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Original poster

booked to give blood but im scared

33 replies

familyfun · 04/02/2013 15:24

ive always been scared of needles, but after 2 kids, blood tests and anti d injections ive got used to them a bit.
ive booked first time to give blood and im really scared.
how long does the blood come out for?
when you have a blood test and they take 5 littkle tubes, will they take lots more than that?
what if i faint will i be wasting their time?
i am going to do this next week but im panicking already
help

OP posts:
ImNotaPheasantPlucker · 04/02/2013 15:32

Well done on making that appointment!

I would let them know you are nervous, all the Blood service people I have met whilst giving blood have been lovely and will talk you through what is happening.

You will have a glass of water when you get there then be called through to check your form details and have a pinprick blood test to check your iron levels.

You are then asked to wait a while until your name is called. Again, they will talk you through everything that happens. The actual donation takes about 4 - 5 minutes in my experience.

Cuppa tea, biscuit then home with a HUGE smile of satisfaction at helping someone!

OldBeanbagz · 04/02/2013 16:01

Good luck on taking the first step - making the appointment!

My blood donation takes around 7 or 8 minutes though apparently they allow up to 15.

I always make sure i've had sensible lunch and that i've drunk plenty of fluids and have never had problems (except once when my iron levels were too low).

They certainly won't feel you're wasting their time if you feel faint, they're grateful for every donor they get. I've donated about 12 times now and have only seen one person who felt faint so maybe it's not that common.

I never look at the needle. I can just lie back, relax and listen to the music they generally have on.

Even with the drive there and back (and the cuppa/biscuits) it's only a hour out of my life every few months so well worth the effort.

Sallster · 04/02/2013 16:06

I was a little nervous the first time I went too, but everyone was really kind and the actual time giving the donation went so fast I was amazed! I felt a little tired afterwards but didn't feel at all tired when I went back for my second donation. I would advise making your next appointment when you are having your "post-bleed" cuppa, as it's amazing how quickly time flies and the invitations I was sent always seemed to be on days when I was busy - if you book it there and then, it's in the diary and you can work around it rather than trying to fit it in at a later date. Well done you for going along and getting started. It's so worthwhile. Thanks

specialsubject · 04/02/2013 17:40

they don't take 5 tubes! You get a prick in your finger to check for anaemia - obviously they don't want to take your blood if you are already short of iron. (BTW don't go when you have your period as this can make this test fail). Then you get the jab in the arm to put the drain in. Takes under 10 minutes to fill the bag. Just look the other way when they put the needle in and say 'ouch'.

No-one normal likes needles, but you've had kids, you can take pain. Especially pain this minor.

eat properly during the day, drink the big glass of water they give you beforehand and then stay drinking tea or squash and eating biscuits until you feel ready to leave - about 20 mins. My usual problem is eating too many biscuits. :-)

if you are over 25 you will feel a bit tired for the rest of the day. Don't book an aerobics class until a day or two later. :-)

good on you for donating.

DuckMeInTheGrass · 04/02/2013 17:45

Do you have to know your blood group? Ive forgotten mine.

CMOTDibbler · 04/02/2013 18:08

No, you don't need to know your blood group.

I've just been to donate, and they are so nice and kind, they will explain everything to you

Original poster
familyfun · 04/02/2013 19:47

thank you all for replying, im not scared of the pain, i know needles dont hurt very much, but they make me feel all woozy and faint. i used to faint at every needle until my first child. glad to hear i can lie down and look away.
i meant the tiny little tubes they take when you have a blood test, the most ive ever had taken is 5 tiny tubes and wondered just how much more than that they would take?
im even scared of the finger test Blush
thats why ive booked now so i cant back out.
i think im a- blood group.
its something ive always wanted to do, and after having kids and having so much help from the nhs, i want to do it even more.

OP posts:
mangledmess · 04/02/2013 20:09

Is it the needle pain you are frightened of or the whole process itself. I have no experience of giving blood (not allowed because of health issues) but I am a first class wimp for blood tests. There is a cream you can buy off amazon called emla and you apply it to your arm and cover with an adhesive dressing. I just cut a square out of sticky back plastic or wrap ib cling film lol and this removes half he trauma of the needle for me.

sorry if it was not helpful in any way but might help someone reading and are frigjtened of blood tests.

Well done for giving blood though and best of luck.

AmberLeaf · 04/02/2013 20:13

Its really not that bad!

The staff are lovely and explain what they will do before they do it.

Doesn't take that long, you just lie back while it happens and relax, after you get a drink and some biscuits/crisps.

