Mum saved by emergency blood transfusion during childbirth celebrates baby’s first birthday

A Lanarkshire mum whose life was saved by blood donors while giving birth is celebrating the first birthday of the daughter she nearly lost her life delivering.

Naomi Plenderleith, 35, suffered a severe postpartum haemorrhage during labour at University Hospital Wishaw on June 14 and she lost around 4.8 litres of blood.

She received six units of donated blood during an emergency transfusion.

Naomi, mum to Ivy, six and one-year-old Isla, said: “I used to read about blood donation on my social media and see the messages on TV, but I must admit, I didn’t give it a second thought. Now I know that if it wasn’t for blood donors, I wouldn’t be here.

“If it wasn’t for blood donors, Isla and Ivy would have been left without a mum.”

Naomi, who lives in Hamilton, has shared her experience to encourage Scots to give more blood on World Blood Donor Day.

She said: “Donors are really important. Blood is needed all the time in our hospitals. It saves people’s lives, people of all ages and all backgrounds.

“The staff were amazing and kept me calm through the whole process. My mum was there with me the whole time and now she’s become a blood donor too!

“I’m now able to be a mother to my two beautiful girls. I would urge anyone who is able to donate to do so, it saved me.”

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Donating blood could save someone’s life and this World Blood Day I would encourage anyone who is able to do so to attend one of the many blood donation sessions run each week in centres across the country.

“You never know when you or a loved one might require a blood transfusion and the more people that come forward, the more supply we will have in Scotland to respond in times of emergency.

“Donating blood is a selfless act, so I also want to take this opportunity to thank all donors who have ever given blood and all our exceptional staff and volunteers who have helped to save the lives of people like Naomi’s.”

Pauline Stewart, SNBTS Donor Services, said: “World Blood Donor Day has come at a fantastic time for us this year. Scotland urgently needs more blood donors. We know that donations can drop during big football moments, but blood cannot be stockpiled, and Scotland needs to welcome almost 500 donors every day. Only around 2% of the eligible population currently give blood, which makes our blood supply fragile at the best of times. We hope that people look at Naomi and her family, and remember how very important giving blood is.”

“At this point in time, we are particularly keen to welcome Group O donors as supplies of this important type are lower than we’d like. We all have it in us to change lives – so c’mon Scotland, book your first appointment today.”