OB Hemorrhage: Jehovah's Witness and Others

 

Obstetric Care for Women who Decline Blood Transfusions

Elliott Main, MD

Chair, Department of OB/GYN, California Pacific Medical Center

 

Summary

Given the known rate of obstetric hemorrhage, it is very unsettling to many obstetricians and anesthesiologists to have a patient decline a potentially life-saving treatment. The goals are 1) to find common ground to manage the birth as safely as possible, 2) to build trust or if not possible, transfer to a program that is comfortable with the plans, and 3) to develop a well thought out delivery plan to minimize blood loss and maximize decisive decisions. For additional tools including a sample informed consent, management checklist and iron sucrose protocol, click here.

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