Midwifery: Blood Transfusion Refusal by Jehovah's Witness Women

This essay delves into the sensitive area of midwifery and the challenges presented by patients' rights regarding medical choices, specifically focusing on Jehovah's Witness women who refuse blood transfusions. It examines the critical role of blood transfusions in saving lives and promoting recovery, particularly in cases of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, which are common complications during pregnancy and delivery. The essay highlights the potential risks associated with refusing blood transfusions, including prolonged labor, the formation of unhealthy fetuses, and increased risks of anemia and infertility. It emphasizes the importance of blood components like white blood cells, platelets, and plasma for healthy pregnancy and delivery, concluding that blood transfusions are essential for the well-being of both the unborn child and the mother. The essay references several studies to support its arguments and provides a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Running Head: MIDWIFERY 1
Midwifery
Student
Institution

MIDWIFERY 2
Midwifery
The healthcare sector is one of the most sensitive areas of concern as far as healthy living
of every individual is concerned. However, there is a collision of approaches of the provision of
Medicare services emanating from the fact that patients are endowed with particular right
regarding the choice of medication. The Medicare providers do not have much power to object
their patients’ preferences hence calling on for harmony creation to find a long lasting solution
whereby none of the parties will be feeling unconsidered. In particular, the midwifery
department proves critical due to the complications underlying the sector. Arguing along that
line, Jehovah witness women do not condone the blood transfusion, an activity that could lead to
serious health problems. Medically, blood transfusion is very important in saving one’s life and
enhancing fast recovery. In this case, assessing the impacts of the refusal of blood transfusion by
pregnant Jehovah witness woman and her unborn baby will be important in gaining the in-depth
understanding of the subject.
Denial of blood transfusion in a situation of antepartum hemorrhage by the pregnant
woman could predict prolonged labor pains during delivery. Actually, during prenatal care, there
is a tendency of a pregnant woman to experience antepartum hemorrhage (Hubbard, Waters &
Yazer, 2015). Labor pains are directly related to the level of hemoglobin the pregnant woman
has during delivery. Actually, with a small degree of hemoglobin, blood-pumping nature of the
heart to evoke expansion and contraction of vaginal canal will be reduced. Antepartum
hemorrhage commonly occurs in the early week of pregnancy. It is worth noting that during such
time, the pregnant woman is in dire need of extra blood through a process called blood
transfusion. Loss of blood may be internal as well as vaginal. Also, the refusal of the pregnant
woman during prenatal care can lead to the formation of the unhealthy fetus. The unborn child

MIDWIFERY 3
might contract sickle cell anemia due to lack of essential blood elements before birth (Hubbard et
al., 2015). Since the fetus receives food and other key elements of growth through blood, failure
to accept blood transfusion will cause abnormal growth of the fetus.
Hendriks, Zwart, Briët, Brand and van Roosmalen (2013) posit that inability to receive
blood on time from the mother can lead to internal disease infections that could damage the
reproductive system to the extent of paving the way for infertility. In fact, hemorrhage may occur
during prenatal care due to sexual intercourse. The different weight of the fetus may also prove
disastrous hence leading to blood loss (Kidson‐Gerber et al., 2016). Hemorrhage implies that
some internal organs of the pregnant woman have been injured. In that case, blood transfusion
more so installation of white blood cells that take care of immunity and infection, as well as
platelets that facilitate coagulation of blood to aid in clotting, is necessary. Injured nature of the
reproductive system of the pregnant woman will undoubtedly lead to infertility hence rendering
her infertile.
Lack of blood transfusion may lead to contracting of anemia by the pregnant woman
during postpartum hemorrhage. The implication is that the woman will continue facing
challenges regarding blood loss even after giving birth. The situation worsens particularly when
cesarean delivery is detected. Undergoing Cesarean implies that a lot of blood will be lost hence
putting the mother at risk of dying due to delivery failure (Kim, Lee & Kim, 2015). The standard
delivery also might call for blood transfusion. Although the child born might be safe after
childbirth, there are cases where placental fragments are left inside the uterus. Removal of
placental fragments paves the way for hemorrhage hence proving blood transfusion necessary to
save the mother from contracting anemia.

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In conclusion, blood transfusion is essential for the well-being of the unborn child and the
mother. White blood cells, platelets, and the plasma are important blood element critical to
healthy pregnancy and delivery. Jehovah witness women should consider blood transfusion to
evade unnecessary maternal complications.

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References
Hendriks, J., Zwart, J. J., Briët, E., Brand, A., & van Roosmalen, J. (2013). The clinical benefit
of blood transfusion: a hypothetical experiment based on a nationwide survey of severe
maternal morbidity. Vox sanguinis, 104(3), 234-239.
Hubbard, R., Waters, J. H., & Yazer, M. H. (2015). Heterogeneity in Blood Product Acceptance
Among Antenatal Patients of the Jehovah's Witness Faith. Obstetrics &
Gynecology, 126(5), 974-977.
Kidson‐Gerber, G., Kerridge, I., Farmer, S., Stewart, C. L., Savoia, H., & Challis, D. (2016).
Caring for pregnant women for whom transfusion is not an option. A national review to
assist in patient care. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, 56(2), 127-136.
Kim, T. H., Lee, H. H., & Kim, J. M. (2015). Recommendations for postpartum hemorrhage in
women who decline blood transfusion. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica
Scandinavica, 94(7), 786-786.