But Emma, 29, admits it could all have been very different after doctors were forced to perform an emergency hysterectomy after she needed 69 pints of blood during the birth of her second child.

Now Emma has joined forces with the National Blood Service to encourage potential donors to give blood during the summer months, when more than 40 million people go abroad for their holidays.

Emma, of Pudsey, Leeds, needed an emergency blood transfusion and hysterectomy in March after a series of complications during the birth of her daughter Ava Rose, at Leeds General Infirmary.

The mum, who has another daughter, two-year-old Ruby, underwent a Caesarian section but suffered abdominal bleeding so severe that blood had to be delivered from three other West Yorkshire hospitals. "If the blood hadn't been available for me at that time, I would have died and my two daughters would have been left without a mum," she said.

"It made me realise how important giving blood really is.

"People don't often associate blood transfusions with childbirth but if the blood hadn't been there for me, I wouldn't be here now. I'm lucky because all the staff and surgeons at the hospital were brilliant.

"Having the hysterectomy was really upsetting but we've got two healthy girls and we feel really blessed.

"It's sad that we can't have any more children but it would be sadder if I wasn't here."

The summer campaign is also being supported by chef Simon Gueller, of the Box Tree in Ilkley, who is encouraging diners to eat an iron-rich diet to help maintain healthy blood.

Last year, one in 20 potential donors couldn't give blood because their haemoglobin levels were so low, which is why Simon is advising diners to eat plenty of red meat and vegetables.

He said: "It's really important to eat an iron-rich diet.

"I'd encourage all my diners to not only eat a good diet, but also to give blood.

"I don't think you realise how important it is until you need it yourself and I just wanted to do something to help."

For more information or to give blood, call the National Donor Helpline on 0845 771 1711 or visit www.blood.co.uk.

suzanne.mctaggart@ypn.co.uk

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