how long after pregnancy can you donate blood

How soon after having a Baby can you donate blood?

Blood Donation after pregnancy The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center test donations of plasma and platelets from women who have been pregnant and had a live birth. Research has shown that between 10 to 20 percent of women who have been pregnant have Human Leukocyte Antibodies in their bodies, which can be harmful to recipients of donated ...

What happens if you donate blood while pregnant?

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, we may require a waiting period before you can donate blood. Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.

Why does one get sick after donating blood?

Antibodies against HLA antigens may form after an organ transplant, a blood transfusion or a pregnancy. They do not cause any harm to the body of the person making them and the person is not ill because of having them. Anti-HLA antibodies produced in the body after pregnancy usually have no effect on the woman or on her subsequent pregnancies.

What conditions disqualify you from donating blood?

Not right away. For your health, following childbirth you need to wait at least nine months and until your baby is significantly weaned (that is, getting most of his/her nutrition from solids) before you donate blood. But you may still be able to help in a different, and very special, way. If you have excess breast milk you may be able to donate it to help premature babies.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood?

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations. Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations . Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. First-time male donors may be eligible to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man in more than 3 months.

How long after blood transfusion can you donate?

Blood Transfusion. Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States. You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands.

What is the age limit for blood donation?

There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation. Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood.

How long after taking aspirin can you donate blood?

Aspirin. Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday.

Does the Red Cross accept hemochromatosis?

American Red Cross does not accept individuals with hemochromatosis as blood donors. Learn more about Hematocrit here. Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count. In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL.

How to contact the Red Cross for blood donation?

Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. For the purposes of blood donation gender is self-identified and self-reported, which is relevant to the transgender community.

How is blood volume determined?

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using.

Can you donate while breastfeeding?

You can donate blood while breastfeeding, but only after a certain amount of time after giving birth. The length of time depends on where you are.

What else can you do?

If you are pregnant, or haven’t had enough time post pregnancy to be eligible to donate blood (or maybe you just can’t stand the thought of big needles- I hear you), there are still other things you can do to help.

Where are HLA antigens found?

Some are only in blood cells. Others are in all the different tissues of the body. These proteins’ main work is to reject tissue transplanted from one individual to another as a protection to the body.

Can HLA antibodies be produced after pregnancy?

Anti-HLA antibodies produced in the body after pregnancy usually have no effect on the woman or on her subsequent pregnancies.

What is a TRALI?

In rare instances, a condition called Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury ( TRALI) can occur. The likelihood of this harmful reaction depends on the specific antibodies and amount of antibodies in the donor’s blood. The types of the HLA proteins in the person receiving the blood, the amount of blood transfused and the size ...