First-time blood donor - a bit nervous

[EmmalinaC]

I'm giving blood for the first time and am feeling really nervous about it. Should I be? Anyone got any words of encouragement?

I find it really worthwhile giving blood. Tell the staff its your first time, and I'm sure they'd really look after you.

After giving blood, take it easy as you might feel lightheaded - stop for the drink afterwards (they'll insist anyhow), and relax.

:)

Haven't done it for a while but I don't recall any problems, just relax.

the staff are verry nice they will look after you well.

as others say just relax and enjoy the biscuits after it

Thanks - do you think I'll be ok to walk home? It's about 5-10 minutes away? (Sorry if I am making this into a drama!)

You will be fine to walk. Well done for signing up even though you are nervous :) The staff are always lovely and if you are at all scared they will be happy to sit and chat to you. Take your time afterwards with your drink and biscuit and if you feel at all wobbly just tell someone and they will sort you out.

Have you read the info on the NBS website and done the virtual tour? Forewarned is forearmed!

Just remember that the staff have dealt with hundreds of "newbies" before so they're well prepared for whatever weird questions you might ask and however nervous you might get. The fingerprick test for your iron levels is just a pinprick and the needle itself is the same as any blood test - you don't feel anything while it's in your arm. And you get a drink, a biscuit and a warm glow of doing good when you're all done!

Squirrel that virtual thing is fab. I registered by phone so I hadn't seen it. Right, I'm off now... Will let you know how it goes!

Done it and am now wearing my sticker and feeling very virtuous! Thanks for the support everyone.

Excellent - well done! Now your mission is to go on and try to convert friends and family who are eligible to donate but don't.

Seriously though only a tiny proportion of those who can donate actually do, and this is lifesaving stuff here so I do try to gently encourage people I know to consider donation if that's an option for them.

Thanks for the reminder, I'm down for next week. There is nothing to it, is there Emmalina? Next time you get a key ring :)

Absolutely nothing to it. Didn't even feel light-headed so I'll definitely be back for my keyring in a few months! I am working on DH but he's a bit squeamish