Can You Donate Blood During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy requires you to make lifestyle changes for yourself and the baby that is growing inside you. Along with avoiding rigorous exercises and making diet changes, there are other things which you may have done before pregnancy, but you need to think twice about when you are pregnant, like blood donation. 

While blood donation is a charitable act, and it may have been safe to do so before you got pregnant, is it safe to donate blood when you are pregnant? Read on to know more.

Can Pregnant Women Donate Blood?

Anaemia occurs due to a lack of blood in the body and it is very common for this condition to happen during pregnancy. Hence, one must avoid donating blood when pregnant. The iron-deficiency anaemia can lead to- 

• low birth weight
• premature birth
• The placenta coming off from the uterus wall which is a dangerous condition called placental abruption

Is Donating Blood Safe For The Unborn Baby?

Donating blood is not safe for an unborn baby because it decreases the iron in the pregnant woman’s body. Iron is an important mineral for foetal development. A pregnant woman with low iron during pregnancy can experience issues like stillbirth, preterm birth and low birth weight.

Donating blood during pregnancy can put the mum and the baby growing inside at risk / Credit – Unsplash

What are the Risks of Donating Blood While Pregnant?

Pregnancy creates a higher requirement of blood in the body to support the growth of the foetus. Here are some risks when you donate blood during pregnancy-

Anaemia

Anaemia occurs when the body does not work efficiently or does not make enough healthy red blood cells. This, in turn, can prevent the body from having enough iron. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of iron-deficiency anaemia. Hence, blood donation can increase the risk of anaemia and the lack of iron puts the baby at risk too. The mum-to-be can also get a headache, get tired easily and can even feel dizzy. 

Low Birth Weight

Deficiency anaemia can cause the low birth weight of the baby which is when the baby weighs less than 2500 gms. Babies with low birth weight can experience breathing problems and have a risk of an underdeveloped immune system and jaundice.

Fainting

The deficiency of iron can cause fainting. Plus, a pregnant woman when donating blood can experience a drop in the blood pressure because of the reduction in the volume of the blood. This can then lead to fainting.

Fainting or falling during pregnancy can cause preterm labour and a drop in the oxygen levels in the foetus which can be fatal.

Preterm Birth

Premature birth is another problem when the body does not get enough iron during pregnancy. Preterm babies tend to have a slower motor and cognitive development along with a risk of facing health issues.

Stillbirth

There can be pregnancy loss after 20 weeks as a result of iron deficiency which leads to stillbirth.

If you want to help others, you can donate your umbilical cord blood after your baby is born. You can donate it either to a private bank or a public cord blood bank. The remaining blood in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of the baby contains stem cells. These are helpful in treating people with life-threatening diseases which include immune system disorders, leukaemia and sickle cell disease.

It is not recommended to donate blood during pregnancy as it puts the mum-to-be at risk of developing iron-deficiency anaemia. Plus, donating blood depletes the iron levels in the body of the pregnant mum which is essential for the baby’s development. They need to wait at least six months after giving birth before they can donate blood safely.

DISCLAIMER: We have taken steps to check the accuracy of information & practices shared above; however, it is not a replacement for a doctor’s opinion. Please check with either your doctor, or an expert, before trying any suggestion, practice, or medication mentioned here.

Cover image source – India Herald