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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Severe hemorrhage

35 replies

Emimummy · 07/08/2021 12:43

Hi
I had a severe hemorrhage right after giving birth to my daughter and lost 2.5 litres of blood. At the time a nurse said I may of required a blood transfusion. They did a test and told me I didn't need a transfusion because I was '5 off' - not sure what that 5 off is for?
Instead I just had iron tablets and then every few months my GP tested my levels, it has taken nearly a year for them to go back to normal though. Has anyone else experienced such a big blood loss and no transfusion?

OP posts:
ActonSquirrel · 07/08/2021 12:45

Not happened to me but could you ask for an iron infusion.

I wouldn't want a blood transfusion tbh. They're generally a low risk thing but you can have reactions, they are pro thrombotic, etc etc

Shouldbedoing · 07/08/2021 12:46

I don't remember the numbers discussed when I lost blood having my DC, but I was given the choice of a blood transfusion or taking iron and waiting. I chose to avoid having blood and ate red meat and leafy greens at every opportunity. I was pretty rough initially, very anaemic and dizzy, but that was my preference.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 07/08/2021 12:52

It was probably your ferritin level (iron stores) that were tested. Below about 5 or 6 I think is when they start talking about transfusions.

Dropdeadfred2 · 07/08/2021 13:07

I had a haemorrhage and was told i couldn't go home without having a transfusion

GiantToadstool · 07/08/2021 13:10

I had a secer haemorrhage but I had transfusions (pumping blood in as it came put I think...)

How are you feeling? Are you okay?

GiantToadstool · 07/08/2021 13:11

Sorry just read you're a year past it! I still had flashbacks to the birth on my daughter's birthday for a while...

JurassicShay · 07/08/2021 13:31

I lost 2.7litres I think, I was taken to surgery for placenta removal and I was told I'd already had a blood transfusion when I woke up. I was also on iron for a bout a year after.

theedgeofglory · 07/08/2021 14:54

It might have been your haemoglobin levels. I work in theatres (not obstetrics) and if we are doing a case with a lot of blood loss or sometimes in recovery if the patient has lost a fair amount of blood we will test their Hb & if it's under a certain number then we may transfuse (sometimes depending on other factors).

Correlation · 07/08/2021 14:57

I lost 2.6L and had a blood transfusion. They said if I refused it I could take iron tablets but it would take a long time to get my levels up. I was so exhausted even after having the transfusion, I don’t know how you managed without. I hope you are feeling better now?

ajja2021 · 07/08/2021 14:58

I was told I didn't need a transfusion, just iron tablets at home. I felt like death tbh and I think I should've been treated for low iron

Xueman · 07/08/2021 15:15

I lost slightly over 3 litres but was offered either blood transfusion or iron tablets. Initially, I was scared of the idea of having an unknown person's blood,but when I was told that it would take more than a month to feel a bit normal again just taking iron tablets, I accepted the blood transfusion. Blood transfusion is a rather risky procedure, perhaps if it isn't absolutely necessary, they don't want to do it. 2.5 litres does sound like a lot of blood though.

INeedtobealone · 07/08/2021 15:23

I had a 2.6 litre haemorrhage after giving birth and no transfusion. I just missed the cut off for one.

I had iron tablets, a follow up blood test and more iron tablets. I looked and felt awful for weeks.

Theworldisfullofgs · 07/08/2021 15:27

Yes, same here.
Blood transfusions are much higher risk than most people realise (my friend is a transfusion specialist) much better to avoid if possible.

badatcrochet1996 · 07/08/2021 15:30

Blood transfusions aren't risk free and there has to be a cut off point somewhere.

Sorry you had a rotten time

Nat6999 · 07/08/2021 15:34

I had a 2.5 litre haemorrhage & didn't get a choice, they gave me a transfusion when I was too drugged up to refuse & I went home on iron tablets.

ActonSquirrel · 07/08/2021 16:34

@Nat6999

I had a 2.5 litre haemorrhage & didn't get a choice, they gave me a transfusion when I was too drugged up to refuse & I went home on iron tablets.
See I would have been incensed with that. The opportunity to refuse as is my right.

Ferinject is better bet.

GiantToadstool · 07/08/2021 17:41

I didn't get a choice.... but it was a proper emergency and I'd have died without it! I woke up in intensive care and it took a while before I realised what had happened.

Blueskyemily · 07/08/2021 17:49

I "only" lost 2 litres of blood and had two transfusions before I went home from hospital. I kept fainting when I stood up after the first one. I still had iron tablets when I went home too, I think it took about 6 months for my levels to go back to normal.

Ozanj · 07/08/2021 17:56

@Emimummy

Hi I had a severe hemorrhage right after giving birth to my daughter and lost 2.5 litres of blood. At the time a nurse said I may of required a blood transfusion. They did a test and told me I didn't need a transfusion because I was '5 off' - not sure what that 5 off is for? Instead I just had iron tablets and then every few months my GP tested my levels, it has taken nearly a year for them to go back to normal though. Has anyone else experienced such a big blood loss and no transfusion?
Yes. I lost 1l but is the equivalent of more as I have a blood disorder that makes my red blood cells small. I was given several iron transfusions instead as I didn’t want a blood transfusion. The mw I spoke to at the time said that if they need you to have a blood transfusion they would give it to you - if they give you a choice then it’s not urgent.
GiantToadstool · 07/08/2021 17:59

I dont remember seeing blood so I think that happened when I wasnt conscious. I still had drips when I woke up but I vaguely think that was other stuff (magnesium something? Antibiotics?) I had lots of wires and drips and can't remember what it all was.

Laney79 · 07/08/2021 18:05

I lost 1.8l in theatre (planned c section) and they said I was borderline for a transfusion-I think my level was 81 (of whatever it was they measured?) so they gave me iron tablets too. Took them for about a month or so, gp at my post natal check said not to bother with them so I then switched to floradix.

Blue4YOU · 07/08/2021 18:33

I had no choice - I lost over 4 litres of blood (massive abruption).
I couldn’t breathe properly or walk for about 6 weeks

WendyJames35 · 07/08/2021 18:42

It depends on different factors, what your starting Hb was before you had your baby, whether or not you're symptomatic of loosing that volume of blood & so on.

Do ask your midwife if you're not sure what is going on.

Congratulations on your new baby!

WendyJames35 · 07/08/2021 18:44

Sorry, just realised you had the baby a year ago!

Elpheba · 07/08/2021 18:51

I had a 3 litre pph with Dc1- no transfusion but iron after. Was then still anaemic when pregnant with DC2 so took iron during pregnancy, had another (1.3 litre) pph then and had some iron after. 3 years on and I’m still anaemic and I don’t think the iron agrees with me as it doesn’t seem to work so I’m tempted to ask for an infusion.

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