Donating blood during pregnancy may increase the risk of complications such as anemia and compromise fetal health. The Red Cross require a woman to wait at least 6 weeks after giving birth before donating blood.

Haemoglobin levels vary from person to person. Men usually have higher levels than women. A haemoglobin “cut-off” level is set for blood donation to ensure that your haemoglobin will not drop below normal after you have donated blood.

12.5g/dL

The Red Cross checks your hemoglobin level prior to each blood or platelet donation to make sure your level is healthy enough to donate. It may take several weeks for high-iron foods, combined with multivitamins with iron or iron supplements, to increase your levels.

What can I do to improve my hemoglobin levels prior to donation?

1. Chard.
2. Dates.
3. Eggs.
4. Lean beef and pork.
5. Raisins.
6. Shrimp.
7. Spinach.
8. Whole grain breads.

Can I donate if I am pregnant, or have recently been pregnant? During your pregnancy, you are not able to give blood. If you had a blood transfusion during your pregnancy or at delivery then you will not be able to become a blood donor.

Breastfeeding. You can donate if you are breastfeeding, however, you will need to wait until 6 months have passed from the end of your pregnancy before giving blood.

The Blood Service donor questionnaire asks how many pregnancies a donor has had. This question aims to identify donors at risk of carrying antibodies in the blood that may, when transfused to a recipient, cause a rare medical condition known as transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).

You must wait 6 weeks after giving birth to donate blood. This includes a miscarriage or abortion.