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Original poster

Giving blood

90 replies

stampo · 09/07/2021 15:10

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?

OP posts:
indigoemerald · 10/07/2021 23:47

I agree that the plaster is the most painful part of the whole process! I use donating blood as an excuse to treat myself on the day (e.g I’ll stop off at a cafe on the way home to get something nice for lunch as a reward/to get my energy levels back).

I’m usually in and out in less than an hour, it only takes about 5 minutes for me to donate my pint and then you can sit for as long as you need in the food/drink area.

In the UK you receive a text which tells you when your blood has been used and which hospital it went to, which is an amazing feeling. I have the Ro subtype in my blood, which means my donations are nearly always sent to patients with sickle cell anaemia to help prevent sickle cell crises, which sound very painful and debilitating.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 10/07/2021 23:53

I don’t think I’ve ever had a text about my blood.

(Scotland)

RolloTomassi · 11/07/2021 00:21

The process is fine, staff are very attentive and I've always felt completely well afterwards. Agree the finger prick is definitely the worst part, but not so bad as to stop me doing it yet!

I had been getting texts about where my donation had been used but not last time - wonder if they've stopped doing it? Hopefully not. Anyway, OP, I'd go for it if you can. A really great thing to do.

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General health
caughtinanet · 11/07/2021 06:44

I've never had text about where my blood goes, that mustn't be a universal thing (I'm in England)no on has erased if I'd like one

Posters who are saying they havealie down, do you mean on an actual bed? I've never had that either. It's done in a reclining chair where I go. It's interesting that places are so different

I quite like the new drink Smile

BikeRunSki · 11/07/2021 07:19

Posters who are saying they havealie down, do you mean on an actual bed? I've never had that either. It's done in a reclining chair where I go. It's interesting that places are so different

I mean “lie down” on the reclining chair

EverythingDelegated · 11/07/2021 08:18

The reclining chairs are fairly new, they've only been using them for the last five years or so, before that it was flat beds, like the ones in a Dr's surgery.

When I first started donating they had two sets of beds, you donated on one and then had to go and lie down on another one and rest for ten mins before you could have your cuppa, a staff member used to time you with a stopwatch. They used to sit with you throughout the donation too, it has changed a lot over the years.

DearTeddyRobinson · 11/07/2021 09:05

Ooh just spotted this, I'm donating this afternoon for the first time in about 15 years! Was living overseas then had babies etc so I kind of got out of the habit.
The only time I felt funny was when I stupidly went before lunch, you do really need to have a full stomach.
Good luck OP Thanks

BikeRunSki · 11/07/2021 11:00

Did anyone body else have a blood donation bus that came to work?

VodkaSlimline · 11/07/2021 11:12

Do it! You get a lovely rest in a comfy chair, and free biscuits!

Mamamamasaurus · 11/07/2021 11:15

The finger prick and removing that plaster (stuck on with non-nails, I'm sure) hurt more than donating.

I've never felt light headed afterwards but everyone is different. The staff are amazing and make sure you're OK to leave, especially after your first donation or first for a while.

EverythingDelegated · 11/07/2021 11:18

@BikeRunSki

Did anyone body else have a blood donation bus that came to work?
Yes, that's how I got started, it was in my first full time job.
EverythingDelegated · 11/07/2021 11:19

They took over the function room behind the canteen. Factory is demolished now.

BikeRunSki · 11/07/2021 11:28

@EverythingDelegated, we had a big converted bus tome round to do the donations on wiith built in bunks. A bit like a giant camper van.

EverythingDelegated · 11/07/2021 11:34

Ah, no we didn't go in the bus, I think there were probably too many donors (several thousand people worked there). It was the full scale set up like normal sessions.

igelkott2021 · 11/07/2021 12:27

@SheldonesqueTheBstard

I don’t think I’ve ever had a text about my blood.

(Scotland)

It's a relatively new thing and it's only happened to me twice. I didn't get one the second to last time I donated.
SheldonesqueTheBstard · 11/07/2021 12:33

Ah - thank you for that igel ☺️

AlCalavicci · 17/07/2021 00:18

@stampo
Have you plucked up the courage yet ?

Original poster
stampo · 17/07/2021 00:38

Yes! Well I've made the call. I had my first vaccine yesterday so have to wait 7 days after that. Booked in for the 29th! I shall report back. Nervous but almost feel like it's my civic duty to donate

OP posts:
NoLeafClover · 17/07/2021 03:26

Fair play to you Stampo, you're doing an amazing thing.

I've only given blood a handful of times as I've unfortunately been too anaemic a lot of the times I've gone to donate. But I give any time I can. My husband would not be here now, if it weren't for wonderful blood donors.

I'm in Ireland too, the IBTS staff are excellent. I've never experienced more than a little nip when the needle goes in, the nurses are so calming and comforting, I've had great chats with them. I've never felt remotely unwell afterwards either, though the Tayto and Club Orange when done are nice Wink.

I've had a text to say where my blood has gone, which is nice, it really reiterates that the amazing gift you have given has gone somewhere specific, and you know that your blood will help save a life in that particular hospital.

You're a hero, everyone who donates blood is.

NoLeafClover · 17/07/2021 03:31

And I hope you're feeling well after your first vax! I had mine a couple of days ago, and it was grand. The vax centre (mine was Fairyhouse) was really well organised, I was seriously impressed. And other than a bit of an ache in my arm, zero side effects thus far.

WeAreTheHeroes · 17/07/2021 03:48

I'd echo most of what pps have had to say. One thing I'll add is that you tend to spend more time waiting around than actually donating. Ime that has improved during the pandemic because they stagger appointment times more instead of having x number of people all booked in for the same time slot. Expect to be there around an hour. In the past I've been there for much longer.

NatMoz · 17/07/2021 04:50

Slightly off topic but would they turn people with certain blood groups away? I recently found out I am AB- which as I understand is a rare one and may not be in high demand?

Once my pregnancy is over I think I'll be considering donation but only if they actually need me!

I don't have the magic blood group (is it O-?) that can be used by all.

SpiesRUs · 17/07/2021 05:50

Rare blood groups are very much needed, I think they would be delighted to have your AB.

Well done OP and thank you to all you lovely donors, DP recovered from a very serious illness thanks to blood plasma donations. Both my DC started donating at 17 and are encouraging their friends to start as take up quite low in younger people.

SquashMinusIsShit · 17/07/2021 06:09

Last time I donated the text told me the blood had gone to a hospital that my brother had raised money for year ago so that was cool.

I've been known to have a McDonald's before or after as a reward Smile

SquashMinusIsShit · 17/07/2021 06:11

Im.quite a rare blood group & I get text asking me to donate, they won't turn anyone away