Resident Doctors are on strike from 7 - 13 April. Please continue to attend appointments at the hospital unless you are contacted directly to rearrange. Our hospitals will be busy, but we are still here to provide emergency care when you need it.

Bleeding and pain in early pregnancy

This page is for you if you have had a scan and know you have a pregnancy in the womb.

Information:

If you have not had a scan in our unit please contact your GP for advice.
The Early Pregnancy Unit does not take self-referrals.

Any amount of vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain in early pregnancy can cause concern that something is wrong with your pregnancy.

However, up to one in three women have these symptoms during the first twelve weeks of their pregnancy and it does not necessarily mean that there is a problem such as a miscarriage.

If you have a scan showing a pregnancy in the womb with a heartbeat there is a 95% chance that your pregnancy will continue if the bleeding settles down.

Please read our patient information leaflet which gives advice on:

  • why you may have had vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic pain during this pregnancy
  • what to do if you get further vaginal bleeding
  • improving your health and the outcome of your pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain in early pregnancy leaflet

Further information and support

If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding or pelvic plan in early pregnancy, please contact your GP (doctor), midwife, 111 or attend the emergency department depending on the nature of your symptoms.

If you are over 14 weeks pregnant, please contact the Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC).

Your GP

Please contact your GP if need further support or advice.

Your midwife

Make sure you book with a midwife as soon as you find out you are pregnant to start your pregnancy care.

If you are not an existing patient you will need a referral to access our service.

Early pregnancy referrals

We do not take self-referrals (referrals directly from the patient). We only take self-referrals from patients who have had a molar or an ectopic pregnancy in the past, or if you have a history of recurrent miscarriage (three previous consecutive first trimester miscarriages). 

Referrals can be made by your GP, an Urgent Treatment Centre, another hospital department or via the Emergency Department (A&E).

How to find us

Early pregnancy care is provided by the team on the Gynaecology Acute Treatment Unit (GATU). The unit is located on the second floor of Chancellors Wing at St James’s Hospital.

Directions to Ward J24 – Leeds Centre for Women’s Health

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