In Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare we have three Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPACs).
EPACs are designed to provide care for people experiencing early pregnancy complications such as pain or bleeding, offering urgent care for people with suspected miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy who are safe to wait for an outpatient appointment.
Where are the EPAC clinics?
Who can go to EPAC clinics?
- You must have had a positive pregnancy test and be more than six weeks (and less than 20 weeks) pregnant to be able to self-refer into the early pregnancy clinic.
- If you are less than six weeks pregnant, then you must see a healthcare professional for a referral to the service.
- The Early Pregnancy Assessment clinic is an emergency clinic for patients who are experiencing abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy.
- If you have already had an ultrasound this pregnancy confirming that your pregnancy is in the right place (in the womb rather than ectopic), then we do not need to see you again if you have light bleeding or mild pain and you are still less than 12 weeks gestation.
- Please contact us if you are in the second trimester and have new pain/bleeding. Even if you have had a scan before, we will contact you to work out what type of assessment you need next.
- If your symptoms are suggestive of pelvic-girdle pain, please contact your midwife for support if needed.
- If your pain is only in your upper abdomen or if you have typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection (pain passing urine, urgency to pass urine) please contact your GP, call NHS 111 or the Emergency Department as appropriate, as the early pregnancy clinic may not be the right place for you to be seen.
- If you have a pain or symptoms in another part of your body (with no abdominal pain), please contact your GP, call NHS 111 or the Emergency Department if needed.
- The Early Pregnancy Assessment clinic also cares for patients who are more than six weeks pregnant and previously had an ectopic or molar pregnancy
This clinic is not for routine pregnancy care. If you would like to register your pregnancy, you can do this at: Badger Notes - Self-refer your pregnancy to BNSSG
If you have nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), please look at Pregnancy Sickness Support UK Charity website for advice and contact your GP, 111 or your midwife if needed. We do not see people in EPAC for NVP alone. Your GP will refer into gynaecology services if needed.
Can I bring someone else to the clinic?
Most pregnancies are healthy despite bleeding, but some women find their bleeding is due to a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
This is frequently a devastating and upsetting diagnosis.
Please consider bringing someone with you to this clinic as you may need emotional support from an adult partner, family member, or friend.
Please note that due to the nature of this clinic, we strongly discourage children from attending. Please inform a staff member if this is not possible, so we can make alternative adjustments.
How to complete a self-referral
If you meet these criteria, you can fill out the form to refer yourself. Your GP, midwife or emergency department doctor can also help you.
We will call you back on the same, or the next working day (Monday to Friday) using the phone number you give us.
Please be aware that weekends and bank holidays may mean there is a longer wait before you hear from us.
When we call, we may talk about your symptoms or offer you an appointment.
What should you do if you don’t meet the criteria for self-referral?
- If you are less than six weeks pregnant, talk to your GP or call NHS 111 for advice.
- If you are more than 19 weeks pregnant, call the maternity unit at the hospital where you are booked to give birth.
