NoBlood

I am currently involved in forming a non blood protocol with a hospital in London. The protocol is in the obstetrics arena: an area where those women requiring non blood intervention still suffer from alarming mortality rates. The surgeon responsible for the protocol is doubtful over the efficacy of EPO in the obstetrics setting. His point is that pregnant women already have a naturally high erythropoiesis and that EPO would do little to raise the blood count even in cases of severe anaemia. I have seen references to the use of EPO in the treatment of post partum anaemia and wonder if his view is correct. So my question is: Does EPO confer benefit in raising the blood count in this setting?