Plasma donation

I have been thinking of donating plasma after Covid and was waiting for the right time. Neha got a whatsapp message of a friend who needed it urgently. They required A+ve. Wife, wanted to donate, but unfortunately, she could not due to medical restrictions about mothers donating. I was only there, in case more plasma was required. I am O+ and being a universal donor, I was brought into action. This is the 1st time I was donating plasma. There were a lot of fears associated with plasma donation, but all never false. We went to the Serological blood bank in Navipeth Pune. 

My antibody report was checked and i filled the form indicating my current health. 
My BP was checked initially. I came to know that plasma donation will take 1 hour. I was giving a glass of Glucose.

There were a few mosquitoes and I shooed them away only for the reason, that the plasma is very important to a human.

In the room above the blood blank. The technician, then checked my veins and connected the tube into the blood component separation machine. Plasma, platelets are separated using the same machine. It is a separator machine  which increases or reduces pressure in the hand and the pipe which carries the blood.

I was given a few calcium tablets to suck. A sponge ball to press, when the machine beeps.
The machine initially takes the blood and after taking the plasma, passes the blood back into the veins. It take 150 -200 ml at one time and puts it back.

Some key points to remember (Information as received from various doctors and blood banks)

1. Atleast 30-40 days should have passed after recovering from covid

2. Do an antibody test. If the value is above 20, you can donate the plasma

3. Inform the blood bank, if you have any pre-existing ailments or are on medications

4. Women with kids are not allowed to donate plasma to covid patients

5. Ensure, you have eaten before donating

6. The process takes 1hour, so ensure you have the required time in hand

6. A total of 600 ml of blood is circulated through the machine and plasma extracted

7. At any point of time 150-200ml is removed and added again into the veins

8. The process for me was painless and it is very safe.

9. There is no known weakness after plasma donation

10. Plasma can be donated after every 15 days.

I will request everyone to who have recovered from Covid to donate their plasma for Covid patients.