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Against having blood transfusion

redfox18redfox18 member
in May 2016 Moms
With my last pregnancy I had a C/s and some how my Dr was surprised to find out only an hour before the procedure that I would refuse a blood transfusion. I don't know how this important information was missed but he was very angry with me and went so far as to tell me he didn't care what my views were, if I needed blood then I was getting it. I think he it was also because of this anger towards me that he began the surgery before my husband was even in the room with me. The procedure went fine and my recovery was normal. But needless to say I will never go to that practice again. So I started searching for a new Dr. I made sure to explain to the person who took my intake info that I was against blood and was accepted by the new Dr. My first apt was with the nurse at 8 weeks and I saw the Dr at 12. During my 12 week apt the person going over my info ran down all the usual background questions and I explained again the no blood issue. She left for me to get undressed but quickly returned and told me not to. Then the Dr came in and told me I had to leave and find someone else because she would not see me and wouldn't even finish the apt or the scheduled blood work. So I'm back at the beginning and really frustrated. I cant believe i was kicked out. Has anyone else gone through a planned bloodless surgery? I'm in upstate NY, does anyone know of Dr that is OK with this choice?
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Re: Against having blood transfusion

  • TXmamatobeTXmamatobe member
    What's your reason for refusing if it's a potentially life saving procedure? I can't imagine any doctor would agree to that but maybe I'm missing something.
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  • lalala2004lalala2004 member
    You double posted this.
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  • saladflambesaladflambe member
    TXmamatobe said:

    What's your reason for refusing if it's a potentially life saving procedure? I can't imagine any doctor would agree to that but maybe I'm missing something.

    It goes against some religions.
    OP, assuming you were doing this for religious reasons, is there someone within your organization you could ask for recommendation to a doctor?
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  • redfox18redfox18 member
    There are other options. Such as blood substitutes, medications to cause less bleeding or just being more careful. I'm not with a religion right now. But did grow up being taught those beliefs and still hold on to them. I don't feel like sharing my pregnancy news with anyone I know. But yes maybe there is another way to contact someone else who will know Dr's here.
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  • lionstigersbearslionstigersbears member
    redfox18 said:

    There are other options. Such as blood substitutes, medications to cause less bleeding or just being more careful. I'm not with a religion right now. But did grow up being taught those beliefs and still hold on to them. I don't feel like sharing my pregnancy news with anyone I know. But yes maybe there is another way to contact someone else who will know Dr's here.

    I respect your views and am asking out of honest desire to learn...if it came down to it, would you choose no transfusion knowing it would leave your child without a mother? I've heard of people refusing for their kids and DCFS getting involved and approving it for life saving measures...and parents who are okay with it then since it's not "their" decision. Basically waiting for the legal process to save their child so the don't have to break their religious views. The thing is, there's not really a comparable process for adults and when it comes down to it doctors are the ones who are trained to know if we need blood or not, substitutes aren't always an option. I'm really not trying to be combative, but the logic falls apart for me when I think of life or death. What are your views on that?
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  • nbgmomnbgmom member
    edited November 2015
    I am not of a religion that condemns blood products, however as an L&D nurse and a previous ER nurse, I have encountered this several times. I do not know OP's specific beliefs, but certain religions believe that your soul is damned if you receive parts (organs, blood, etc) from another body. You can reason with them, but when it boils down to it, to them, loss of life pales in comparison to an eternity of damnation. And we have to respect their wishes.
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  • lionstigersbearslionstigersbears member
    nbgmom said:

    I am not of a religion that condemns blood products, however as an L&D nurse and a previous ER nurse, I have encountered this several times. I do not know OP's specific beliefs, but certain religions believe that your soul is damned if you receive parts (organs, blood, etc) from another body. You can reason with them, but when it boils down to it, to them, loss of life pales in comparison to an eternity of damnation. And we have to respect their wishes.

    Thank you for sharing, I can understand that from a place of religious conviction.
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  • redfox18redfox18 member
    edited November 2015
    I'm not speaking for any religion here. I can only say my personal feelings are that when my time comes, it comes and no amount of blood or personal choice will change that.
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  • gooberdoofus95gooberdoofus95 member
    If it's really that important to you that you don't recieve someone else's blood you can have your blood taking and stored so if you need a transfusion they would use your blood. I'm sure this would cost money for it to be stored at a blood bank and if you cannot afford it then I don't think there is anything you can do other than sign a paper refusing any blood and die if you needed it.
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  • lionstigersbearslionstigersbears member
    redfox18 said:

    I'm not speaking for any religion here. I can only say my personal feelings are that when my time comes, it comes and no amount of blood or personal choice will change that.

