Red cell salvage was introduced at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in the early 2000s, and by 2006 the UK Obstetric Anaesthetists Association had established that cell salvage was used in 38% of maternity units. Read more about Red cell salvage was introduced at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in the early 2000s, and by 2006 the UK Obstetric Anaesthetists Association had established that cell salvage was used in 38% of maternity units.
Although Professor Steer explored the possibility of autologous blood transfusions for women having elective caesarean sections in the 1980s and early 1990s, but found that there were no obvious or appropriate alternatives to blood transfusion in maternity care. Read more about Although Professor Steer explored the possibility of autologous blood transfusions for women having elective caesarean sections in the 1980s and early 1990s, but found that there were no obvious or appropriate alternatives to blood transfusion in maternity care.
Professor Steer was conservative in giving blood transfusions to pregnant or postpartum women, preferring to use blood transfusions to remedy acute blood loss rather than anaemia like some of his clinical colleagues. Read more about Professor Steer was conservative in giving blood transfusions to pregnant or postpartum women, preferring to use blood transfusions to remedy acute blood loss rather than anaemia like some of his clinical colleagues.
Transfusions were commonly given to women after labour to help them recover quickly so that they could care for their baby, and also because they were thought to be anaemic after birth. Read more about Transfusions were commonly given to women after labour to help them recover quickly so that they could care for their baby, and also because they were thought to be anaemic after birth.
The threshold for transfusion due to a postpartum haemorrhage was previously 500ml of blood loss but is now usually 1,000ml. Read more about The threshold for transfusion due to a postpartum haemorrhage was previously 500ml of blood loss but is now usually 1,000ml.
Acute blood loss during pregnancy generally arose from delivery or was due to a haemorrhage before, during or after delivery (with postpartum haemorrhages occurring when the placental bed bleeds extensively if the placenta does not detach correctly during childbirth). Read more about Acute blood loss during pregnancy generally arose from delivery or was due to a haemorrhage before, during or after delivery (with postpartum haemorrhages occurring when the placental bed bleeds extensively if the placenta does not detach correctly during childbirth).
A conservative approach to the administration of blood for some clinician arose from an academic interest in best transfusion practice and concerns over patient safety. Read more about A conservative approach to the administration of blood for some clinician arose from an academic interest in best transfusion practice and concerns over patient safety.
Doctors became more aware of viral infections after a junior doctor at King's College Hospital developed acute Hepatitis B and died from liver failure from sustaining a needlestick injury. Read more about Doctors became more aware of viral infections after a junior doctor at King's College Hospital developed acute Hepatitis B and died from liver failure from sustaining a needlestick injury.
The safety of transfusions was actively considered prior to the emergence of HIV, and centred on issues of blood-type incompatibility and other complications rather than the risk of viral infection, which was perceived to be a smaller risk. Read more about The safety of transfusions was actively considered prior to the emergence of HIV, and centred on issues of blood-type incompatibility and other complications rather than the risk of viral infection, which was perceived to be a smaller risk.
Iron was an alternative for the treatment of anaemia following childbirth, however it was slower than blood to have a beneficial impact and some patients poorly tolerated it. Ferric carboxymaltose infusions ("Ferinject") have been increasingly used recently and offered as an alternative to transfusion. Read more about Iron was an alternative for the treatment of anaemia following childbirth, however it was slower than blood to have a beneficial impact and some patients poorly tolerated it. Ferric carboxymaltose infusions ("Ferinject") have been increasingly used recently and offered as an alternative to transfusion.