It may be fascinating to know that your blood increases by almost a whopping 50% during your pregnancy. However, that doesn’t imply that your capacity to donate blood has enhanced manifold. The increased blood flow provides the necessary support and nutrition for the new life developing inside you.
Blood donation is one of the most humane things to do—your contribution can help save many lives. However, during your pregnancy, you are already helping build a human from, well, let’s say from scratch—from the very blood, you think, may save someone’s life. Don’t get disappointed when you are told that you can’t donate because you are pregnant.
The American Red Cross organization advises pregnant moms against donating blood.
How Can Donating Blood In Pregnancy Impact My Baby’s Health
Iron deficiency is the first thing that can hit back on your health. Around 50% of pregnant women already have to deal with anemia at some level. Donating blood may cause a decrease in the count of red blood cells (RBC), contributing to the anemia—decline in the RBC means a lesser amount of oxygen and nutrients reaching the baby.
Anemia in the mother can lead to lower birth weight and even preterm labor. You certainly won’t want to risk your baby’s life with your sincere act of kindness.
Already Donated My Blood Before Discovering My Pregnancy
Such a situation might arise very early in pregnancy, probably in the first two weeks. However, during that phase, your body is still gearing up to be able to provide support for your baby—who is still very tiny to be heavily dependent on your body for their daily requirements.
Moms should know that before one donates the blood, the medical team tests for the hemoglobin levels (to check if the person is anemic), blood pressure, temperature, and weight—the person is tested to be in perfect health before taking the blood. Therefore, if you have given blood, you are already in perfect health and there isn’t a cause to worry when you discover that you are pregnant the very next day. Your baby is safe.
If you still find a cause to worry, contact your doctor and have your blood tested for anemia.
Asked To Give Blood By My Doctor During Pregnancy
Your doctor might ask you for giving blood in cases where the pregnancy carries a risk and you may require blood to make up for the loss caused due to bleeding at some point during the gestation period.
If your doctor has allowed you to give blood, it may be to reduce the risk of hemorrhage caused due to complications that arise when blood is received from other sources.
Such cases are rare—if needed, your doctor may be asking for your blood to be used by yourself in future when the requirement arises.
What Is Cord Blood? Can It Be Donated?
Cord blood is the leftover blood in the umbilical cord and the placenta after the baby is born and physically detached from the mother.
Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells that can be used to treat various ailments related to blood and bone marrow, immune system, sickle cell anemia and even cancer. Some people consider stem-cell banking, which involves collecting and saving the cord blood for medical use in future if the need arises.
If you don’t consider it, you could even donate your baby’s cord blood to be stored in an open stem-cell bank for those who need it. So, instead of feeling sad over not being able to donate blood due to your pregnancy, you could choose to donate cord blood and still help in saving lives.
Your can’t afford to invite risks during your pregnancy. Donating blood during this time could put your or your baby’s life in danger. The period of pregnancy is demanding—make sure you are in the best of health to help your baby grow and develop in the safe sanctum of your body.
