The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) in Ward C1 at the University Hospital of Wales is an integrated single unit, which takes referrals from all over Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The staff in the unit are skilled in the management of early pregnancy complications, including ultrasound scanning.
The main object of the service is to minimise unnecessary hospital admissions, which benefits both patients and the staff.
Referral criteria: women under 13 weeks with a positive pregnancy test and:
a) abdominal pain
b) vaginal bleeding
c) previous ectopic pregnancy
d) previous tubal surgery
e) three or more previous miscarriages
f) Intrauterine Contraceptive Device in-situ.
Referral: patients are mainly referred to the Unit by their GP, but also from Gynaecology wards, by Midwives and other medical routes.
Guidelines: care is provided to women following guidelines that have been produced by the department.