Autologous blood use in obstetrics

The use of autologous blood is of growing concern in the practice of obstetrics. Although prior donation of one's blood for later surgical use and the emergency use of reinfused blood have become established practices, obstetrical use remains controversial because only small groups of women have been studied. This paper gives a brief overview of current issues and use of autologous blood donation in pregnancy and in intraoperative obstetrical procedures.