Blood Type

[TheAnswerIs42]

Sky Bones, I also have a deathly fear of needles. I donated blood before once just to prove I could do it, and swore never to do it again. (I'm sorry, people who need it, I barely made the cutoff on getting it out in time, and the last thing I want to do is go through that and have it not count.) The blood draws for pregnancy give me nightmares. But my Hypnobirthing training helps me - I just kinda zone out and try to relax. The only problem is last time they had to get the helplock in for my pitocin something about me focusing and trying to calm down made my blood flow so slow they couldn't get it to work. So they had to try four times. Ugh.

So, to recap, I would recommend relaxation therapy, but in the case of drawing blood it might be counterproductive.

[krebscout]

(I'm sorry, people who need it, I barely made the cutoff on getting it out in time, and the last thing I want to do is go through that and have it not count.)

That's exactly what happened to me. I also had a weird emotional reaction to it (I both laughed and cried during the process, while nothing was particularly funny or sad), and then they couldn't use the blood. I'm A+.

[Dragon Lady]

The last time I went I didn't make the cutoff. But turns out that was largely because the needle was bent and couldn't get a good draw. They had to keep twisting it and I ended up with a fantastic bruise and none of it even mattered. They got enough blood that I still had to wait the full time to donate again. (And then I got pregnant, so I can't.) But typically I'm really fast. Yellow and I have a slight friendly competition to see who can go the fastest. Not really, but it seems to happen every time. I think it started when the same guy was drawing both of our blood and BJ started first and finished before I did, but when I finished the guy leaned over and whispered, "You finished in 5.x minutes (or something, I don't remember the exact time) and he took 6.x minutes. Good job on winning!" So then we just started joking about it each time. But don't try to go too fast or they won't count it either.

I guess, point is, just because you barely make it or don't make it in time once doesn't mean it'll be like that every time. (But by all means, if there are other good reasons not to donate, then don't do it. Just don't let that be your ONLY reason.)

[Imogen]

there's a time limit? i had no idea.

well, all this talk of needles and bad veins will hopefully prepare me for my ear surgery on the 12th. i have to get an IV. the other option was to be fully awake and aware of what the doctor is doing to my eardrum. NO THANKS!

[Dragon Lady]

If it takes too long, then your blood can clot and that's bad (for the donated blood), so they won't accept it. If it goes to fast they assume they must have hit an artery and they can't accept that either. At least, that's what I understand.

[Whistler]

the other option was to be fully awake and aware of what the doctor is doing to my eardrum. NO THANKS!

I once had ear tube surgery as a child while awake. It was really, really loud and terrifying. But I could stand up and get my prescription right afterward!

[Imogen]

the other option was to be fully awake and aware of what the doctor is doing to my eardrum. NO THANKS!

I once had ear tube surgery as a child while awake. It was really, really loud and terrifying. But I could stand up and get my prescription right afterward!

i just don't want to have to take out my tragus piercing, but i'm sure i will.

[NerdGirl]

i just don't want to have to take out my tragus piercing, but i'm sure i will.

Just don't forget to put it back in like my SIL did with her nose ring after her gallbladder surgery!

[Wisteria]

Wow, I love that we just came full circle back to the nose ring on a different thread. It really makes me quite happy.

[NerdGirl]

I do what I can to tie everything together in one giant ball aof randomness.

[Whistler]

I found out my blood type today: O+

[Wisteria]

Heh. I actually love to do that too, NerdGirl. I'll often bring back things that I found entertaining from earlier in the conversation, or a previous conversation, and sometimes I'll get strange looks, but it's great fun.