Another way to share the love this Valentine’s Day
Mum of two Jenifer Gray thanks blood donors who saved her life after having a major haemorrhage on Valentine’s Day.
Jenifer, now 35, tells us her story:
'My son Cullen was born in Wishaw Hospital on 14th February 2014. It was a straightforward birth but about half an hour after he was delivered I began to feel very unwell. I had a severe postpartum haemorrhage, which meant I lost a large amount of blood very quickly and needed immediate surgery. I thought my time was up.'
Postpartum haemorrhages are a rare complication where the mother bleeds excessively after birth, and can occur any time after the baby is born, right up until six weeks after the delivery. Some people can recover without the need for a transfusion, but if the blood loss is significant and there is a threat to the mother’s life then surgery and transfusions may be needed. Around 2% of the blood transfused in Scotland is used to treat mothers, babies and young children.
I thought my time was up. Jenifer Gray
Jenifer continued,
'After surgery I was unable to move and couldn’t even lift my head. It was so tough to not have enough energy to feed or even hold my new baby. I was in hospital for four days, and during that time I needed four blood transfusions, which made me feel so much better - particularly the last transfusion, which made me feel well enough to hold and look after Cullen.
'It took a few months to feel properly back on my feet, but I’m so grateful to whoever it was that donated that blood and gave me a second chance.
'Cullen will be eight this Valentine’s Day and we will be celebrating his birthday with all his family and friends. He loves football, piano, Brazilian Juijitsu and his Xbox, and is also a brilliant big brother to my five-year-old daughter Daire.
'A massive thanks to everyone who takes the time to give blood and save a stranger like me. I guess you never really know when you might need it, and I'm so thankful that blood was available when I needed help.'
- You can book your appointment and save a life like Jenifer's by creating your online donor account at scotblood.co.uk, contacting us online, or by phoning 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).