Bleeding out in delivery requires emergency transfusions for mom and newborn
Women usually lose about one pint of blood during routine childbirth. However, complications can quickly escalate, threatening the health of both mother and child if blood is not available.
Medical difficulties occur in 8% to 10% of all pregnancies. In the United States, approximately 60,000 women experience severe complications during pregnancy and delivery each year. Transfusions are needed in one out of every 83 deliveries in the United States.
Carol Beggs recalled her own harrowing experience during pregnancy with her fifth child in 1989. Doctors determined Carol had placenta previa, a pregnancy complication in which the placenta attaches low in the uterus, completely or partially blocking the opening of the cervix.
“I was months away from my due date but started hemorrhaging far beyond the slight way I had been,” Carol said. “I was losing too much blood and had an emergency ride to the hospital.”
Emergency surgery and induced labor began as soon as Carol arrived at the hospital.
The medical team discovered that, in addition to placenta previa complications, Carol was also experiencing placenta accreta. This serious condition occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall or extends through the uterine wall to attach to other organs.
To handle these obstacles and save the lives of Carol and her baby, “There were unexpected additional surgeries happening while the placenta was basically ruptured,” she said. “I was bleeding out and needed seven units of blood.”
She recalled, “My newborn, Evan, was still attached to the placenta when they cut through it, causing him to also bleed out. He had to have an immediate blood transfusion to save his life, too.”
Despite the severity of their life-threatening emergencies, mother and son recovered. In the decades since, Carol and Evan have donated blood several times to support other Texans.
“And, we have a big family. We serve in many, many ways to show love, give back and be helpful,” Carol said.
“Giving blood is easy, healthy and oh so valuable,” she said with emphasis. “It saves lives.”
Mothers and their newborns need you. Please donate this week at your local Carter BloodCare mobile blood drive or donor center. When you do, you’ll get a Donor Appreciation Gift.
And there’s another way you can help: If you’ve ever received a transfusion, your patient experience can motivate others to donate and save lives. All you have to do is simply Tell Us Your Story.