ABSTRACT
Patients, regardless of religious belief may decline the use of blood and blood products for many reasons. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood transfusion is forbidden. This is a deeply held core value and they regard a non-consensual transfusion as a gross physical violation. Witnesses view scripture as ruling out transfusion of whole blood, packed red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Witnesses’ religious understanding does not absolutely prohibit the use of minor blood fractions such as clotting factors. Jehovah’s witnesses are not ‘antimedicine’ and wish to be treated with effective non-blood medical alternatives to allogeneic blood. A doctor is obliged to give the best care to his patient in keeping with the patient’s wishes. He should be aware of the patient’s specific wishes and do his best to comply with these. All members of the gynaecology (and theatre if appropriate) team should be made aware of the situation and of the care/contingency plan should haemorrhage occur. The patient’s wishes and discussions should be clearly documented.
