Blood Donation?

Question

I'm donating blood for the first time on the 27th!

What should I expect to happen?
Does it hurt when they prick you with a needle?

And what's the business about my iron levels? Are they worried about them being too high or too low? I'm just worried that they won't let me because it's the time of the month right now and my iron will probably be low.

Tips, suggestions? Thank you!

Answer 1

I donated regularly. First they thing they have you do is that have you read a paper about medication, immunization, if have left the U.S. in the past five years. After you have read that you sit and wait for someone to come and get some info about you. They will take your temp, B.P., heart rate,check the inside of your arms for needle mark,a small blood sample to check your iron levels. It's just like when a diabetic test their blood sugar, a small prick and that stings for a second.They do that to check your thyroid and make sure that it working. I remember that they my iron was high and they this the highest number they will take. Because if it's to high then some going on the same if it too low. I have donated a few time when it was that time of month. They have check this questionnaire about you like if had a tattoo it the past six months, been in prison, had sexual contact with a person who has HIV or STD, if done sexual favors for money, if you had a blood transfusion, if you have shared a dirty needle,if you have donated in the past six weeks, if you have left the U.S. in the past five years, are you feeling well and if had aspirin in the past five days (recommand don't take aspirin five days before you donate.)and if had any treatments that would make you invalid as a donor. (Of course they will leave you can complete the questionnaire.) After this they come back and ask if you have any question. But, while your doing they ask name,address and other background info and they will ask this a couple of times. Then after all that's done you will go wait for some to come and set you up for the donation. (WARNING: If your allergic to idione, they use it to swab your arm.) They ask your name and adress and to see the inside of your arms again. They will sometimes ask if you want to donate from your left are or your right arm because you won't be able to do much with it for a couple hours. They will swab the bend of your arm with achool, and ask to make a fist. They might tap your arm a few time to help them find a blood vessal. Then they wil mark it and swab the area with idoine. They will say don't breathe on, touch or bend your arm and they will wait a few seconds for the idione. ANd the moment you have been waiting for the NEEDLE. I prefer to look away when they insert the needle, they will have you make a fist. Yes, it will sting. And they will ask that if it conutines to sting or burn that you might be allergic to idione. Then they will tape down the tubing and ask you pump your fist every three to five seconds. They motionor and ask how your feeling. For me to fill up a bag it take about 4:30 mintues. After the bags full. they camp it off and the blood that's still in the tubing and put in some tubes, they use these tube to sample your blood for some tests. You may sometime get lightheaded or feel a little nausea and they see if they can find some way to comfort you. They will pull the needle out (again stings a little and look away if needles are not your strong point) and apply pressure and then ask you apply pressure and raise your arm up.They then ask you what color of banbage do you want. They then clean off the extra idoine bandage your arm. They will give a post-donation instruction with your blood bag unit number. They will tell not lift heavy weigh, vigourily exercise or take the bandage off for at least five hours. And a number to call if youare still lightheaded or nauseaed for more then a couple days. They also tell to drink extra liquid and they will send a blood donor card in the mail or a notice that your invalid to be a donor. Sorry for it begin so long but, I wanted to donate blood since I was eight , don't ask me why I just something I want to do. Well Good Luck!!!!
(P.S. your iron level will probably be back to normal by the time your donate.)

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Oh, donating blood is fun ;)

Basically, they'll do the following (it'll differ between places, but this is generic):

- Blood type you
- Ask you questions about infections
- [Optional] Take a "rapid-test" for HIV
- Set you up with an IV to remove the blood
- Out it goes...depending on how much you donate they might put on a movie, or some music, or just talk to you
- Now you're done, and they give you some orange juice, maybe a cookie or two, and send you on your way.

It won't hurt. They'll give you a lidocaine patch, which will numb the area where they put the needle in. Even if they don't give you the lidocaine patch, and they just give you a needle, it won't hurt at all.

The iron levels are because they don't want you to become anemic. If you donate too much, you can be anemic, and that can cause problems. Plus if your iron level is too high to start with (very rare, unless you're being given iron for a medical reason), it can make "full blood" transplants difficult because too much iron can cause medical problems.

Answer 4

I've been doing this since I was 17, and had to stop almost a year ago when I got a tattoo, but I was a donor every other month for 3 years.

They'll try to make you as comfortable as possible, especially because it's your first time. It doesn't really hurt when they stick you with the needle. The worst part is the finger prick that they do to test your iron level before, and that isn't too bad.

Keep your iron level up by eating iron-rich foods like spinach, raisins, and other such things. (I can't remember everything, but you should be able to find a list on the internet.) You could also take iron capsules, but make sure that you don't take them on an empty stomach.

Just relax as much as possible and remember that you're doing something good for someone else. You could save up to three lives. Make sure you eat a good meal before you go, and take full advantage of the free snacks and juice afterwards.

Answer 5

If you eat a healthy diet your iron will be fine. They don't want it to be too low. Your sample will sink quickly if it is OK. A fas as what will happen, they will ask your history, such as illnesses (major) , travel to other countries, contact with others' blood, tattoos or piercings, and other things that may put others at risk from your blood. If you pass that they will scrub your arm really well, and then tie a piece of rubber around your arm. You will squeeze a little block thing to make your vein stand out, Then they'll stick your arm and ask you to squeeze every fifteen seconds or so. It takes from ten to twenty minutes to fill the bag. The needle will hurt a bit going in, I like to watch so that I know what to expect. When you are done , rest a bit in the canteen and drink some water. You are done and can feel great knowing you did a wonderful thing. Good luck!

Answer 6

Many donors donate as an act of charity, but in countries that allow paid donation some donors are paid, and in some cases there are incentives other than money such as paid time off from work. Donors can also have blood drawn for their own future use . Donating is relatively safe, but some donors have bruising where the needle is inserted or may feel faint. Potential donors are evaluated for anything that might make their blood unsafe to use. The screening includes testing for diseases that can be transmitted by a blood transfusion, including HIV and viral hepatitis. The donor must also answer questions about medical history and take a short physical examination to make sure the donation is not hazardous to his or her health. How often a donor can give varies from days to months based on what he or she donates and the laws of the country where the donation takes place.

Answer 7

They check iron to make sure you have enough, if you do not, you are more likely to pass out. When they check iron, they will poke your finger (like if they were checking blood sugar) to get a drop of blood. I think this hurts more than the needle to draw the blood. The needle does hurt, but not to bad. My hand just always gets really cold when i donate so i wear warm gloves. Eat a meal before you go so your sugar levels wont bottom out. You will be fine, just relax..I have give 5 times!

Answer 8

If you are in good health, the most you should experience is a little tiredness for a few days. I gave blood once in high school and then played a soccer game that afternoon-endurance wasnt as great but beyond a couple days of being a little more tired, its no big deal. You might have a little bruising from the needle.

Answer 9

Eat Raisins,Prunes,Beets - some of the foods that ar high in iron-also grapes. Souldn't hurt more than a mosquito but most of the time does not. Just relax and concentrate that you are doing a good thing-relax too for if they decide now is not a good time they will tell you when you can and then do it at that time. They consider your health too and since they are health professionals know what they do.

Answer 10

Don't worry about the iron. The needle won't hurt any more than a shot. Make sure to eat before you donate and you should be fiine.