Veins, Needles, Yikes: What to Know Before Having Blood Drawn

If you're having your procedure done in a hospital or healthcare setting, there's a good chance that your blood will be drawn by a phlebotomist, one who specializes in drawing blood, according to Diane Crawford, CEO and Founder of the National Phlebotomy Association. It's important for you as a patient or donor to be prepared before getting blood drawn and don't be afraid to ask questions or assert yourself.

Do you break out into a cold sweat at the thought of a needle pricking your body? You're not alone. Needle phobia can manifest in the form of feeling panic or experiencing signs of fainting. Make sure to inform the person performing your blood draw about your fears so they can work with you to make your experience a comfortable and safe one. Charif Elmasri, Manager of Transfusion Medicine at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, says that they may suggest certain techniques to tense your muscles and allow for better blood flow. These techniques fall under a method of treatment known broadly as applied tension, which works to increase your blood pressure and prevent fainting. You can learn more about applied tension here.

If you're an adult accompanying a child for a procedure, good old-fashioned tricks of distraction can come in handy. Crawford suggests using stuffed animals or anything else that can lure the child's attention away from the needle. Although the element of distraction isn't just for kids, but works on adults too. "We tell the donor they don't have to look at the needle. We cover the needle. We have monitors in front of them to watch a movie or to watch TV. We keep them entertained. We keep them busy," says Elmasri.

"It's advisable for donors...to maintain their regular meal schedule. And if possible, to hydrate even more so than they normally would. Water is best in the last 24 to 48 hours prior to donation. It helps the blood to run a little bit smoother and will generally facilitate a better, faster donation," says Don Escalante, Public Relations Specialist for Lifestream Blood Bank, which is a nonprofit that operates blood donation centers in southern California. Juices and soda/caffeinated beverages will not keep you as hydrated as water will, says Escalante. He recommends drinking roughly the equivalent of 4-6 16 ounce (473 milliliter) bottles of water in the 24 hours prior to donating blood, though this is also solid advice for giving a blood sample during a routine hospital or laboratory visit.

Most donor centers or healthcare professionals in a hospital setting will not explicitly ask you beforehand if you've recently been drinking alcohol. But while it may not be illegal per se to donate or give blood while intoxicated, it is not medically advisable to drink alcohol before or after giving blood. Coffee is also best avoided before and after having blood drawn because it has a dehydrating effect, according to Elmasri.

Moreover, if you appear visibly intoxicated, some donation centers, such as the Australian Red Cross, will turn you away for being under the influence of alcohol. When donating blood, you should generally be healthy, which would generally not include being hungover from last night's happy hour.

Many patients find that they have difficult veins, leading to the stress of having to be pricked numerous times in the search for a good vein. Children and elderly individuals in particular may have small and fragile veins that don’t easily allow a needle-stick — the needle enters the skin just to the side of the target vein, causing it to push, or roll, to one side. Regarding rolling veins: "We experience that a lot, especially with children. The phlebotomist, when they are skilled, will know how to, what we call, 'track' that vein to keep it from rolling," says Crawford.

There are a few things to think about and be aware of if you are thinking about donating blood:

Have any other concerns about your eligibility to donate blood? A detailed questionnaire including questions about medical history and lifestyle is standard procedure for most donation centers, and any concerns related to eligibility will be addressed before you donate. Before scheduling a blood donation, check the regulations with your local blood donation clinic.