    Understood. Sounds like you need to contact your doctor and request to meet with legal at the hospital to sign the appropriate forms. I'd hope that you'll find a provider who will proceed with your care with these precautions, but you may end up needing to go to a clinic for prenatal care and present to an ER to deliver and state your wishes there....
    Me 27 | DH 28
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  • jenl1681jenl1681 member
    Where in upstate NY are you? I'm not sure the option has ever come up in any of my appointments with MW or Dr.
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  • Dasha420Dasha420 member
    @gooberdoofus95
    I think that's a wonderful idea. I believe the refrigeration life of bagged blood is about three months (I could be wrong).
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  • BlueJuiceBlueJuice member
    I will say that my midwife actually asked me whether I would accept blood transfusions at my initial visit, so I assume some of her clients must state that they refuse them. I think it will probably be possible to locate care providers who are willing to work within your restrictions, but probably it will take some legwork on your part.
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  • lalala2004lalala2004 member
    redfox18 said:

    I'm not speaking for any religion here. I can only say my personal feelings are that when my time comes, it comes and no amount of blood or personal choice will change that.

    Out of curiosity, how far do you take that philosophy? Do you use any medicine? Wear a seatbelt?
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  • JessicaB0627JessicaB0627 member
    lalala2004 said:

    redfox18 said:

    I'm not speaking for any religion here. I can only say my personal feelings are that when my time comes, it comes and no amount of blood or personal choice will change that.

    Out of curiosity, how far do you take that philosophy? Do you use any medicine? Wear a seatbelt?
    I was going to ask if she takes antibiotics, would use an inhaler if she was asthmatic, or take insulin if she was ever diabetic. Those are all medical interventions that save lives.
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  • BuzzBee614BuzzBee614 member
    I respect your choice and understand that this is a conviction you hold. I respect that you believe in something so strongly you are willing to stand up and assert your beliefs.

    In regards to your second doctor, however, I believe a doctor should have the right to turn away a patient that they feel uncomfortable treating due to refusal of standard medical practice. I do not think a doctor should be forced to watch a patient suffer knowing they have the medical ability to help them and then have to live with that experience if it goes against their beliefs.

    I also think that there are many doctors who are willing to work within religious restrictions, but you will have to shop around. In researching your question, I found many cases of doctors innovating ways to help patients that refuse blood. You deserve a doctor that respects your beliefs and will work with them. I don't think you should fault doctors who decline to treat you, though, as it is a choice for them as well.

    I am also in upstate New York but this question has never come up at any practices I have been to so I think you'll have to call and ask the practices in your area. I wish you the best of luck in finding a provider.
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  • anesmdanesmd member
    I likely have more experience in this area than many of the other posters given the specific area of health care in which I work. The alternatives to blood transfusion are typically prophylactic/preventative and can do a lot to avoid transfusion, but in the end I've personally seen it come down to death or transfusion, and patients do choose death. It's very difficult emotionally and morally to see patients make that choice, but if they're an adult of sound mind and have signed a blood product refusal, most physicians will not transfuse (unlike the poster who suggested above that they would) - I have personally cared for patients who died primarily because of declining transfusion. 

    It's unfortunate you've had poor experiences with a couple physicians already, especially as the typical vaginal or C/S delivery should not be associated with significant enough blood loss to require transfusion if your hemoglobin is normal. 

    I can't offer any advice on how to find a physician who will accept you as a patient, especially as I'm unfamiliar with the US system. That said, I would suggest finding out what your current hemoglobin is and having it followed during pregnancy, starting on iron supplements, seeing if there is a peri-operative blood management program in your area that you can be referred to (or something similar - any surgeon/OB who accepts you should know about these programs). I know you said that you're not currently JW, but it may be worth stating that that's where your beliefs stem from, as it may give the physician some context for your beliefs. I don't know how easy this would be if you're not currently a member of the church, but a local Kingdom Hall may have resources (I know they often provide people to counsel patients on options when needed). 
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  • karadelliskaradellis member
    Red blood cells usually have s shelf life of 42 days. I'm not sure an MD would approve an autologous donation at 8 months pregnant, I doubt it.
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  • redfox18redfox18 member
    lalala2004 said:

    redfox18 said:

    I'm not speaking for any religion here. I can only say my personal feelings are that when my time comes, it comes and no amount of blood or personal choice will change that.

    Out of curiosity, how far do you take that philosophy? Do you use any medicine? Wear a seatbelt?
    Really? Choosing not to have a blood transfusion and wearing a seatbelt are nothing alike. I have only one thing I'm opposed to, that doesn't mean I'm careless. I am healthy though and have never needed anything stronger than an antibiotic for anything other than a UTI. So no I guess I don't take medication. Never broke a bone, never had to have a tooth pulled and gave birth to my twins without meds. I don't even have Tylenol or tums in my house. I'm not against any of that stuff, I just find no need for it.
    Thank you to everyone with helpful advice. I did find a Dr just by calling around and getting that question out of the way first. They have no problem with my choice. And there is a hospital in NJ that specializes in bloodlines surgery if I ever come across major issues. Blood is not needed as much as it is used. Smarter surgery can save money and resources for those who actually do need it. Surgeons can successfully do bloodless open heart surgery and even bone marrow transplant. I had never needed serious care before so I had no idea about the opposition I would find. Through this I have learned a lot about the real options out there and I am only more confident that my choice is quite safe for a person as healthy as I am.
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