Mother dies after blood refusal
Monday, 05 Nov 2007 15:45
Jehovah's Witnesses believe blood transfusions are a sin
Health In Focus
Another nail in the coffin for smokers? Catch out exclusive webchat to find out... Full Story
A new mother has died after refusing a blood transfusion on the grounds of her religious beliefs, according to reports.
Emma Gough, 22, from Telford, gave birth to twins at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital on October 25th but complications caused severe blood loss and she died a few hours later.
Reports claim that she had refused a transfusion as Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible has forbidden it.
They argue that to accept a blood transfusion is a sin.
In a statement Shrewsbury and Telford NHS trust chief executive Tom Taylor said: "We have offered our deepest condolences to the family, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."
Newspapers say that the twins' father, Anthony Gough, is caring for them.
His best man, Peter Welsh, told the Sun: "Everyone is devastated by what has happened.
"What makes it even more sad is Emma had time to hold and start to bond with her twins before the complications set in."