Blood Donation?

Question

In a couple weeks my school is having a blood drive, I plan on donating for the first time and I was wondering a few things.
Does it hurt? I have had blood test before, is it like that?
How long does it take?
Can I do anything beforehand to prepare?
What if I do not know my blood type?
Can I prevent from fainting (i have this problem when I go for blood tests)?

Answer 1

Answering some of your questions....

There are a few things that you might want to do in preparation for giving blood. First, be sure to drink plenty of water during the days before (and after) you give blood. Also, if you have low iron (which I do), you might consider taking vitamins with iron supplements for the week before you give blood. (The American Red Cross requires a relatively high iron level in order to give blood, so it's good to be prepared.)

The amount of time that it takes depends on quite a few factors. When I give, it usually takes about an hour from the time I walk into the building to the time I walk out; of that time, only about 15 or 20 minutes are spent 'giving blood.' It just depends on how fast your blood flows. (If you've been drinking water during the days before, it probably won't take too long.)

As far as pain, I think the thing that hurts the worst is when they ***** my finger to do the preliminary blood testing (which they do to check your iron level before they let you give actually donate blood). The initial stick of the needle hurts a little, but it's not too bad.

It's no big deal if you don't know your blood type. They'll type it (and they'll probably let you know what your blood type is eventually--though not typically on the day you donate).

If you're a fainter, there are several things that you can/should do. First, be sure to tell the nurse/technition that it's your first time to give blood and that they will probably need to watch you closely as you've fainted before when having blood tests. Next, try to keep yourself distracted. Carry on a conversation with the nurse, read a magazine, talk to a friend, watch television if there's one in the room; keep your mind engaged and off of what's being done to you. Also, don't cross your legs. Though this sounds funny, having your legs crossed can interfer with blood flow; don't do it.

Best of luck to you. I (as a fellow fainter) know how frightening the first donation can be. Just remember that there are people out there that you're helping to save....

Answer 2

First of all, I appreciate this excellent move on your part.

After the initial pinch of the needle, you may not even realise that the blood is being taken out of the body. Before donation, your blood will be tested for haemoglobin content and the blood type. Your body temperature and blood pressure will be recorded too. The process generally takes half an hour. Drinking enough fluids before and after donation prevents from getting fainted. If you have the problem of fainting, wait a little longer after donation while drinking enough juices etc.
Good Luck. People like you silently save millions of lives all over the world.

Answer 3

Depending on how well you bleed, it can take just a few minutes. To prepare beforehand, drink plenty of water for several days ahead of the day of the drive, make sure you have eaten a full meal before you donate and relax. Don't worry, you don't need to know your blood type. Since you are prone to fainting, tell them about it ahead of time. They will make sure you have an escort over to the canteen, where you get juice or soda and a cookie and can relax until you feel well enough to leave. They usually have an area off to the side where you can lay down if you faint, just in case.

Answer 4

If you've had blood drawn before then yes, it's similar to that. Make sure you eat a good breakfast that day. Donating on an empty stomach can cause fainting. You do not need to know your blood type. They will probably send you a donor's card in a few weeks and it will have your blood type on it. The actual procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, they provide you with orange juice, cookies and other snacks. Sound like fun?

Answer 5

You can donate blood only if you are fit enough to do so. Before every blood donation process, a series of health check-ups are performed on the donor totally free of cost. This will be of great benefit to you. For example, you will come to know of any blood pressure abnormalities. That will help diagnose some of the indolent diseases at the early stage before they get flared up and present with multiple medical problems. Further, after the blood is donated, the blood and blood products that are derived from them are screened for certain infections. You can choose to be informed if they find any abnormality in those screening tests. Frequent blood donations are good free health check-ups that will help you stay healthy.

Answer 6

Blood donation is slightly uncomfortable initially. After the needle is inserted into the bend in your arm, the needle is taped down while the bag fills up. Make sure you eat and drink something an hour before you go. You don't need to know your blood type.

Answer 7

Given over 100 pints.

Initial stick smarts a little.

Takes about 10 min to donate and 10 for paperwork and usually 20-30 before you are allowed to leave

They will type you

Drink lots of fluids in advance; eat breakfast that day

Good luck; you're doing a great thing.

Answer 8

To begin there is nothing you can do to prepare. From start to finish plan on about 2 hours. A very large bore needles is used to collection so it is different than a simple blood draw for testing and you will know it is there. You do not need to know your blood type, they will type and screen your donation.
If you faint at a simple blood draw donating might not be a good idea.

Answer 9

From what I hear, it only takes a few minutes, and don't try to worry too much because you are losing blood which already leaves you weaker, and the worrying may cause your already weakened body to faint. Just be calm, i'm sure it's not too bad. As for bloodtypes, they are supposed to legally check you regardless if you know it or not (to prevent people from lying and mixed blood in transfusions)

Answer 10

well, it wil hurt a bit, and aftr ur arm will be sore, and u will feel sleepy and week, since they took blood out, if i wee u i wouldnt do it, it kinda hurts, not much different from blood test, and if u faint when u get bloode test then blood donation IS NOT ur thing. it can be dangerous to u, since u cant handle it well. so i would advise u not to, hope i helped