Planning to donate blood soon and wondering what will happen when you do? We will show you every step in the blood donation process.
Registering and questionnaire
When you arrive at the donor centre or a mobile blood drive, the first thing you will be asked to do is to fill in a questionnaire about the state of your health. It has questions, for instance, about time you may have spent abroad and about previous illnesses. The questionnaire is used to assess whether you are currently able to donate blood, so it is important that you answer all questions truthfully. The questionnaire also serves as the basis for a short pre-donation examination.
Examination
A member of the medical staff will take your blood pressure and your pulse. Your finger will be pricked to collect a drop of blood for use in checking your haemoglobin count. The examination is also a good opportunity to get answers to any questions you might have, to clear up anything in the questionnaire that you weren’t sure about or in case you are simply feeling a bit nervous. It may seem like a lot of fuss for just one little blood donation. But it is the only way for the medical staff to determine whether you are currently eligible to donate.
Blood collection
After the examination comes the main event: the collection of blood. Once you’ve made yourself comfortable on a recliner, a member of the medical staff will insert a needle (which you will barely feel) and blood collection will start. Within 10 minutes, 450 ml of blood will be drawn from your vein – naturally, a member of staff will be nearby the entire time. The next steps will take just a few moments: the needle will be carefully removed and the insertion site disinfected and covered with a small plaster and bandage.
Rest and refreshments
It is important that you give your body time to recover after the blood has been collected, so do not get up right away. Having a bite to eat and something to drink after your donation will also do you good. There will be a small snack and a beverage waiting for you, don’t pass them by!
The entire process takes about an hour. The medical staff will give you some important information to take home and will look forward to seeing you again at your next donation in 10–12 weeks.
