Jehova’s  Witnesses are forbidden from taking  in blood whether in the form of physical ingestion or blood transfusion. It is known by a lot of people, but real-life examples of instances wherein devout followers of the religion choose to keep faithful to  the “teachings of their God” have been scarce. Jehova’s Witnesses believe that taking in blood is considered a sin and is something that will be taken  against them come the final judgment.

Such cases are rare, so it shocked doctors and other  medical professionals in Britain when a young woman who just gave birth to twins died after reportedly refusing to have a blood transfusion. Childbirth can be a very tedious and long drawn out process wherein the mother will potentially need to be transfused blood to replenish the amount that is lost during delivery. In the case of Emma Gough, a 22 year-old Jehova’s Witness who was admitted at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shropshire, faith was just too much to  betray.

The young mother chose to honor her commitment to the teachings of her religion even if it meant almost certain death. Gough’s relatives are also Jehova’s Witnesses, so despite the grief and sadness that gripped the family, they are all at peace with Emma’s decision adding that they would’ve done the same.

Despite this, an  extensive investigation will still be done by the hospital to ensure that there was no foul play or  neglect that was responsible for the death of Emma Gough. Such cases are rare in Britain and officials would rather be on the safe side rather than just take things at face value.

The twins are healthy and doing well and are under the care of Emma’s husband - Anthony Gough.

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