Some maternity units have specific:
- Emergency and Assessment Units
- Early Pregnancy Assessment Units (EPAU)
Some general hospitals may have you use the emergency department.
Go to the maternity unit you have been booked into for your pregnancy.
In an emergency, go to the nearest maternity emergency service.
Emergency and Assessment Units
Urgent advice: Go to your nearest Emergency and Assessment Unit if:
- you are concerned that your baby’s normal movements have changed
- you have any vaginal bleeding
- your waters have broken, or you have any signs of labour and you are less than 37 weeks pregnant
You do not need an appointment.
Let your midwife know if you are over 37 weeks pregnant and:
- your waters have broken
- you have any signs of labour
Go to the Emergency and Assessment Unit if you have:
- signs of labour
- complications of pregnancy
- complications in the postnatal period
- acute gynaecological emergencies
Some Emergency and Assessment Units are located in maternity units, others are located in the emergency departments of general hospitals.
Some Emergency and Assessment Units only see women and children up to 6 weeks old. Others will see women and children of all ages.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 for an ambulance if:
- someone is pregnant and seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk
What to expect in the Emergency and Assessment Unit
When you arrive at the Emergency and Assessment Unit, register at reception.
The midwife or nurse will aim to see you as soon as possible.
They will:
- talk to you about your symptoms or concerns
- review your health record
- carry out an exam and assessment to find out how urgently you need to be reviewed
They will decide if you need to be seen by a doctor. The people most in need of help will be seen first.
Tell the midwife or nurse if you feel that your symptoms are changing while you are waiting.
Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU)
The EPAU is a department in a hospital that deals with problems in early pregnancy. The most common concerns are vaginal bleeding or pain.
Visiting the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit
You need an appointment to attend an EPAU.
You may be referred by your:
- Emergency and Assessment Unit
- GP
They will forward your details to the EPAU. You will be contacted with a date and time to attend.
If you need to be admitted to hospital, the staff will arrange this.
What to expect in the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit
The staff in the EPAU will assess you and your pregnancy.
This may involve:
- a medical history
- an internal (vaginal) examination
- a vaginal scan
- an ultrasound scan - come to the clinic with a full bladder to make the ultrasound easier
- blood tests
The exam or scan finding can sometimes be unclear.
There are limits to what an ultrasound scan can show at 6 weeks of pregnancy or less. If your scan or examination suggest that you are around 6 weeks pregnant or less, another scan may be arranged.
Urgent advice: Go to your GP or hospital immediately if:
- the bleeding is heavy
- you have worsening tummy (abdomen) pain
- you have pain in your shoulder tip
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 for an ambulance if:
- someone is pregnant and seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk