Your Guide to Giving Blood | A Step By Step Run Through

Ok so I understand that not everyone is going to want to give their blood away for many different reasons, however, if you are healthy enough to do so, then I say, why not? Now this is not a post trying to persuade those who haven't given blood to give blood, this post is merely for those thinking of doing it, but maybe are unsure as to how to go about it or aren't sure about what it entails. Many people I have spoken to about it have asked me different questions, so instead of making this a 'Frequently Asked Questions' post, I'm just going to give you a step by step guide to giving blood.



DISCLAIMER - I am not a professional phlebotomist or nurse, I am merely speaking from experience. If there are any medical issues that could put your health at risk, or the health of the recipient at risk, then I recommend not to partake in giving blood. If you are unsure about whether or not you can give blood, you can click on one of the links below which will give you a list of detailed restrictions or requirements depending on the link you decide to click on!



Find Out Who CAN Give Blood
Find Out Who CAN'T Give Blood



Step 1

Firstly, to be able to give blood, you must be at least 17 years of age. Secondly, you need to sign up to the Blood Donor Register (link to which will appear at the end of this paragraph). In order for you to do this, you can either ring (I will also leave the telephone number below, with the link to the sign up page) or visit the sign up page.



REGISTER HERE
Or Call Them - 0300 123 23 23



Now, whilst you are in the process of registering, they will ask you a series of health questions, this information will be kept 100% confidential. The reason why they need to ask you is so that your health doesn't deteriorate by giving blood, and also so the recipient doesn't become more ill. If you refuse to supply them with the sufficient information then they can refuse to put you on the register, they are just being careful, so don't worry!



Step 2

Ok, so now you are all signed up and ready to go! The next thing you will be asked to do is to pick an appointment. Now, if you are registering on their website, they will ask you for your postcode, this is just so they can find the right appointment for you, at a place that is in rather close proximity to your permanent home of residence.



Once you have supplied that info, you can then click on a place and then a time that you would want to give blood. If, for whatever reason, you have to miss your first appointment, then don't worry, with the info you supplied them with when you registered, they can ring you and ask when you would like your next appointment to be. Don't worry, you can cancel or change your appointment at anytime. So no pressure!



Step 3

Alright, so the time has come for you to give away a pint of your blood. Don't be too stressed out, as being relaxed is the best thing you can do! In the hours leading up to your appointment, make sure you have a good and hearty breakfast followed by a generous sized lunch or dinner! It is so IMPORTANT that you drink plenty of fluid, they do not recommend drinking alcohol or soft/fizzy drinks but water and juice/squash is acceptable! The recommended volume for you to drink is at least 3 pints. So make sure you drink a lot throughout your day. This is just so you don't feel faint or sick after you have given blood. Oh, and it is also very important that you wear comfortable and baggy clothing, preferably T-shirts or tops with short sleeves.



To learn more about preparing yourself to give blood, visit the link below!
Preparing to Give Blood



When you enter the clinic, a nurse will ask you to fill out a health form, this is for the nurse to inspect. Before they get down to actually taking the blood, you need to go and sit in a separate waiting area. Everyone is extremely friendly and you get drinks and lots of lovely biscuits to munch on! At this point, you are waiting to be seen by a nurse who will check your iron levels, they will do this by giving you a finger prick (yes I thought of Elf too ;) ). This stings for a few seconds but not much, after that they will put you a plaster on, if you are not allergic, then, once you have the all clear to move on to the next station, you wait in another seating area, this is where you will wait until you are called over to have your blood taken.



Step 4

After all the waiting is done, it is now your turn to have your blood taken. Now, if you bring someone along to support you, then they cannot come and sit by you when you have your blood taken, so yes, you will be on your own, but all of the staff are really nice and friendly. Some people bring a book or a magazine along with them so they are distracted.



Before they insert the needle, they will disinfect the area, don't worry about this, its just so no infections can pass through your blood stream. They will insert the needle as gently and as efficiently as possible. 9 times out of 10, they get the vein first time! It isn't painful, it stings for the first 10 seconds, but apart from that, it doesn't hurt, just make sure not to bend your arm or move it too much throughout the process. It takes anywhere between 5-15 minutes for your blood to be taken, they will take just under a pint and this has to be done slowly so your body doesn't go into shock!



If you do start to feel faint or sick during the process, you will NEED to notify one of the nurses, they will immediately take the needle and the tube out as quickly as possible! Even though this has never happened to me, I have seen it happen to others!



Step 5

So they now have a pint of your blood! GREAT! You have done something truly AMAZING and I salute you! So, what happens to your blood now? Well, they can either give it to a patient who is in desperate need of a blood transfusion or they can give it to medical research! To learn more about where your blood could possibly go, click the link below!



How is Blood Used?



When you have finished, they will guide you over to another station where drinks and biscuits are available! Now, in the situation where you need to use the bathroom, you need to notify one of the nurses, they will lead you to the toilet and wait outside. This is just in case you faint or have a seizure, it would not be good if you didn't have medical assistance near by!

Step 6 - THE EXCITING PART

Within about 10 days of giving blood, you will receive a card in the post, the same size as a credit card, this will have your name, your donor ID number and, your blood type! I am A Positive! Not many people know their blood type, but if you have given blood before, the likely hood is that you know it already!
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I hope you feel as rewarded and fulfilled as I did when I first gave blood and its an experience that I will never forget! Go and do something amazing, give blood!
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I hope you enjoyed reading this!



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DISCLAIMER
I have not been sponsored or been paid to write this post, all opinions expressed are my own. If there are any particular areas where I feels my knowledge isn't as strong I have used professional links for your own benefit.