Blood supply crucial for mothers in labour
Over quarter of maternal deaths linked to severe bleeding.
BRINGING new life into the world often results in the death of many mothers in theatre.
More than 25% of all deaths during child labour occur as a result of severe bleeding according to statistics from the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).
Among the causes responsible for 75% of deaths highlighted by the World Health Organization, haemorrhage at birth is ranked second.
Pre-existing medical conditions aggravated by pregnancy, such as diabetes, malaria, HIV and obesity, are first on the list.
SANBS collects about 3 000 units of blood daily and in 2010 the organisation reported that obstetrics and gynaecology cases used 26% of its total blood supply for that year.
‘Most maternal mortality is preventable and blood transfusions could mean the difference between life and death for many bleeding mothers,’ said SANBS Communications Manager Vanessa Raju.
‘We are therefore committed to continue with raising awareness about the need for blood to ensure fewer South African mothers bleed to death.
‘Women’s Month is a great opportunity for us to remind donors that when they sacrifice their time to donate blood they save mothers who could die within hours without adequate blood supply to replenish blood lost at childbirth,’ Raju said.
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