The Blood Matters Blog ·

Blood Transfusions During Childbirth Are on the Rise in America. Why?

For a variety of reasons, women in the United States are receiving blood transfusions during childbirth more than ever before.

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Mother and baby after childbirth

In May of 2021, Sunni Riley was excited to grow her family and was preparing to give birth to her twin daughters, Reese and Wren. Wren was born first with no issue, but Reese had flipped, causing Riley’s team of doctors to switch gears and perform a C-section.

While Reese was born healthily, Riley experienced a severe hemorrhage and needed emergency blood transfusions to survive. Over the next two days, she needed about 17 pints of blood — far more than the average 10.5 pints typically circulating in the human body.

"They could not stop my bleeding," Riley said. "I lost a lot of blood and woke up on a ventilator in ICU."

MORE: Sunni Riley's Story of Survival

Stories like Riley's are all too common. Unfortunately they're becoming even more familiar in America, as the United States has seen a significant rise in the number of blood transfusions during childbirth for decades. From 2006-2015, the rate of blood transfusions during childbirth went up 54% to a rate of one out of every 83 deliveries, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Maternal health and childbirth blood transfusion illustration

Why Are Blood Transfusions During Childbirth Becoming More Common in the U.S.?

Postpartum hemorrhage, or PPH, is the loss of more than 500 mLs and is the leading cause of severe maternal morbidity. Defined by the CDC as the inclusion of "unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that can result in significant short- or long-term health consequences," severe maternal morbidity — and blood transfusions along with it — is on the rise. But why?

Rising Maternal Age

Over the past 50 years, the number of women having babies after 35 — an age considered “high risk”— has jumped by 900%. Women over 35 are more likely to have health issues like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. These conditions can lead to severe hemorrhaging during delivery, making blood transfusions a crucial part of maternal care.

Increase in Cesarean Sections (C-sections)

While the average amount of blood loss after the birth of a single baby in vaginal delivery is about 500 mLs, the average amount of blood loss for a cesarean birth is approximately 1,000 mLs. Additionally, the rate of C-sections has been steadily increasing in the United States, which means more mothers may require blood transfusions to recover safely.

Rising Incidence of Placenta Accreta

Placenta accreta, a serious pregnancy condition in which the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, is becoming more common, especially in women with a history of C-sections. This condition often leads to significant blood loss during delivery, making transfusions essential to saving lives.

A Higher Prevalance of Obesity

With obesity rates climbing, more pregnant women are at risk for complications that can lead to excessive bleeding during childbirth. Obesity increases the likelihood of conditions like gestational diabetes and hypertension, both of which can contribute to severe hemorrhaging.

Increased Multiple Pregnancies

Advances in fertility treatments have led to a rise in multiple pregnancies, which are associated with higher risks of complications during delivery. These complications can often result in the need for blood transfusions.

Improved Medical Practices

Advances in medical care have led to more proactive management of maternal hemorrhage. Health care providers are more vigilant and may be quicker to administer blood transfusions to prevent severe outcomes, which can also contribute to the rise in transfusion rates.

What About Blood Transfusions During Childbirth in the Rest of the World?

  • High-Income Countries

    The trend of increased blood transfusions during childbirth is observed in other high-income countries as well. However, the U.S. has a higher rate of maternal complications, including hemorrhage, compared to countries like the U.K. and Australia, leading to more frequent use of blood transfusions.

  • Low- and Middle-Income Countries

    In contrast, many low- and middle-income countries have lower rates of blood transfusions during childbirth. This is often due to limited access to healthcare facilities, blood products, and the necessary medical interventions. In these regions, maternal mortality rates are higher, partly due to the lack of timely access to life-saving procedures like blood transfusions.

How to Help? Donate Blood!

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As the need for blood transfusions during childbirth continues to grow, so does the demand for blood donation. Not sure if you can give? We have a helpful eligibility FAQ page to answer any questions you may have. If you ARE eligible to give, then please consider making it a regular part of your routine!

Every donation has the potential to save up to three lives, so what are you waiting for? Book your next appointment today!

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Other Ways to Support Maternal Health

  • Host a blood drive: Blood drives held at schools, businesses, churches and other local organizations are critical to ensuring blood is available when it is needed most, whether that's for a mother or baby during childbirth or anyone else in our communities.
  • Encourage others to donate: Whether through social media, community groups, or just word of mouth, you can help inspire others to give. Don't follow us on social media? Scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on the social platform of your choice to help broadcast the importance of blood donation!
  • Help mothers across the world by contributing to Global Blood Fund: While the rate of blood transfusions during childbirth is climbing in the United States, pregnancy and childbirth is still far more precarious internationally. Almost 95% of all maternal deaths in 2020 occurred in low and lower middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. These are the exact countries Global Blood Fund has been focused on providing safe, accessible blood for nearly 20 years.