Referral criteria from primary care - suspected ectopic pregnancy

Refer immediately to an early pregnancy assessment service (or out-of-hours gynaecology service if the early pregnancy assessment service is not available) for further assessment

women with a positive pregnancy test and the following on examination:

pain and abdominal tenderness

or pelvic tenderness

or cervical motion tenderness

Refer to an early pregnancy assessment service (or out-of-hours gynaecology service if the early pregnancy assessment service is not available) women with bleeding or other symptoms and signs of early pregnancy complications who have:

• pain or
• a pregnancy of 6 weeks gestation or more or
• a pregnancy of uncertain gestation

The urgency of this referral depends on the clinical situation.

Reference:

• 1) NICE (December 2012).Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage