Referral to Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic

[SkittyKat]

I’m 6 weeks pregnant and had some red blood loss last night and a brown tinge on wiping this morning. I’ve got some cramping pains (but that’s somewhat normal for me) and last night I had a pain in my ribs which was like a stitch pain and cake on really suddenly. It’s much better this morning but still there a bit.

Should I try and get assessed at the EPAC and if so who do I call? I have googled my local ones and they say you need to be referred but I don’t have a midwife yet and the GP isn’t open on Saturday. Do I call 111?

Ring the hospital where the clinic is located and ask to put through to them. If they don't want to, explain your circumstances and ask what they think you should do. They may tell you to call 111.

Don't leave it too late OP as if it's sadly an ectopic, the earlier it's caught the better.

I’ve called 111 and they have told me to go to A&E!

Hi OP. I'm really sorry to hear that. I've been there before more than once and I understand how stressful it is.

If you're only six weeks gone, the EPU probably wouldn't scan you as it's very early to see anything on the screen. Mine won't scan you before seven weeks.

Unless you have symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy don't worry about that. I was with someone who had one and they were screaming with pain. It doesn't sound like you're in that position. If you get shoulder tip pain (other symptoms are on NHS website) then seek help.

I'm really not sure why they're telling you to go to A and E. They can't help you.

I really hope things work out for you, OP.

Am in A&E waiting to be seen. I do have some mild shoulder pain (but assumed it was muscular). If they query ectopic would they not have to do a scan?

111 always troop out the go to a&e advice - I've had 5 miscarriages and my advice is not to bother it's the last place you want to be when you are bleeding. It's the weekend. They won't have staff or the equipment in a&e to scan you. They'll send you home and maybe get you an appointment in EPU for Monday or Tuesday.
I've had 2 ectopics and both ruptured and yeah it was that painful I couldn't even scream or walk for that matter (and I consider myself a tough little so and so). Shoulder tip pain is also parroted out as an ectopic symptom but it's caused by internal bleeding reaching the diaphragm and so is pretty much the last symptom you get before collapsing - and you'd know about it before it got to that point. I was writhing in agony

I agree with previous posters there is really very little anyone can do at this point - the best place is to be home and comfortable in your mown environment- lots of warm baths, chocolate and bed x

If you have shoulder tip pain its best to go a&e to get seen, they can refer you to epu for a scan. If there was no shoulder tip pain most epus take self referrals and I wouldn't waste my time waiting for hours. Hope everything is ok

The EPUs in my area you have to get referred to. Waiting blood test results and the doctor said depending on those they will call obs and gynae to see what they want to do.

I’m definitely not in agony so hopefully it’s nothing like an ectopic but I’m here now so might as well see what happens! The cannula they put in my arm hurts more than the rest of it!!

How you doing

@cultkid

How you doing

I’m ok thanks. No more bleeding and the pain has eased so who knows. I am still waiting to hear from the EPU. They said at A&E that I would be contacted by them directly for a scan so I would imagine that would be tomorrow.

I hope everything goes well for you, OP. I had a lot of bleeding and some very sharp pain at just over 6 weeks and the EPAU were able to scan me that early in my pregnancy. They will do an internal scan at that point in pregnancy. I hope they will be able to reassure you. Despite heavy bleeding, my pregnancy is still progressing. I find the not knowing is the worst part.

My local EPAU won't accept self referrals either, unless you have had two miscarriages. It is frustrating, I really sympathise with you.

Hope everything turns out ok op