By Jenny Farley

When Brittany Berrodin went into the hospital to give birth to her first child, she had no idea she would need blood before she could leave.

Brittany’s pregnancy had been a smooth one, but she developed preeclampsia and had to be induced – the start of a long labor.

The Mayo Clinic says patients with preeclampsia may have high blood pressure and the pregnancy complication can be fatal to the mother or the baby.

“Then when I gave birth to him, I hemorrhaged. And I lost a lot of blood,” she said.

Brittany knew she was anemic, but she didn’t expect that her low hemoglobin level would mean she had to get a blood transfusion. “That was really scary to me.”

After the first transfusion, her hemoglobin level was still so low that medical staffers were surprised she had the strength to stand up. That’s when she needed a second transfusion.

Doctors eventually cleared Brittany to leave the hospital and go home with her newborn son.

“After that happened I was like – I want to give blood. I didn’t even know this was possible during delivery.”

Right now, the American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Donors are needed to make sure transfusions like the ones that helped Brittany still happen. Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%.

During Brittany’s second pregnancy with her daughter, she had to receive iron infusions at the hospital. Her IV stand was next to cancer patients who frequently needed blood or platelet transfusions. That gave her even more incentive to become a blood donor.

Brittany makes sure her iron intake is good to keep her hemoglobin at the required level to donate. “I was able to give, so I was really excited.” She says donating blood makes her feel really good and she plans to keep doing it.

After the ordeal she suffered giving birth the first time, Brittany still considers herself fortunate. “I was at a good hospital. I had a good team. You know, I was lucky I could get the transfusions.”

She has advice for people who might be hesitant to donate blood, “Don’t think about blood leaving your body. Think about the people you’re helping.”

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).