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Mother dies after refusing blood Mother dies after refusing blood
(about 1 hour later)
A young mother has died after giving birth to twins, following claims that she had refused a blood transfusion because of her faith.A young mother has died after giving birth to twins, following claims that she had refused a blood transfusion because of her faith.
Jehovah's Witness, Emma Gough, 22, from Telford, Shropshire, gave birth on 25 October. Jehovah's Witness Emma Gough, 22, from Telford, Shropshire, gave birth on 25 October.
The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is refusing to comment on reports that she had refused a blood transfusion. The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is refusing to comment on reports she had refused a blood transfusion.
Family friend Terry Lovejoy, said: "They are going through an immense amount of turmoil and grief." Family friend Terry Lovejoy said: "They are going through an immense amount of turmoil and grief."
He added: "We follow the Bible and abstain from blood and I've got no reason to believe that Emma didn't share those views."He added: "We follow the Bible and abstain from blood and I've got no reason to believe that Emma didn't share those views."
Patient confidentialityPatient confidentiality
Emma Gough's funeral is taking place at the Telford crematorium at 1530 GMT.
Christine Harris, who is friends with Ms Gough's mother-in-law Sham Gough, said: "The family have told me that a blood transfusion wouldn't have saved Emma."
The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital said it did not comment on individual cases because of patient confidentiality.
Spokesman Adrian Osborne said "the NHS will always investigate unusual deaths".
An inquest has been opened and adjourned for a date to be fixed.
The twins, a boy and a girl, are healthy and being cared for by their father, Anthony Gough, 24.The twins, a boy and a girl, are healthy and being cared for by their father, Anthony Gough, 24.
Christine Harris, a friend of Ms Gough's mother-in-law Sham Gough, said: "The family have told me that a blood transfusion wouldn't have saved Emma."
Tom Taylor, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: "We have offered our deepest condolences to the family, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
"Because events such as this are so rare, it is normal practice to undertake a full internal review and also to inform the coroner so an inquest can take place."
An inquest has been opened and adjourned for a date to be fixed. Emma Gough's funeral is taking place at the Telford crematorium at 1530 GMT.
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions because they believe that God has forbidden it in the Bible. They believe that accepting a blood transfusion is a sin.Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions because they believe that God has forbidden it in the Bible. They believe that accepting a blood transfusion is a sin.
Head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, said: "If somebody believes that having blood will excommunicate them from their religious beliefs, then they will often say no and accept the risk of death."Head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, said: "If somebody believes that having blood will excommunicate them from their religious beliefs, then they will often say no and accept the risk of death."