Criteria for referral

• Patients between 5 and 16 weeks of pregnancy, with a positive pregnancy test, who have experienced pain or bleeding can self-refer to this clinic. Healthcare professionals can also refer patients using same referral method.
• Patients who are less than 5 weeks pregnant and experience pain or bleeding should seek medical advice from their GP in the first instance. Ultrasound scans at less than 5 weeks are often inconclusive and this can create additional distress to patients, as well as creating additional investigations and attendances which may not otherwise be required.
• Patients who are more than 16 weeks pregnant and experience pain or bleeding should seek advice from the maternity triage line on 01225 826454.
• A positive pregnancy test within the last 48 hours is required prior to completing an ultrasound scan. Patients who self-refer should complete a pregnancy test at home prior to attending the clinic. Healthcare professionals who refer to the early pregnancy clinic should ensure their patients have a pregnancy test completed at the time of clinical review.
• The early pregnancy assessment clinic also offers early ultrasound scans at 6-7 weeks of pregnancy for patients who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy, recurrent miscarriage, or a previous pregnancy loss. Patients can self-refer for this service.
• Patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum who have not had an ultrasound in their current pregnancy should also have an early pregnancy ultrasound scan. Patients can self-refer for this service. Please see the hyperemesis guideline for more information.

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