Leaflet Details
| Title | Early Pregnancy Unit |
| Department | Early Pregnancy Unit / Women's Health |
| Author(s) | EPU Team |
| Review Date | February 2023 |
| Next Review | February 2025 |
| Download | A5 Booklet PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
Introduction
This leaflet is intended to give you additional information to that received from a healthcare professional.
WELCOME TO THE EARLY PREGNANCY UNIT (EPU)
Your doctor has requested that you attend this Assessment Unit because a problem has arisen during the early stages (first 12 weeks) of your pregnancy.
People you will meet:
- Nursing Staff (the nurse may also perform the scan)
- Sonographer (health professional who performs the scans)
- Doctor (the doctor may also perform the scan)
- Admin team
This is an emergency service for women referred by their GP, midwife, A& E or healthcare professionals with pain and /or vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy.
The aims of the unit are to offer help and assistance with the pregnancy related problem you are experiencing.
The time spent in the Unit may vary. We aim to assess and prioritise women depending on clinical need. We do not use an appointment system and if you have been a time to attend the unit, please note this is an approximate time. We however, try to minimise the time spent in the unit during a follow up visit but this may not always be possible.
The nature of the clinic, therefore, means that some patients will take greater emergency priority and some patients will need more time spent with them than others.
Using this system allows us the flexibility to see and scan most women on the same day they present to our unit. Occasionally you will be asked to return the next day for your scan.
Though a fixed appointment system is used in other units this usually results in a delay of several days before being seen. For this reason we have adopted a same day referral system.
As we are unable to predict the number of referrals we get each day, there may be a delay in the time taken to complete your review when you present to our unit.
The average time spent in the unit is 2-4 hours.
If you need an ultrasound scan, this is carried out either in the Early Pregnancy Unit or in the Obstetric and Gynaecology scan department. As previously stated, we are unable to give you a definite time as this varies with demand on that day but will do our best to keep the delay to a minimum.
If a scan is to be performed this will normally be an internal scan (a small probe is inserted into the vagina, close to the womb). This makes it easier to get a detailed picture of what is happening with your pregnancy. This should not be painful and will not harm your pregnancy.
As a result of the limited space within our clinical rooms and the emergency nature of our service, we may only be able to allow one individual to accompany you into the clinical area.
After your scan, you will be reviewed by the doctor/nurse to discuss the results and to have any further test or treatments that may be necessary. Please take this opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
We understand that this is a distressing time for you, and we will do our best to see you promptly.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Early Pregnancy Unit 01932 722662
https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/early-pregnancy-unit
- Monday 9am - 4pm (Scanning List 9am - 5pm)
- Tuesday 9am - 4pm
- Wednesday 9am - 1pm
- Thursday 9am - 1pm
- Friday 9am - 4pm (Scanning List 9am - 5pm)
If you need to be seen urgently outside these times, please attend the Accident and Emergency Department.
The Miscarriage Association
01924 200799 (helpline)
https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
The Association of Early Pregnancy Units
https://www.earlypregnancy.org.uk/
