Can you donate blood during pregnancy? Learn why you can’t donate during pregnancy and when you can resume after birth. Finding out that you’re pregnant is an exciting time, bringing many changes to your life, including significant physical changes, but there are good reasons why you need to wait.
If you’re a regular blood donor, you may wish to continue donating during your pregnancy, especially if you are feeling healthy and well. However, there are important reasons we ask expectant mothers to take a temporary break and focus on their own health and their baby’s development during this special time.
Can You Donate Blood During Pregnancy?
The simple answer is no, you cannot donate blood during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases by nearly 50% to support the growing foetus. Because of this, the body needs more red cells and iron to keep healthy levels. The developing foetus depends entirely on the mother for iron and other essential nutrients for development and donating blood during pregnancy could compromise iron levels and increase the risk of anaemia.
Anaemia can cause various complications such as:
- fatigue,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- and in severe cases can cause premature births or low birth weight.
Another consideration is blood pressure. Some pregnant women experience lower blood pressure and donating blood could increase this risk and may cause fainting, which could lead to injury.
For these reasons, blood donation and pregnancy do not go hand in hand. This pause is temporary — and it’s there to protect you.
When Can You Donate Blood After Giving Birth?
The good news is you don’t have to wait too long after giving birth to get back to saving lives. Whether you had a natural birth or a caesarean, the standard deferral period after delivery is three months.
If you are breastfeeding, you may donate blood:
- One month after stopping exclusive breastfeeding or
- One month after your baby has started eating solid food and is no longer completely dependent on breastmilk.
New mothers sometimes require a blood transfusion during childbirth, most commonly due to excess post-partum haemorrhage. If you receive a blood transfusion, you’ll need to wait three months before donating blood again. If you want to be inspired by how blood saved first-time mom, Tayla Thorpe’s life, you can read the article here.
Although many expectant and new mothers are eager to donate blood, taking this time to rest and celebrate this milestone is necessary. When you’re ready to safely return, we’ll be ready to welcome you back. For now, enjoy caring for yourself and your little one.
