[Autologous and heterologous blood transfusion in obstetrics]

We retrospectively analyzed the frequency and details of blood transfusions in a group of 12,578 obstetrical patients. We found 250 patients who received red blood cell transfusions resulting in a transfusion rate of 2 in 100. In most of these cases, there were no risk factors placing patients at high risk for blood transfusions. The administration of one or two units of blood was adequate in 76% and of up to three units adequate in 87% of cases. Our results do not support a commercial blood bank's recent claim of frequent transfusions in obstetrical patients. We feel that the routine storage of blood for autologous transfusions is not warranted in obstetrical patients.