donating blood tomorrow

jessbaby Posted: Mar 31, 2005 08:21 PM

donating blood tomorrow

I'm donating blood tomorrow for my surgery. I have to donate a pint. The thing is I have my period. Does that matter? Will they still let me donate?

Carey Posted: Mar 31, 2005 08:23 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Ive never had to donate for a surgery, but when you just do it they dont even ask if you have it. I dont think it matters. You really dont lose much blood during your period.

jessbaby Posted: Mar 31, 2005 08:28 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Yeah I went last week and they wouldnt donate because i had a 99.6 temperature and their cut off was 99.5. And I never was sick. But they never asked me then if I had it but I'm just so nerveous b/c i just want to get it over with.

Gailita Posted: Mar 31, 2005 08:50 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Just make sure you don't get anemic, especially if you have your period. You'll be losing a lot of blood. Good Luck

jessbaby Posted: Mar 31, 2005 09:21 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

thank you. Yes thats one of the things I'm afraid of because they test to make sure I'm not before they take the blood.

jesslangen Posted: Mar 31, 2005 09:30 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

You shouldnt have to worry about it. They will prick your finger for an iron test to make sure there is enough in your blood. As long as that comes back ok your good to go

jessbaby Posted: Mar 31, 2005 09:33 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

I'm going to eat a can of spinach to try and boost up my iron lol

jesslangen Posted: Mar 31, 2005 09:35 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Posted by jessbaby

I'm going to eat a can of spinach to try and boost up my iron lol

broccoli is REALLY good for your iron as well i used to donate blood all the time....and there were plenty of times when cousin flo was visiting, never gave me a problem

jessbaby Posted: Mar 31, 2005 09:45 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

lol cousin flow that is a good one.......Thanks Jess hopefully it will go well....I'm really nerveous. I dont do well giving a tube I can't imagine how ill be with a pint.

nferrandi Posted: Mar 31, 2005 09:50 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

It may make you feel light headed.

Gailita Posted: Mar 31, 2005 10:02 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Posted by jessbaby

I'm going to eat a can of spinach to try and boost up my iron lol

Liver is also good at building iron.

jesslangen Posted: Mar 31, 2005 10:05 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Posted by Gailita

Posted by jessbaby

I'm going to eat a can of spinach to try and boost up my iron lol
Liver is also good at building iron.

Ugh, I cant eat liver

If possible bring Orange Juice with you. It will raise your blood sugar once your done so you wont feel dizzy or light headed when youre done.

I used to donate at least 3 times a year to the long island blood center, so Ive become a pro at this

Butterflybride Posted: Mar 31, 2005 10:27 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Posted by nferrandi

It may make you feel light headed.

The last time I donated blood, I felt VERY lightheaded and nauseaus. Luckily I had already filled my bag. I had donated blood prior to that and never experienced that feeling before. I had eaten beforehand and I didn't have aunt flow. They told me it just happens sometimes.

jessbaby Posted: Mar 31, 2005 11:12 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

I will definetly bring orange juice. Thanks for your help everyone.

February05 Posted: Mar 31, 2005 11:30 PM

Re: donating blood tomorrow

Posted by jessbaby

I will definetly bring orange juice. Thanks for your help everyone.

i donated on tuesday, and i have really low blood pressure and tend to pass out after i donate... so this time i drank 2 glasses of apple juice, and they laid me back in the chair thingy so that my head was lower than my legs, and told me not to squeeze the thing they give you to hold... and i DIDNT pass out!!

so i would definately try to do that, and make sure you drink juice before AND afterwards... it helps sooo much!