To reduce the risk of side effects, take it easy for a bit after donating blood. Remain lying down for another 10-15 minutes, and listen to your body. If you feel unwell, do not hesitate to speak to a member of the medical staff.
We recommend that you stop by the buffet before leaving the donor centre. A small snack and a beverage will be waiting for you there. Don’t pass them by! It is important that you drink plenty of liquids, which will help your body replace the blood fluid you donated.
The first days after donating blood
And afterwards? After the donation, you can spend the rest of your day doing (almost) anything you would normally do. If you are feeling well enough, you can ride a bicycle or drive a car, even do light physical exercise. You should wait a couple of days before engaging in very vigorous training or competition though.
Compared to the total volume of blood, the amount of blood collected during a donation is fairly small, so your body will be able to make up for the loss quite quickly. White blood cells, which play a particularly important role in the fight against diseases, are replaced within one day, as is the blood plasma. Red blood cell counts get back to the pre-donation level within seven days. The body needs several weeks to rebuild its supply of red cells in the bone marrow, though. That is why people can donate only 3-4 times a year.
The donor centre will be there for you after you donate as well. Please feel free to contact the donor centre if you have any questions, feel unwell or are unsure about whether it is okay to engage in a certain activity after donating.
