Donating blood takes only a few minutes – after the initial registration and application. Find out what to expect when donating blood and what you should be aware of before and after donating blood below.
What should you consider before donating blood?
On the day of blood donation, you should drink a lot (about 2.5 to 3 liters). Already from the day before you should avoid fatty foods and alcohol. However, be careful not to donate on an empty stomach: Your last meal should not have been more than four hours ago.
It is also best to refrain from smoking at least four hours before donating, as cigarettes impair the quality of the blood plasma. Exercise before donating is also not advisable.
Blood donation procedure
On the day of the blood donation, bring some time with you – you should allow at least one hour, and a little more for the first donation. Blood donations usually proceed as follows:
- Registration: An official personal document (ID, passport, driver’s license) and (if already available) the blood donor passport is required. To answer is then a donor questionnaire on health history.
- Medical examination: a personal interview with the doctor and a short health check, where blood pressure and pulse are measured.
- Hemoglobin check: the blood pigment level and body temperature are determined to provide information about your ability to donate.
- Blood draw: during the blood draw, which lasts about ten minutes, half a liter of blood flows into the blood bag applied.
- Blood donor passport: a first-time donor learns his blood group and blood group characteristics when he receives his blood donor and casualty passport. This takes about three weeks.
What to consider after donating blood?
After donating blood, you should also make sure to drink plenty of fluids to make up for your loss. Eat something and rest for at least another ten minutes under supervision on site to strengthen your circulation. It is advisable to wait at least 30 minutes before driving and not to pick up cigarettes again for at least four hours.
Furthermore, you should refrain from sports activities or a visit to the sauna.
Within a few days, most of the components of your blood will be regenerated – only the red blood cells need about two months to be completely regenerated.
What do I personally gain from donating blood?
For those who are still unsure whether they should really donate blood, here are four reasons why donating blood makes sense. Donating blood brings you:
- The proud feeling of having helped a person in a difficult life situation.
- Your own health check, because the blood is tested for diseases at every donation. If there is a conspicuous finding, you will be informed.
- The free determination of your own blood group.
- Accelerated regeneration of blood components (with regular blood donation) helps to overcome injuries or diseases faster.
Incidentally, in addition to donating whole blood, it is also possible to donate platelets or plasma (blood plasma).
