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For patients undergoing cesarean delivery, the risk of the operation usually increases with each successive cesarean delivery.  At Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates we care for many women with several prior cesarean deliveries and therefore perform many “high-order” cesarean deliveries (3rd or higher cesarean delivery).

In this study published in Transfusion Practice, we report the outcomes of 514 of our patients who underwent a high-order cesarean delivery in order to determine the likelihood of, and risk factors for, blood transfusion.   We found that placenta previa was the main risk factor for blood transfusion.  Placenta previa is when the placenta covers the cervix (this is diagnosed by ultrasound during pregnancy).  Women with a placenta previa had a 69% likelihood of requiring a blood transfusion, as compared to a 1.4% likelihood in women without a placenta previa. Other smaller risk factors were laboring prior to the cesarean and being on anticoagulation (blood thinners).  Women with none of these three risk factors had less than 1% chance of requiring a blood transfusion.

For women undergoing a high-order cesarean delivery, in the absence of placenta previa, they should be reassured that the likelihood of requiring a blood transfusion is extremely low.

Read the full article here: Risk Factors for Blood Transfusion in patients undergoing high-order Cesarean delivery

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Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!