Why can't mothers donate blood?

Previous work pointed to one change in women's blood — especially women who have been pregnant — that may make transfusions risky. Known as transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), it is caused by antibodies that mothers make when they are pregnant, and can cause severe lung problems.
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Can a mom donate blood?

Dr. Jack Newman is a physician specializing in breastfeeding support and advocacy. He says any otherwise eligible mother who is not anemic can donate blood. Whether to donate blood is a personal decision.
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Why can't breastfeeding mothers donate blood?

Blood is thicker than water: potential side effects to donating blood while breastfeeding. One pint of blood is removed during a donation and about half of this pint is water. Since 87% of breast milk is water, nursing woman can easily decrease their output of breastmilk with blood donation related dehydration.
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Why can't females donate platelets?

For women who have been pregnant, their platelet donations are tested for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) antibodies. The presence of antibodies to Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) in the blood can cause an adverse reaction in patients receiving blood including lung injury and poor response to platelet transfusions.
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Why can't family members donate blood to each other?

Family blood donation is generally discouraged as they are often first time or infrequent donors and do not have a safety history established. Additionally, mothers may have antibodies that react against RBC, leukocyte, platelet, or HLA antigens expressed on neonatal cells.
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Why British People Can't Donate Blood in America



Can a husband give blood to his wife?

Donations from close blood relatives may be made after the bone marrow or stem cell transplant. A husband should not donate blood to his wife during childbearing years because it could increase the risk of complications in future pregnancies.
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Can a parent always donate blood to their child?

Patients choose their own blood donors. For example, parents can donate blood to their children. Patients feel safer by selecting their own donors. Blood types must be the same or compatible.
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Can you give blood while on your period?

1. Can you give blood on your period? "You may give blood during a period, but if you're having a particularly heavy period it would be better for you not to," Dunkley explains. "This is because any form of blood loss can reduce the iron levels in your body and potentially make you feel unwell for a short time.
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Why can only males donate plasma?

Plasma contains antibodies thought to cause TRALI. These antibodies develop when an individual is exposed to cells from another person, such as during pregnancy or transfusion. This means that more women carry these antibodies than men.
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Can O positive donate blood to anyone?

Group O can donate red blood cells to anybody. It's the universal donor. Group AB can donate to other AB's but can receive from all others.
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Can people with tattoos donate blood?

If you have recently gotten a tattoo, you are required to delay donating blood for at least 6 months. In between this period, you will not be eligible for blood donation.
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Can you give blood with tattoos?

Yes, you can donate blood if you have tattoos

If you got a tattoo in the last three months, it is completely healed, and was applied by a state-regulated facility, which uses sterile needles and fresh ink—and you meet all donor eligibility requirements—you can donate blood!
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How soon after birth can you give blood?

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.
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Why can't I donate plasma after having a baby?

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 platelets or plasma.
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What happens if you give blood while pregnant?

Pregnant women are not eligible to donate blood. The body needs the blood and its iron to support the fetus. 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.
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Can LGBT donate plasma?

Gay and bi men on PrEP still have a 1-year deferral period – however can donate plasma after 3 months. A 1-year deferral was implemented following the publication of standardized donor history questionnaire in December 2019. Previously, there was an indefinite ban on donations.
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Why is men's blood better than women's?

Men's blood often contains fewer antibodies

The absence of some antibodies in men's blood makes it easier to use in blood products such as plasma and platelets. They are often used to treat people with burns and cancer or those in accidents or with weakened immune systems.
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Can a woman donate blood to a man?

Any healthy adult, both male and female, can donate blood. Men can donate safely once in every three months while women can donate every four months.
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Is it normal to feel sick the day after giving blood?

People may feel fatigued or experience some dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea after donating blood. This is because of the temporary lowering of blood pressure.
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Can donating blood affect ovulation?

A woman's blood group could influence her chances of getting pregnant, scientists have found. Those with blood type O may struggle to conceive due to a lower egg count and poorer egg quality, while those with blood group A seem to be more fertile.
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What is the minimum weight required for blood donation?

You weigh at least 50 kg. * In some countries, donors of whole blood donations should weigh at least 45 kg to donate 350 ml ± 10% . Health: You must be in good health at the time you donate.
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Do blood donors get free blood?

If I'm a donor and I need blood, will I get it free of charge? No. All recipients must submit their accounts to their medical aid. However, in the case of a regular donor with no medical aid, we'll enter into negotiation about the account.
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What percentage of donated blood is actually used?

When you imagine where donated blood goes, accidents where a patient has lost a lot of blood likely come to mind. But you might be surprised to hear that only 2 percent of donated blood gets used by trauma patients.
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How much is a pint of blood?

A pint of blood is equivalent to 473.18 mL. Blood is connective tissue fluid that flows through arteries and veins, providing body tissues with oxygen and nutrition necessary for their survival.
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Can lesbians donate blood?

Can I donate blood? Individuals who identify as female and have sex with a man, may be eligible to donate blood, if all other blood donation eligibility criteria are applicable.
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