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| *Women health>>>Blood Donation |
Blood Donation? |
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)? 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 prick 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.... 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 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. 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. 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) 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? former American Red Cross employee |
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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... if you donate blood it has to be to someone who has the same type as you====example o positve... Not long, they will test bloodtype and iron levels that takes about 5 to 20 minutes depending on the equipnment they use.... |
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