Red Headed = increased bleeding risk?

[MIA-RN1, RN]

Hi all! Yet another something I learned/heard at work and I don't know if its anecdotal or based in fact.

Has anyone else ever heard that red-headed patients are more at risk for bleeding/post-partum hemorrhage?

[fgoff]

I've heard this & being a red-head I've had trouble clotting before. When all labs showed no problems other than anemia (poor diet)????? Things that make you go HMMMMM?????

[LizzyL&DRN]

I've heard this too, many many times. Of all the "true" red heads I've taken care of, I have yet to see a postpartum hemorrhage or increased bleeding. I think i've heard there is an increased risk of genetic clotting disorders with true red heads but i'm not sure and don't have any literature to back that up.

[RNKITTY04]

I,m a redhead and definatly a bleeder. Does anyone have any scientific data r/t this subject?

[expatnurse]

I also have heard this said when I was out with the midwives. The one person I know who could ask said this was the case for her. I too would be interested in the science if any behind this.

[Hooligan]

As a redhead, I've heard this too...and interestingly enough, I couldn't get an epidural because my d-dimers were off...but I think that had more to do with the pre-eclampsia than being a redhead. Poor hubby couldn't be in the room for my c-section...

[SmilingBluEyes]

True natural redhead here. Lost very little blood both deliveries, even my csection, less than 400 ml.

HOWEVER I feel pain more intensely than most...and I have read studies that say this seems to be true. Wonder why....

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

We did a study on both of these subjects (with red-haired females) where I used to work. I believe the bleeding study found that although the red-heads tended to bruise more easily, their coags were comparable to dark-haired female counterparts. If I remember correctly, the population sample wasn't very large, though.

As for the pain threshold study, we took a different route, and studied red haired females receiving anesthesia. They apparently required 20% more anesthesia than dark-haired or blonde females. I think it has something to do with the gene that is responsible for red hair and freckles.

I think it would be a good idea to research red-haired females and a propensity for MS. Have any of you noticed that most of your MS patients will be red-heads, or is it just me?

[rainy scarlett]

I am taking Maternal-Fetal Nursing right now & just the other day one of our instructors said that every L & D nurse will tell you that true redheads bleed more. A clinical instructor told us you won't find it in any textbooks, but to watch out for the redheads, because they tend to hemorrhage on you more often.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I have NOT found that to be true (that redheads bleed more). I just have not, and I have been at this for 9 years now. So not EVERY L/D nurse will tell you this. It seems to be more anecdotal than proven, really.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

wow! Thanks so much for all the responses. I, too, would love to see a link if there is one, to research on this.

As to the MS, I have read that it affects blondes and those in the northern hemisphere more often.

[kirsnikity]

I really can't speak from experience, but my nursing textbook Maternal-Newborn & Child Nursing, London, et.al states that "women who are natural redheads tend to experience heavier bleeding after childbirth." No reference is given for this though. I also have a midwifery textbook that says something similar.

Nikki