I have been donating blood five times a year since I was 17 (more than 11 years ago), except for some tattoo-related vacations. Fainting is very frequent when it is the first time. Getting nervous and worked up is really what causes it. If you breathe and relax, do some yoga breathing, or just feel calm because you've already done it, it won't happen again. It is very, very common.
Good to know! I will probably be happy to donate again in the future, once I summon some chutzpah and just remember to breath and stay calm. And elevate my feet! ;)
And be sure to eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before and after.
My ma is a lab tech for a hospital (the people that draw blood), so I was always ingrained with a sense of duty to donate blood, as it saves so many lives. But it also gets to be a lot of fun!
Oh my! Wow, what a dramatic introduction to being a blood donor. *g* Those things can really be terribly embarrassing - despite the fact that it's in no way your fault! And even getting close to fainting is seriously Not Fun. I don't really understand the people who think it'd be all fun and dramatic. :P
I'm glad it wasn't a sign of something serious, though, despite the unpleasantness! (And LOL at your dad's description of his own fainting spell incident. ^.^)
I've been talking with my dad recently about the fact that I'd like to give a blood donation ('cause he said he'd try to go with me if I do). Now I'm hoping my own experience doesn't prove quite so exciting. *g*
Yah, I used to be one of those silly people. Partly because my aunt used to tell me about when she was little and how she could faint on command. I thought that would be an interesting or useful skill. Ever since I blacked out at work ages ago, I know better!
Even with my less then awesome experience, I highly recommend donating. It is, as my co-worker says, a good habit to cultivate! ;)
Yikes! Unpleasant as that experience no doubt was...it certainly makes an amusing story afterwards. ;) But guh, fainting is such a horrible, horrible sensation...you'd think it'd be all dramatic, but it's So. Not. My sister has nearly fainted every time she's given blood, but the person taking care of her has never been so efficient as Sahir. It's always a pretty miserable experience for her, but she's a universal donor and says she feels like that's her super power, so she ought to make use of it. :D
I wish I could donate, but I don't weigh enough! Ah, well.
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My ma is a lab tech for a hospital (the people that draw blood), so I was always ingrained with a sense of duty to donate blood, as it saves so many lives. But it also gets to be a lot of fun!
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I'm glad it wasn't a sign of something serious, though, despite the unpleasantness! (And LOL at your dad's description of his own fainting spell incident. ^.^)
I've been talking with my dad recently about the fact that I'd like to give a blood donation ('cause he said he'd try to go with me if I do). Now I'm hoping my own experience doesn't prove quite so exciting. *g*
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Even with my less then awesome experience, I highly recommend donating. It is, as my co-worker says, a good habit to cultivate! ;)
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I wish I could donate, but I don't weigh enough! Ah, well.
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Erg. Your poor sister. Way un-fun. She's my hero! (Just don't buy her any spandex or a cape...it seems to encourage them...in odd ways!)
Yes, I am a little in love with Sahir now. ;)
You sprite you. *waggles finger* Are you a Fae in disguise???
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