plastic cup I'd had for the initial pint of water, and this was re-used for a cold drink at the end. No hot drinks right now, although I did get biscuits. The tea table had chairs spaced out, and we left via a second door away from the entry.

I'm now waiting for my text message to tell me where the blood has been issued to. It's never been my local hospitals, always further away.

@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire

I've been wanting to give blood for a while but I have terrible veins and blood tests are always fun. Do you think that will be a problem when giving blood?

Also what kind of biscuit do you get?

There are all sorts of biscuits usually. I had some of those Lotus Biscoff ones this time. I normally have the Mint Clubs when they have them, it's the only place I seem to find them. Sometimes there are packets of crisps, too.

They will check your iron levels but if you are ttc you need to let them know, as low-normal levels plus donation could be harmful to you.

I've been removed from the donation register as they couldn't get any blood from my veins! I passed the iron prick test no problems. The lady was lovely and tried a few times, then someone else tried but again without success. Devastated as it's something I have been working towards doing for a year or so. I may try again soon.

@employeewoes

I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't get affected by giving blood and able to carry on as normal post donation (I now skip the biscuit and just go straight back to work), but most people feel a bit weak/ tired.

Do they? I only stay for the biscuit because it's the only time I get an orange Club, not because I need it!

I'm on your team! 😁

Also what kind of biscuit do you get?

When I gave blood in Glasgow I had a Tunnock's tea cake. Best donation ever! 😂

First time I ever went was on an empty stomach. It wasn't a great idea! I felt a bit woozy afterwards, so make sure you have a decent meal and drink plenty beforehand. I go regularly now and it's absolutely fine.

Thank you for signing up- you really will save lives. It’s normal to be nervous and the staff will reassure you and guide you through the whole process.
I donated whole blood for years and then started donating plasma. I’ve had to be taken off the register now and I’m gutted but 3 of my friends have signed up when I told them how gutted I was.
You normally get a questionnaire through the post before you go. Don’t worry if you don’t before your first donation as they will give you one when you get there. It asks about your medical and travel history. Fill this in.
When you arrive you will be given a pint of water and a booklet that you are asked to read. You will be called into a little screened off area and they will go through your questionnaire with you. You will be asked additional questions about Zika virus, pregnancy and corona virus.
They will do an iron test. A finger prick test. They will place a droplet of blood into a test tube filled with liquid. The faster the blood sinks to the bottom is how much iron you have. If the blood doesn’t sink straightaway they will offer a blood sample for proper testing. This is a vial of blood from your non donation arm.
If everything is ok you will be taken to a chair. You can choose if you want to use your left or right arm. The chair will be tipped back and a cuff placed on your arm. The site will be thoroughly cleaned and the needle placed in. They will take a few tiny vials of blood for testing and will then hook up the blood donation bag. This is placed on a scale which swings gently from side to side. It will make random beeping noises which is totally normal. The donor carer will ask that you clench and unclench you’re fist on your donor hand, and point and unpoint your toes to help blood circulation.
The machine will beep continuously when the bag is full. A carer will come over make sure you are feeling ok and will remove the needle. They will put a plaster over the site and you will be asked to place 3 fingers over it and grip your elbow with your thumb. After a few minutes they will put a couple of rolled pieces of cotton over the plaster for additional pressure. The chair will be slowly raised into a sitting poison and they will constantly ask if you feel ok. If you feel light headed tell them. Once you have sat for a few minutes upright you will get off the chair and in normal times are led to the tea table. For your first donation you will only be given a cold drink and a snack (on subsequent donations you can choose a hot or cold beverage)
My dh donated last week and in the current situation there was a snack station but no chairs. People helped themselves to a biscuit to take away with them. Maybe take a drink with you in case the same happens. Everyone both donors and staff were wearing masks and social distancing was enforced and he said it felt very safe.

After donation you will get a text message after a few weeks telling you where your donation has been given to.

@winningattwinning

I've been removed from the donation register as they couldn't get any blood from my veins! I passed the iron prick test no problems. The lady was lovely and tried a few times, then someone else tried but again without success. Devastated as it's something I have been working towards doing for a year or so. I may try again soon.

Did they try both arms?

I was donating via my left arm for years, then they started having trouble reaching the vein, apparently due to scar tissue from previous donations. I now use my right arm, no issues so far.

However, one chap is still able to get a needle in to my left arm, and I'll ask for the left arm if it's him I get on the day.

I donate in Scotland. I do it at the door or centre in Nelson Mandela square. Things have changed slightly due to coronavirus.

Do not turn up early. You will be asked to wait outside and read a form about coronavirus. As it’s your first time they may ask additional questions. When you go in you are taken straight for the iron test (I hate that part) they will ask if you have a ‘preferred arm’, I always use my left as it won’t bond out my right. You get up onthe recliner and they put on a blood pressure cuff and clean the area. Someone comes over and jabs the needle in and a worker will stay with you (usually working between 2 beds). My blood flies out my left arm so within 5 minutes I’m done.

They used to send you to a seating area for a drink but just now you have the drink at the recliner then take a biscuit (must be a tunnocks tea cake)as you leave. I have done 19 pints now. Felt woozy once but they take good care of you.

I wouldn’t say most feel a bit weak or tired! Some will but not IME not the majority.

Good advice upthread. The donor carers and nurses are excellent at looking after you; it’s what they do all day. Take a drink if you like but ones should be supplied and you’ll be encouraged to drink it before you donate. They’re quite hot these days on checking your food and drink intake you’ve had over the day and you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make, so make sure you’ve eaten properly and had plenty of fluid over the course of the day before you go.

You might find the odd thing is different depending on where you go, especially right now. Our (permanent) donor centre now gives optional dissolvable tablets in the plastic pint glasses of water, and they currently bring a glass of squash and choice of biscuit or crisps to you in the chair afterwards, rather than dedicated snack table group seating.

Actual donation time is limited to 14 mins (poss 14 mins and x seconds? Can’t remember) so even if you don’t make the full donation by that point (not common and the machine will beep the nurses/carers if your flow rate falls below a threshold), you’re not left hooked up indefinitely.

It’s a great thing to do be doing - go for it

Thank you for all the subsequent comments. I'm booked in for Thursday evening.