Pregnancy and childbirth are usually safe, but they can sometimes be complicated by serious bleeding or anemia. In these situations, transfusions can be life‑saving for both mother and baby.

Why pregnant women may need transfusions

Common reasons include:

·       Severe anemia during pregnancy – often due to iron deficiency, but sometimes due to other conditions.

·       Heavy bleeding at delivery (postpartum hemorrhage) – one of the leading causes of maternal death in many countries.

·       Placental problems (e.g., placenta previa, placental abruption) causing major blood loss.

·       Surgical complications, especially during C‑sections or emergency operations.

When hemoglobin is very low or bleeding is heavy:

·       Oxygen supply to the mother and fetus is compromised.

·       The mother can go into shock, organ failure, or cardiac arrest if not treated quickly.

·       Transfusions of red cells, plasma and platelets are often necessary.

Special considerations in pregnancy

Pregnant women have additional factors to consider:

·       Blood group and Rh factor are important for managing risks like Rh incompatibility.

·       Doctors may monitor for antibodies that could affect the baby’s red cells.

·       In some conditions (e.g., severe fetal anemia), special intrauterine transfusions to the baby may be performed in specialized centres.

Good antenatal care includes:

·       Early detection and treatment of anemia with iron and vitamins.

·       Identifying women at high risk of bleeding (previous PPH, multiple pregnancies, placenta previa).

·       Planning delivery in facilities that have access to blood banks and emergency obstetric care.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and emergency transfusion

In PPH:

·       A woman may lose a large volume of blood within a short time after delivery.

·       Immediate steps include medications to contract the uterus, surgical measures, and rapid transfusion of red cells, plasma and platelets.

Time is critical; having blood readily available at or near maternity facilities greatly reduces deaths. Voluntary donors and reliable blood services are thus an essential part of safe motherhood.