Original poster
familyfun · 04/02/2013 20:13

its not the pain, it doesnt really hurt me to have a needle, its the thought of it going through my skin. yuk

OP posts:
mentallyscrewed · 04/02/2013 20:19

I'm due to give blood also for the 1st time on Wednesday but am quite poorly so sadly gonna have to give it a miss this session :(

Original poster
familyfun · 04/02/2013 20:44

thats a shame, im going next week and hope i can give.

OP posts:
ant3nna · 04/02/2013 21:14

In my experience the blood service people are lovely and if you let them know that its your first time then they will take extra good care of you. I went on Thursday after a gap of 2 years and got fussed over to make sure I was ok. They even brought me over a drink to have before I sat up.

They take 470ml plus about 2 of the small vial things which they use to test your blood to make sure you don't have anything nasty before giving the blood to someone else. 470ml is the best part of a pint so quite a bit more than the small tubes. It takes about 5 to 10 mins. I take a book to keep my mind off it but sometimes go with my mum and we chat to each other.

Original poster
familyfun · 04/02/2013 21:51

oh god, that sounds a lot, thats a long time to try and take my mind off it. got to go alone becuase dp will be with dc.
i need to be brave

OP posts:
ant3nna · 04/02/2013 22:11

It will go in no time. I hardly got any of my book read this time. And you replace the blood in a few days so its really nothing to worry about.

Original poster
familyfun · 04/02/2013 22:15

thanks

OP posts:
cq · 04/02/2013 22:18

I used to give blood regularly when I was a student - anything for free biscuits Smile

Went just last Friday for the first time in about 25 years and it all went really well, despite having invisible veins - they called over the senior nurse who found one and she put the needle in. I couldn't see a thing, just looked away and all was fine.

Took it easy for the rest of the day. Went for a run the next morning and really really struggled. Have only just realised reading up thread that it might have been something to do with giving blood now I'm so old Grin

StaticSockMonster · 04/02/2013 22:23

The first time I gave blood I was absolutely kacking myself. I didn't like needles. Or blood. But I was 17 and we were being sponsored as part of our charity week at sixth form so I couldn't not do it.
Since then I gave blood regularly until I had DS.
It does seem an awful lot that they take but in reality is not.
I always found the people who did it absolutely lovely. Answered any questions I had. Put me at ease. And gave me tea a biscuits ;)
I never booked an appointment, ours was a "walk in" thing. Probably best as if I had had an appointment I would have had the opportunity to talk myself out of it!
You are doing a good thing. You are saving lives.
And you know what, if you do change your mind there's always next time.

One thing I would say is don't watch them doing it. Be nosey and see what everyone else is doing. (Or maybe that's just me cuz I'm a nosey cow Wink)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 04/02/2013 22:34

It is fine, they know a lot of people are nervous and they are well trained to put you at ease and make sure you are as comfortable as possible. They are also on the lookout for people feeling faint and look after you very well if that does happen (it has happened to me 2 or 3 times over about 25 years). In all that time I have never seen anyone actually faint, just the occasional person feeling lightheaded. I can't watch the needle go in, but after that it is fine (if it is uncomfortable you just have to say and they will adjust it). Do take it easy for the rest of the day though. Well done for deciding to do it.

Original poster
familyfun · 05/02/2013 12:57

im going on an evening so dp can have kids, so i can drive back, have a bath and go to bed.
if i didnt book an appointment i would go, thats why ive booked as i know i wont let them down.
it will be an achievement for me as im quite shy and going alone.

OP posts:
fubbsy · 05/02/2013 13:08

The Blood Service people are lovely. It's part of their job to put you at ease. I am shy myself, usually just sit reading a newspaper for most of the time.

It will also be an achievement because you could be helping to save someone's life. Seriously a good thing.

OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly · 05/02/2013 13:27

I think giving blood is actually easier than blood tests (I had 5 little tubes taken the other day) as when you're donating, they aren't constantly wiggling the needle when changing test tubes.

You'll have a lovely night's sleep after donating, I always do as I'm nice and tired from it!

I've been going since I was a student (when they used to give out free pints of Harp and Guinness) and they really look after you here too (Ireland). Just take advantage of the free cuppa and biccies afterwards.

Jestrin · 05/02/2013 21:48

Can I say thank you? I received blood after the birth of my daughter who is now 10. I was very ill. Its thanks to selfless people like you, that help people like me. Smile

gobbin · 10/02/2013 11:39

I was going to say that jestrin

I am eternally grateful for people who donate as I needed blood after my bowel resection in 99. It was this that prompted my DH to start giving again after many years of not going.

HermioneE · 10/02/2013 12:38

Good for you for booking :)

It does take a bit of time so I recommend having a book/phone handy. Only 5/10 mins but it's long enough that it's nice to have something to do.

Blood donation nurses are totally practiced at this though so they'll make it as painless as possible.

Good luck, enjoy feeling nice and smug afterwards! Grin