The value of routine haemoglobin concentration measurement before caesarean section

Women undergoing caesarean section routinely have a haemoglobin concentration check before delivery. We compared the haemoglobin concentration of 311 women taken at their 32-?34 week antenatal visit with their preoperative level. A significant rise from 11.04 g/dL to 11.51 g/dL was seen (mean (95% CI) 0.47 (0.37-0.57 g/dL)). This increase was most marked in the 201 women having emergency procedures, and there was a significant negative correlation between the 32 and 34 weeks level and the net change in haemoglobin concentration (r=-0.366 (P<0.001)). From our results we suggest that in women with an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, and a satisfactory haemoglobin concentration at 32-34 weeks, a repeat estimation of the blood count is unnecessary before operative delivery.