Giving Blood for the first time

So this blog post is a bit of a different one, but after giving blood for the first time ever last weekend I thought I'd share my experience, and put any other first timers minds at ease.

So if it's in the back of your mind to give blood and you are nervous about any aspect of it, let me fill you in on exactly what you can expect.

My first piece of advice is arrive early, I arrived to the clinic 15 minutes before it started and there was still a few people ahead of me, so be prepared to wait! Once it's your turn, you'll be called to a desk and be asked basic details like your name, address, date of birth etc. This takes two minutes and then you'll be given general information on blood donation a questionnaire to fill out.

The questionnaire has about 50 questions asking about your health, recent travels, drug use and sexual activity. The questions are pretty personal (like have you had sex with a man who has had anal or oral sex with another man?) but obviously this information is important. You can expect another few minutes of waiting then you'll be called for an interview.

You can do a quick quiz here to see if you're eligible to give blood!

Image from thejournal.ie

The interview is just a five minute sit down with a nurse who quickly goes over the answers you have given and may ask for some more information. I just had to give more details on my recent travels and on a chest infection I had some months back. This is also where you do a finger prick test to measure hemoglobin levels. They take your middle finger and for want of a better word they 'stamp' down on it with a tiny needle to get some of blood out. This blood is tested then and there and if your levels are high enough you can give blood.

When you've been given the go ahead you go back to the waiting area until you get called by a nurse for your blood to be taken. As there was only a few people ahead of me I wasn't waiting long before I was brought over to a bed. Once you're settled on your bed a blood pressure monitor is strapped to your arm, basically to get your vein to pop out. My vein was in hiding for a while so I had to wriggle my fingers for a bit before we were good to go.

The nurses were extremely nice and told me exactly what was happening and to look away, if necessary, when they were putting the needle in. The needle going in wasn't bad at all, it's more the thought of it that makes me queasy! So once the needle is in (and sellotaped onto you), it's strapped to a few wires and tubes and you are good to go! 

Actually giving the blood takes about 15 minutes and all you need to do is lie there, you can't feel anything. Once you're finished your needle is removed and you get your arm cleaned and plastered. There is a nurse waiting to help you off the bed and bring you over to the snack table, which basically looks like a load of adults at a kids party.

I felt a little bit groggy for a minute or two after giving blood but once I had downed a can of 7up and devoured three mini Toffee Crisps I was right as rain. 

Every single person that I interacted with in the clinic was so appreciative of what I was doing and made sure I was comfortable at every stage. Now that I know exactly what's involved I'm committed to doing this as often as I can and hopefully you will too!

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