Making sure Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions What is an early pregnancy unit? When should you go to an early pregnancy unit? What can they do for you at an early pregnancy unit? What if I feel anxious? What happens if I forget to ask about something? How do I find my nearest Early Pregnancy Unit? When are Early Pregnancy Units open? Do I need an appointment or can I just turn up? What is an early pregnancy unit? The NHS has more than 250 early pregnancy units across the UK. They’re often found in gynaecology units, but they are staffed by a dedicated team of doctors and nurses in order to see women and their partners with problems during their first 13 weeks of pregnancy. When should you go to an early pregnancy unit? 1) If you are in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy and you experience bleeding. This could be anything from light spotting to something heavier than your usual period. You might see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissue. 2) If you are in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy and you are experiencing abdominal pain. This could be cramps in your tummy, along with pelvic or back pain. 3) If you are being sick all the time. 4) If you suspect for any reason you might be having a miscarriage. 5) If your GP or practice nurse has referred you.              Click here to go back to top of page What can they do for you at an early pregnancy unit? Each early pregnancy unit is run by a team of doctors, nurses, ultrasonographers, midwives and support staff. They specialise in the problems of early pregnancy such as bleeding and pain. The staff will ask you questions about your medical history and discuss the problems you are experiencing now. They may test your blood or urine to measure your hormone levels in order to confirm that you are pregnant. After this they might arrange an ultrasound scan for you. They are experienced in early scanning and can check on the development of your pregnancy. If the pregnancy is in a very early stage, it may be most easily seen by a vaginal scan. This can be slightly uncomfortable, but it’s not painful and it doesn’t cause a miscarriage. After a heartbeat has been found during a scan most women leave the unit feeling reassured. In some cases, the pregnancy is as such an early stage that it’s not possible to tell whether the pregnancy is continuing. The heart only begins to beat at about 6 or 7 weeks after your last period. The only way that they can tell the difference between an early pregnancy that will continue normally and one that is not, is to do another scan 7 to 10 days’ later to see whether there has been a change. If the pregnancy is ectopic (growing in the Fallopian tube) it may be seen as a swelling outside the womb. Again, an ectopic pregnancy might be too small to be seen. The blood tests indicate that the pregnancy hormone levels are increasing, but no pregnancy can be seen on scan. Sometimes it might be necessary to have a physical examination to rule out an ectopic pregnancy or look at your cervix.  Click here to go back to top of page What if I feel anxious? The staff caring for you at the unit know that this can be a stressful time and they will do their best to decrease your anxiety. Whatever your concerns, the staff at the early pregnancy unit will be able to give you clear verbal and written information. Click here to go back to top of page What happens if I forget to ask about something? When you visit a unit they’ll give you a phone number so that you can call them afterwards if there’s anything you’re concerned about. In the event that you have been given bad news, staff will discuss all the options open to you.  Click here to go back to top of page How do I find my nearest Early Pregnancy Unit? Click here to find your local Early Pregnancy unit. When are Early Pregnancy Units open? Opening times vary from unit to unit. Most offer consultations on weekdays during the daytime, but some also provide an evening and weekend service. By looking for your nearest Early Pregnancy Unit on this site you will be able to find out the opening hours for your local unit and how to contact them. Click here to go back to top of page Do I need an appointment or can I just turn up? Again this varies. Some units can see you if you just turn up there. At others you need to phone ahead to make an appointment. Then for some units you need to see your GP or midwife first so that they can make a referral for you to go to your local unit. To find out how the system works at your local early pregnancy unit Click Here for more information  Click here to go back to top of page

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