We understand experiencing bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy can be an extremely stressful and emotional time. Please be aware this is not unusual and often the pregnancy is ongoing. However, it can be an indication of miscarriage or other complications. After being assessed by a healthcare professional you will be referred to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit.

Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU)

The EPAU provides assessment of women experiencing early pregnancy complications. The clinic is based in Women’s Outpatients on the lower ground floor of the hospital and runs Monday to Friday from 9:00-4:00pm.

What happens next?

A Doctor or Specialist Nurse will contact you within 72 hours of referral and undertake a telephone triage to assess your symptoms. Following which you may be asked to attend for a face to face consultation.

Preparing for an appointment

If you are asked to come in for an appointment please ensure you attend with a relatively full bladder. You may bring an adult with you, but no children. You will be seen by a Doctor or Specialist Nurse for a consultation and an ultrasound scan may be performed, this can be an internal scan.

What to do whilst awaiting contact?

You should return to the emergency department if:

  • Your bleeding becomes too heavy (i.e. saturating through sanitary towels every half hour for more than 2 hours)
  • Your pain becomes unmanageable, despite pain relief
  • You begin to feel unwell, faint or dizzy

Please do not contact the Women’s Outpatients department before 72 hours of referral has passed.

Useful websites:

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/bleeding-andor-pain-in-early-pregnancy-patient-information-leaflet/

Miscarriage Association: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/

Association of Early Pregnancy Units (AEPU): http://www.aepu.org.uk

Contact details.

Cumberland Infirmary: 01228 814264

West Cumberland Hospital: ​​​​​​​01946 523211

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302