Abrianna Newman
A Hoxworth phlebotomist who once spent her days helping save lives through drawing blood suddenly found herself on the other side when she needed a lifesaving blood transfusion from Hoxworth donors after giving birth. Her story is a powerful reminder that any of us can become a patient in an instant. Read how the generosity of local blood donors carried her through one of the most vulnerable moments of her life and why your donation truly matters.
Abrianna Newman has plenty of experience with the importance of blood donation. Not only is she a donor, but she also worked as a phlebotomist at Hoxworth Blood Center in TriCounty for eight months before giving birth to her first child. Little did she know that one day, she would need that blood to survive.
During Abrianna’s pregnancy, she learned she was anemic after completing bloodwork and other routine tests. Her doctors came up with a plan to give her iron infusions and B12 shots to keep her anemia get under control. They were optimistic that this treatment would prevent any complications during birth. Abrianna continued working until the week before she gave birth.
On July 7, Abrianna welcomed her son, Beckett into the world. Abrianna’s mom, Valerie Kelley was there for the birth and says she knew something wasn’t right.
“When we were in the hospital, I had that mom instinct," remembers Valerie, "I said 'something’s not right.' I said 'she looks really pale.'”
Not only does Valerie say this was motherly instinct, but she also works at Hoxworth Blood Center at their Blue Ash location as a field manager and knows the symptoms of blood loss. Despite these concerns, Abrianna was discharged and went home with her new baby.
It didn’t take long before Abrianna ended up back at Bethesda North Hospital. Her uterus would not close on its own, she had blood clots and she was losing too much blood. Valerie remembers learning her daughter would need a procedure just days after giving birth.
“They said we’ve had some complications; we need to go in and get the bleeding to stop," Valerie continues, "There’s a possibility she could have a hysterectomy and we’re going to need blood.”
Abrianna ended up needing two units of blood at Bethesda North to get her body back to a normal level. Her mom remembers seeing the blood being brought into the hospital to treat her daughter.
“I was sitting there and I saw the courier come in there with the cooler of Hoxworth blood there and it all kind of hit me”
Because Abrianna had worked at Hoxworth Blood Center the week before giving birth, she says she could have drawn the very blood that was given to her.
“Without that blood, who would have known what would have happened to me because my levels were so low.”
Thankfully, the transfusion was enough to fix the problem and Abrianna did not need a hysterectomy. Now this new mom has a very personal reason to encourage people to donate blood. She says it’s important to take the time to save lives.
“Time is valuable, but it is worth it. Especially being somebody who received a blood transfusion and knowing how much of a difference it made for me and knowing that there are people who have to get blood transfusions regularly to help maintain their life. And I would say there’s nothing more rewarding and more worth it.“
Prior to working at Hoxworth, Abrianna's mom, Valerie, used to work in oncology and would explain to blood donors how their blood could help cancer patients. Something she had witnessed firsthand. But now, she has a new, even more personal reason to encourage blood donors.
“I’ve always tried to encourage my husband to donate because I say, ‘what if one of our kids needs blood?’ And he would always say it’s not happening. But you never know. And in my mind, I have teenage drivers and I’m thinking car accident. I never thought about giving birth because I think as women, it’s such a natural thing we forget all the complications that come along with child birth.”
Did You Know?
One in 83 childbirths in the United States requires a blood transfusion. The most common cause is postpartum hemorrhage. This is exactly what happened to Abrianna. In these cases, it’s imperative to transfuse blood quickly before the bleeding becomes worse.
Abrianna says even though this was a scary experience, she knew she was in good hands and got great care.
“It all seems really big and seems really terrifying. But the people that are with you through it all, they’ve been through it before.”
Abrianna is doing great now and is adjusting to life as a new mom. Not only is she a mom to Beckett, but she is also a fulltime student at The University of Cincinnati studying elementary education and has a job as a paraprofessional at a local school. Despite all of this, she still plans to donate blood once she’s healthy enough!
Can you step up and help moms like Abrianna? Schedule your appointment today!
