blood transfusion

[llightfoot]

hello due to being very anemic and it only being found out last minute they wont me to have a blood transfusiom i am being induced on tues with my twins thhey wont to give me a least 2 Pints of blood on sat how safe is this and dose it nake u sick any help much apreciated x

Having a blood transfusion is normally only offered when you're glad levels are extremely low, and I should imagine that they are playing it safe and accounting for the large blood loss that you will have naturally when you give birth.

When a blood transfusion is giving you are monitored very closely. Within the first 15 minutes they look for a reaction by checking on symptoms such as a sudden high temperature or blood pressure and pulse changes.

Blood is carefully screened (not everyone can give blood for this reason), and everything is done to test its safety that is humanly possible. There are always some people who worry about getting unseen diseases such as mad cow disease or something like that, but there are hundreds of thousands of millions of patients who have received blood transfusion safely for years and the scare about it is it is more of a historical problem (before the screening was as stringent).

As with all medical interventions, there is an element of risk, but I am sure that it would not be offered you if the risk to not receive a transfusion would be greater. Not just that, that blood is very expensive for the NHS and it is treated like gold dust!

I had a transfusion after DS was born because I was so anaemic. nfortunately it took htem 3 days to realise the problem by which time I wasfeeling terrible and kept passing out every time I stood up. As a first timer I thought it was normal so didn't complain Anyway, I began o feel better almost instantly, and after 2 units was boucing off the ceiling! Certainly didn't make me feel sick. Hope all goes well

thanks i an starting to worry a little less i need to have 2pints of blood but glad to here u felt a lot better after am like a zombie at the min lol

I think that if you are very anaemic it is a good thing, as labour is exhausting especially if being induced, it can go on forever. So you will need the energy. Also I have a feeling I read somewhere that being anaemic can increase the risk of haemorrhage after which would then be even worse. Blood is very carefully screened so I am sure it will be safe. I would certainly go for it, good luck x

Hi there.
I have seen plenty of people having blood transfusions and these days is a very safe procedure.
The thought of having a blood transfusion sounds very scary but it really isn't much to worry about.
They do so many checks that you are getting the right blood as the main concern is a reaction to the blood.
The midwives should ask you but signs of a reaction include getting a temperature, shivering, loin pain and feeling generally unwell.
Out of the hundreds of transfusions I have given I have seen only a handful of reactions and these were mild ones that only needed an antihistamine to counter the reaction. Also the ones I have seen have mostly been cancer patient so they have weird antibodies and more likely to have a reaction than an otherwise healthy person.
There are risks as with every procedure and its the health provider's responsibility to tell you what side effects there may be.
As the atrcts said they will do regular observations and cross check everything.
You will be surprised at how good you will feel after having the transfusion, it will give you a new lease of life!
Good luck with the birth xxx

thanks for the info