Mom saved by blood donation
The Durban North mother needed the seven units of blood after suffering complications during birth.
FOR decades, Durban North resident, Arlaine Oxenham (47), has been a loyal blood donor. As a nurse working in casualty at the age of 18, Oxenham soon realised that a single donation can save lives, but never did she think that she would find herself on the receiving end.
In 2003, she suffered complications after the birth of her daughter, Hannah. In an effort to highlight National Blood Donor Month, Oxenham shared her traumatic experience with the Northglen News.
After giving birth to her baby, Oxenham began haemorrhaging. Doctors quickly determined that the placenta had attached itself too deep in Oxenham’s uterine wall, causing profuse bleeding.
“Normally the placenta easily detaches from the uterine wall after birth, but in my case the doctors had to try and manually remove it and hope that the bleeding would stop,” she said.
When the new mom’s condition did not improve within a few hours, doctors made the decision to do an emergency hysterectomy – a last effort to save their patient’s life. It was a success.
Oxenham had received seven units of blood that night, which amounts to half of the blood in her body. Eight hours after giving birth to Hannah, Oxenham was able to see and hold her baby for the first time.
“You don’t ever think that it will happen to you, but when it does it really puts the importance of the donations into perspective. I have realised that if they did not have the blood available that night I would have died,” she said.
According to Sr Joy Pires of the Durban North Blood Donor Clinic, women suffering complications during childbirth are most in need of blood transfusions.
Each donated unit can save three people’s lives, said Pires. Oxenham has made 68 donations, and as such has saved the lives of 204 people.
“It is a wonderful thing to be able to do and only takes 30 minutes of your time,” added Oxenham. The South African Blood Service is running low on blood stocks and has urged the community to step up and make a donation. Contact the Durban North Clinic on 031 564 6070.
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