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Plasma Donation: Is It Safe for Pregnant Women to Donate?

Patients in critical condition who suffer from shock, trauma, burns, or other situations may require blood transfusions. Similarly, patients undergoing certain therapies necessitate the use of a plasma donation. 

Plasma donations are essential as plasma cannot be synthesized artificially, and only certain people are qualified to donate plasma.

Some people regularly donate plasma to help others, earn a bit of cash, and stimulate the production of new blood supply in the body. While this may sound great, you should know a few things before heading to donate plasma near you.

Pregnant women should not donate plasma, and you should wait at least six weeks before giving again. Even after six weeks, it is advisable to seek medical advice. 

There are other hazards involved in plasma donations from pregnant women, which we’ll go over in detail in this article.

Understanding Plasma

Plasma is sometimes referred to as the “forgotten” component of blood. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are the three components of blood we usually know about. However, plasma is as important as these solid parts of the blood.

Plasma, a yellow fluid, transports various blood components throughout the body. As a result, plasma takes up a significant portion of your body in this sense. It accounts for 55 percent of your total body weight.

Plasma is tasked with distributing vital salts, enzymes, minerals, hormones, and water throughout the body. It also disposes of the cellular waste product.

To donate plasma, the blood is taken from the donor first. The blood is then run through a machine that separates the plasma and collects it. 

Unlike a blood donation, the needle used in plasma donations is smaller in size. Donating plasma might also take a slightly longer time since any remaining blood cells are returned to the donor.

Plasmas from the AB group are in high demand. This is because AB plasmas can be given to people of any blood type.

Requirements for Donating Plasma

Not everyone can easily donate plasma. Like blood donors, plasma donors also go through screenings. There are requirements for age, weight, and medical history. People who recently got tattoos, piercings, or COVID-19 cannot donate plasma. Likewise, those who are pregnant should not be donating plasma.

Risks of Donating Plasma While Pregnant

Pregnant women shouldn’t give plasma since there is a risk of complications in the recipient’s body. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) is a protein found in pregnant women’s bodies. These are connected to the body’s cells and serve to inform the body that these cells belong in this body.

The pregnant woman’s baby receives half of the HLAs from the sperm and the other half from the egg while in the womb. Because the woman’s body is unfamiliar with the HLAs from the sperm, antibodies are produced against them. 

When a pregnant woman gives plasma that contains HLA antibodies, the recipient’s body may have a transfusion reaction. TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury) is the name given to this response. It may even result in death.

A plasma transfusion from a pregnant woman may do more harm than good.

Conclusion

Plasma is a vital component to ensure proper blood flow and blood clotting. It is a component that is important to every person.

It is important to remember that pregnant women are forbidden to donate plasma. There is a risk that they may pass HLA antibodies on to a recipient. This would cause a complication that can be life-threatening.

Do you want to make a plasma donation in NJ? thplasma welcomes walk-in donations with no appointments necessary. Become a donor today!