Giving blood

[stampo]

Just wondering has anyone any experience of giving blood? There's a big call for donors where i live and i have O negative so would like to donate. But I'm scared. Does it hurt? Will i feel weak afterwards?

The first time I went I felt a little dizzy but I think a lot of that was in the mind. The staff will ensure you are OK and you can sit for as long as you want afterwards. They take a pin prick first to check you are no anaemic and if that's all OK they then take the blood. It hardly hurts when they put the needle in (I don't look) and you have to sit for about 20 mins or so while the blood is being taken. I think there's more information on the website about the process. Afterwards you get a notification about where the blood has gone which always makes it feel as though it's worth it.

I have donated over 60 times. It hurts a tiny bit when the needle goes in, but is fine after that. You shouldn't feel weak afterwards, but don't expect to do a pb on a 10k either

the worst bit for me is taking the plaster off the next day. doesn't hurt, wouldn't say its pain free but it's not bad at all.

I've never felt dizzy etc after - I'm giving my 25th donation next week

The blood collectors are very good at their job. (They seem much better than those who collect for other samples at ordinary clinics.)

There is a pin-prick test on your finger tip (to check for iron). This is literally a pin prick.

Then there is the needle insertion for the donation. It is usually described as 'a sharp scratch' - I've had worse walking past a bramble.

The staff are kind and attentive. They remind you to rest and do things slowly - in case you do feel weak - but I've not seen many people have any problems.

You need to be well-hydrated and so they give you a glass of water before + another drink after.

I'm a regular donor. It does hurt a bit and you might feel light-headed, but it's such a wonderful thing to do, so please don't let that put you off. The staff are great at helping you to relax and the Covid precautions are excellent.

Go for it! It doesn’t hurt - just a tiny pinprick when the needle goes in. You shouldn’t feel weak afterwards. They take very good care of you and bring you water and your choice of chocolate bar afterwards (in normal times there is a special “recovery area” where you can also get hot drinks but these days its water and chocolate bar to your seat. You are not rushed out and in fact are advised to wait to make sure you;re ok. The staff are lovely. You have to fill in a form with medical details, then have a pinprick of blood to check iron levels, then off you go. Into a recliner chair which I found really comfortable. You’re advised to move your legs (they’ll show you how) to assist blood flow.

One thing though - I have been giving blood for ages but have been made to stop because I have deep ie hard to find veins and a new protocol states that they can’t fossick around looking for a vein. If yours are deep they may well reject you.

Good luck

Most people say - and I agree - the finger prick is the worst bit!

Honestly the warm fuzzy feeling you get lasts longer than any discomfort go for it

It hurts very slightly but not for long. Firstly they take a pinprick from your finger to check for anaemia, then if you are ok to donate the staff are so experienced that they can insert the needle with minimal pain. They really do look after first time donors well, give you lots of advice and you don't leave until you have had a drink and snack.

I do feel a bit lightheaded afterwards sometimes but only if I do something like cardio exercise or run up the stairs, normal activity is fine. Occasionally people do faint, although I've never seen that happen (50+ donations) but the staff are trained to spot the signs and it is all designed to minimise the chances of it happening.

You'll be doing an amazing thing if you do it

Oh and drink lots before hand

Yes - removal of plaster is the painful part!

I've been donating since 1987 and have seen two people feel a bit faint afterwards. The staff tended them with drinks and a longer lie-down. Both were fine.

If you tell them it's your first time they will be supportive and talk you through each step. All the staff I've encountered have been kind, gentle and chatty.
I've never felt weak afterwards, and really struggle to heed the "no heavy lifting" advice.
It is worth making sure you've eaten fairly recently and you are well hydrated going in. They will ask you to drink a certain amount before you go in.
I can't look when they site the needle, but it's never more than slightly uncomfortable when they put the needle in, then no pain while blood is transferring to the collection bag.

Every time I donate, I am in awe of science/medicine, blood, our bodies and how such a simple effort on my part can save a life.
Then when the text comes through to tell me where its been used, I always feel curious to know the story behind the donation.
Just try it once, you don't have to commit to more than that. Bet you'll go back a second time.

Ours is still drinks in the little cafe area even with Covid but if you needed it they'd bring a drink to your chair.

I've only felt lightheaded the time when I didn't eat much beforehand. I learnt my lesson and make sure I have plenty to eat and drink now.

It's honestly fine OP. Things to help yourself include making sure you're really well hydrated before you go as it will make it easier to find the vein. Take it easy afterwards, snacks and liquids.
Really worth doing, good luck!

I can't donate at the moment, so haven't been since covid but use to be a regular. It doesn't hurt, but cam feel a bit strange. They start of with a finger pick test for iron, which is the worst part, a bit like a papercut. Then all being well they put the needle in near your elbow to take the donation. If you've had blood samples taken before (like when pregnant) it's no worse then that, and often better as the people doing it take blood all day, so are really good at it (unlikely my midwife who took 5 attempts to find a vain).

Afterwards you use to get tea and biscuits or cake, though not sure how it would work with covid. If they aren't doing that I would recommend taking your own drink and snack to eat straight after. I did feel a little delicate for a day or two after, kind of like a hangover but without the headache, but nothing major.

@EverythingDelegated

Ours is still drinks in the little cafe area even with Covid but if you needed it they'd bring a drink to your chair.

I was wondering after reading the post above if the place I go isn't covid safe as it still has the separate area for drinks and biscuits afterwards althought no hot drinks at the moment

Like others above I've been giving for decades so have no recollection of the first time but I have seen people who've taken a funny turn quite a few times I dont know if there's an element of feeling as you'll expect to so best to go with a positive attitude if you can.

@Walkerbean16

the worst bit for me is taking the plaster off the next day. doesn't hurt, wouldn't say its pain free but it's not bad at all.

I've never felt dizzy etc after - I'm giving my 25th donation next week

hahahaha - Yes, same here! I do it in the shower now

I’ve give blood around 5 times so far, I find it does hurt a little when the needle goes in (standard) but after that fine. My second to last time I did have a bad turn & nearly fainted twice, I had to be on the chair for agessss! I think it was because it was teatime & although I’d eaten lunch, I’d not been home for tea. I always book mornings now, last time was fine even with mask on. I’m booked in again in September 6 months after the birth of my baby so I don’t let my fainting put me off! It must have just been one of those things, try not to worry

I think our little cafe area is covid safe, the seats are much more spaced out and further from the serving table than they used to be, they have windows open, you aren't facing anyone else.

It’s honestly fine, I quite enjoy it actually! Me and DP go together when we can. The needle obviously hurts a tiny bit, but barely, the nurses always have a lovely chat with you, and you get your lovey cuppa afterwards. I agree the plaster is the worst bit! I developed an allergy to the plasters, so now I get a bandage and look ridiculous 😂

OP it's such an important and selfless thing to do - go you! The needle might prick a little but the staff taking blood are pros and they'll put you at ease.

Think of the lives you'll save ❤️❤️❤️

Yes and others say make sure you're well hydrated going in to make sure your veins are nice and fat

So reassuring thanks everyone. I'm actually fine with needles, no problem getting vaccines or blood taken during pregnancy. The thought of such a large volume leaving my body had me nervous and i was worried it would hurt for the whole time. Ok, I'll make the call! Thanks a million to all

I've donated about 35 times and would agree taking off the plaster is the worst bit

Second everything everyone else says and adding:

It's like a little holiday, take a book, get comfortable on the chair... you can't even feel the blood leave.

Having drink and a snack afterwards, what is there not to love?

I treat it like a little visit to a very strange spa