Plasma donation, a process called plasmapheresis, involves drawing blood, separating the plasma component, and returning the remaining blood cells to the donor. Plasma is the yellowish liquid portion of blood, rich in proteins and antibodies. These components are used to create life-saving therapies for conditions like immune deficiencies and clotting disorders. Eligibility for donation is based on medical guidelines concerning the recent history of pregnancy and current breastfeeding status.
Eligibility and Deferral Periods
The eligibility of a nursing mother to donate plasma is determined by specific waiting periods and the policies of the collection center. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets broad guidelines for donor suitability, which are implemented by both volunteer organizations and commercial plasma centers. These guidelines generally require a period of deferral following delivery, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy, often ranging from six to twelve months after the event.
Many commercial plasma centers explicitly defer a mother from donating while she is actively nursing a baby. However, some centers may allow donation if the infant is no longer solely reliant on breast milk for nutrition, typically after solid foods have been introduced. The deferral period ensures the mother’s body has recovered from the volume changes and potential blood loss associated with childbirth. Donors must meet minimum health standards, including being at least 18 years old, weighing a minimum of 110 pounds, and passing a physical screening that checks hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
Maternal Physiological Considerations
Plasma donation places a temporary physiological demand on the mother’s body that must be considered alongside the demands of lactation. The donation process removes a significant volume of plasma, requiring the body to rapidly replace the lost fluid. Since breast milk is primarily water, an actively nursing mother’s body is already working to maintain high hydration levels to support her milk supply.
This fluid volume loss from plasmapheresis, if not quickly and adequately replaced, can temporarily affect the mother’s overall hydration status. Dehydration can subsequently decrease the volume of milk produced, potentially impacting the infant’s feeding. Lactation naturally stresses maternal nutrient reserves, including iron, and the donation process may exacerbate this depletion. Therefore, medical screening before donation includes a check of hemoglobin levels to confirm the mother’s red blood cell count is within a healthy range, protecting her from the risk of anemia.
Safeguarding Infant Health
Deferral policies are also in place to safeguard the infant, primarily by ensuring the mother’s system is clear of certain substances and has fully recovered from pregnancy. The rigorous screening process donors undergo includes testing for infectious diseases to maintain the safety of the plasma supply. Furthermore, the mother is screened for any medications she may be taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Many medications are known to transfer into breast milk, and donation centers must assess the potential risk of transferring these substances to the plasma recipient. The post-delivery deferral period helps ensure that any medications administered during labor and delivery have completely cleared the mother’s system. While most plasma centers do not test breast milk, they rely on the extended deferral periods and medication questionnaires to mitigate any risk to the recipient. Consulting with a healthcare provider remains the best way for a mother to determine if and when it is safe to consider donating plasma based on her individual health and her baby’s nutritional needs.