Early Pregnancy Units

An Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) is an emergency service that provides care for pregnant women experiencing complications up to 16 weeks into their pregnancy. EPU’s are extensions of the Emergency Department and can help support women and their families during a stressful time.

EPU’s can assess and treat conditions such as:
  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Severe vomiting
  • High risk of an ectopic pregnancy
  • Miscarriage
  • Molar pregnancy
  • Termination of pregnancy 
EPU services may include:
  • Quick assessments
  • Urine samples
  • Blood pressure and temperature checks
  • Medical history
  • Investigations such as ultrasounds, vaginal examinations, and blood tests 
EPUs accept referrals from a variety of sources, including GP’s, emergency departments, urgent care centers, family planning clinics, and expectant parents themselves. However, EPU’s are not always available 24 hours a day, so if you experience pain or bleeding on a weekend or bank holiday, you should go to an accident and emergency department.

There are over 200 Early Pregnancy Units across the UK in NHS hospitals. To find your nearest EPU, click the button below: