Blood transfusion save million lives every blessed year worldwide. It’s actually one of the most effective medical procedures used to restore peoples’ blood loss due to surgeries, injuries and diseases.
However one question that normally comes up – Is blood transfusion safe during pregnancy? A transfusion during pregnancy becomes necessary in response to severe conditions like acute anaemia, haemorrhage, or a complication known as haemolytic disease of the newborn.
While it can be lifesaving for both mother and child, it may carry some possible risks, all of which would be thoroughly discussed here.
Is it safe to get blood transfusion during pregnancy?
It is very safe for pregnant women to undergo blood transfusion. Doctors recommend this in serious situations to safeguard both mom and baby’s health.
A major cause that usually calls for this procedure is hemorrhaging. This is the condition where victims bleed to excess, leading to anemia/blood loss. It can result from circumstances like ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
Additionally, transfusion could be necessary for pregnant women suffering from heavy bleeding as a result of accidents or those who may have very low counts just before their dates. It can help to get rid of these conditions and reduce symptoms like dizziness and weakness.
The World Health Organization advocates that the quality and safety of blood and its components used in transfusions should always be top-notch in order to promote better outcomes for patients worldwide, including pregnant individuals.
However, like any medical procedure, transfusions carry potential risks, and doctors would consider them against the benefits to make the best decision that ensures you and the baby are completely safe.
Why would you need a blood transfusion during pregnancy?
These are some possible reasons why you’d need a blood transfusion in pregnancy;
Anaemia:
If a pregnant woman develops severe anemia (also, low red blood cell count) and treatments like iron supplements don’t work, a transfusion may be necessary to improve oxygen delivery to both the mother and the baby.
Bleeding disorders:
There are some conditions such as uterine atony that cause some pregnant women to overbleed during the delivery process. In cases where blood loss becomes excess, a transfusion may be required to replace and stabilze mother’s condition.
Placental Abruption:
In rare instances, the placenta may separate from the walls of the womb days before delivery. This can cause the woman to bleed and may require a transfusion when it becomes severe.
Ectopic pregnancy:
Doctors would have to perform a surgery in correction of ectopic pregnancies, and nine out of ten times, a transfusion may be required especially if the loss is substantial.
Preparation for Delivery:
Anemia due to iron deficiency is commonplace. However, for anemic women, even mild bleeding during delivery could lead to blood loss, hence the need for transfusion.
Considerations for a Safe Blood Transfusion During Pregnancy
When It comes to transfusions during pregnancy, healthcare experts take more than a single factor into consideration. They ensure this because a baby, whose life is most delicate is also involved. While they play their part to keep y’all safe, it is important to keep up-to-date with these guidelines:
Blood Compatibility:
It’s critical to ensure that the donated blood is compatible with the pregnant individual’s type. A compatibility test or crossmatch is done before every transfusion to prevent severe, adverse reactions.
Gestational Age:
Doctors also consider the length of pregnancy, which is also, the number of weeks or months you’ve carried your baby.
In certain instances, such as during the first trimester, they may recommend other treatment methods rather than a transfusion so as to avoid potential risks associated with this procedure.
Compatibility and Screening:
It’s a must for blood products used for transfusions to be screened for infections and properly cross-matched for compatibility reasons.
Special attention may be needed if the mother has antibodies or sensitivities that could affect compatibility.
Procedure:
Typically, a small tube is inserted into a vein in the hand or arm and the transfusing blood is applied through a drip. The expert doing it usually manages your safety and comfort. In cases where you feel unbearable pain or discomfort, you should let him or her know.
Monitoring:
This is an important step during and after the procedure. Doctors check important signs such as pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation to detect possible reactions and complications quickly.
Transfusion Reactions:
Some pregnant women may have allergies or a possible hemolytic reactions to a transfusion, and healthcare providers should be more than ready to quickly and effectively manage such instances.
Fetal Assessment:
In cases where transfusion is required due to maternal conditions affecting the fetus, doctors would assess baby’s wellbeing through methods ultrasounds and monitoring to ensure it tolerates the procedure.
Risk of Side Effects:
There’s always the potential risk of effects during or after the procedure. While these are generally rare, you should be appropriately informed and monitored for potential symptoms.
What are the side effects of blood transfusion during pregnancy?
Blood transfusions, just like some other regular medical procedures, can have possible risks and downsides. It’s important to know that while these effects are possible, they are uncommon, and doctors take strict measures to minimize them;
Reaction to the Transfusion:
Like any other medical procedure, reactions may occur which can include symptoms like dizziness and feeling unwell. Although not a medical emergency if the bleeding has stopped, doctors will often offer a post-birth transfusion to address these symptoms.
Rh incompatibility
There is also the possibility of Rh incompatibility. If mother is Rh negative and baby is Rh positive, there is a chance of the placenta penetrating and attacking the baby, which can be fatal.
That is why it is important for Rh negative mothers to take an antibody test to detect positive antibodies in the very early stages of the pregnancy.
Transfusion Reactions:
If donor’s blood does not match with receipient’s type, there is a higher likelihood of transfusion reactions. This may contribute to issues like chills, fever, chest pain and breathing troubles.
Transfusion-related acute lung injury:
The short form of this condition is TRALI, And it is rare and severe complication issue with blood transfusion that causes lung injuries and respiratory disorders.
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload:
Also TACO, which is overload of the circulatory system as a result of large volumes of blood transfused in a short time period. It may result in symptoms like cough, breadth shortness and hydrops.
Infections:
Even though blood is screened for infectious diseases, there is still a chance of receiving one that is tainted. However, there are very strict donor screening and testing protocols now, which makes the risks quite low.
Iron overload:
Pregnant patients who have received multiple transfusions during their pregnancy may be at risk of iron overload. This can cause complications with the liver, heart or endocrine disorders.
But don’t fret if this is your issue as doctors would use iron-chelating therapy to manage iron levels.
Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions:
In some cases, a delayed immune response may occur after the transfusion, which can destroy transfused red blood cells.
This typically happens days to weeks after you’re done with the procedure and may unfortunately cause anaemia
Alloimmunization:
In rare cases, mothers’ immune systems can form antibodies against antigens on the transfused red blood cells. This can complicate subsequent pregnancies if antibodies attack the baby’s RBC. (also known as hemolytic disease of newborns).
What happens to your body after a blood transfusion?
- Your blood volume increases: The procedure is designed to increase your blood volume. This helps to replace lost ones due to several reasons like accidents and injuries, surgeries, or other medical procedures.
- Blood levels will be restored: All the specific components that your body needs are restored! These include RBC, plasma, and platelets.
- Symptom Alleviation: After getting this done, you’re almost free from symptoms associated with medical conditions(anemia) like fatigue, breath shortness and dizziness. They start getting better in no time.
- Immune System Response: Your immune system may recognize the transfused blood as foreign initially. However, there is very little risk of severe immune response due to the compatibility tests and matching procedures held beforehand. You may experience fever and chills though.
How long do you stay in hospital after a blood transfusion?
The time length you’re likely to spend at the hospital varies upon factors like your health state and severity of the symptoms. The whole procedure usually takes about an hour to four hours. This does not include before and after monitoring periods.
If the transfusion was conducted as a result of a surgical procedure or a serious illness, then your stay could be extended until condition is steady and could be managed at home.
In as much as this procedure is generally safe, you may still experience mild to fatal complications during or after. These potential complications may include fever and allergies which might extend your stay if they require additional care and monitoring.
In any case, your doctor would discuss with you the actual length of your stay following a blood transfusion as they keep checking on you.
Alternatives to blood transfusions for pregnant women
- Intravenius and oral iron
- Folic acid and Vitamin B12
- Oxygen therapy
- Tranexamic acid and cell salvage
- Supplements and steroids
- Treating the underlying cause
FAQs – Is Blood Transfusion Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is considered a safe procedure during early stages of pregnancy but they are reserved for severe cases like increased blood loss or anaemia.
It is safe during labor and can rescue both mother and baby in cases of excessive blood loss. Healthcare providers will take necessary precautions to reduce the risk and make it safe.
The medical team assesses its blood type and other factors like suitability to ensure a safe procedure. It can treat jaundice, anemia and Rh incompatibility in babies.
No research supports this. But sometimes the underlying condition requiring the transfusion might affect fertility. If you suspect fertility issues as a link to a previous transfusion, you should check in with your doctor to discuss this.
The low blood count is also known as anemia, and it can cause symptoms like dizziness, weakness or fatigue. Severe anemia has been linked with more critical symptoms like low birth weight, preterm birth, or maternal mortality in rare cases.
Yes, a fetus can receive a blood transfusion through a procedure called intrauterine transfusion (IUT). This rare treatment involves supplyingblood to baby while in the womb.
It’s typically performed in cases of severe anemia or Rh incompatibility. The procedure carries risks and is typically reserved for the most critical situations.
Conclusion
Blood transfusions during pregnancy are generally considered safe and are used to manage certain conditions when the benefits surpasses the downsides.
The WHO approves of it during pregnancy, and we second it. In fact, it is safe. Your doctor can recommend to help manage certain conditions when the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. It is a vital tool to correct severe blood loss and anemia during childbirth and can rescue mom and baby.
Additionally, doctors perform this under strict guidance, following safety checks, including screening for infections and verifying the blood type compatibility. They would also monitor the mother closely throughout.
Like most medical operations, transfusion come with minimal risks. The decision to proceed with one is therefore made after thoroughly assessing your condition and considering both the potential benefit to you and the unborn baby as well as perhaps the potential risks.
While it is a great medical intervention, there are alternatives. If previous blood transfusion resulted in mere death or huge side effects, you may want to inform your doctor and stay off and try other options.
References:
- National Institutes Of Health (Blood transfusion during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period)
- National Institutes of Health (A total blood volume or more transfused during pregnancy or after childbirth)
