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Obstetric care of women of the Jehovah's Witness faith is often viewed with some trepidation, given the underlying assumption that blood transfusion is not acceptable. However, approval of each particular blood product may vary greatly by individual and her faith community. Investigators at an institution with a formal bloodless medicine program (in which alternatives to transfusion are offered; see http://www.upmc.com/Services/patient-blood-management-bloodless-medicine/Pages/about.aspx) reviewed consultation notes from the universally used program to determine the preferences of pregnant Jehovah's Witnesses.
Of 87 women, all stated they would decline all conventional blood products. Most (90%) of these women, however, would accept at least…