Our Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss Clinic provide investigation and treatment of recurrent early pregnancy loss. We support women through the early stages of their pregnancies.
We also offer access to research into recurrent miscarriage.
We accept referrals for patients who have experienced three or more consecutive early pregnancy losses (less than 14 weeks).
We accept referrals for patients who have experienced two consecutive pregnancy losses where:
- The patient is over 35 years
- One of these two losses occurred in the second trimester (measured over 14 weeks).
We accept referrals for patients who have been advised by a specialist that transabdominal cerclage may help them in a future pregnancy. For example women who have had previous extensive cervical surgery or those for whom a vaginal cerclage would not be possible or has not been successful in the past.
More information
The nurse-led history and screening outpatient clinic is held on Tuesday, 1pm-4pm and Wednesday, 9am-1pm.
The consultant-led outpatient clinics are held at Liverpool Women’s University Hospital every Thursday,1.30pm-5pm. Consultant and nurse led pregnancy surveillance clinics offer support with early pregnancy scans on a Tuesday and Thursday morning.
Pregnancy support booking appointments are usually on a Wednesday or Friday morning, following a dating scan and follow up antenatal care is arranged after this.
You will be referred by your GP.
You may also be referred by the Gynaecology Emergency team.
We aim to see patients for first appointment with our specialist nurse within eight weeks and for second results appointment with a clinician within 12 weeks. However, please be aware that our service is currently experiencing significant delays due to staff sickness and increased demand for appointments.
A variety of diagnostic investigations are used to screen for the possible causes of recurrent miscarriage. All patients referred to the clinic have blood tests for thyroid and antiphospholipid syndrome.
The specialist miscarriage nurse you meet at your first appointment will take your history and explain the blood tests. Patients who suffer a pregnancy loss during the second trimester are arranged a 3D ultrasound scan and vaginal swabs for bacterial vaginosis and cervical chlamydia. We currently do not have capacity to offer 3D scans to all recurrent miscarriage patients.
**Please avoid pregnancy if possible before being seen at your first appointment, should you become pregnant before your appointment please contact EPAU**
At a second appointment, approximately 12 weeks later, one of our consultants will discuss the results with you and agree plan for future pregnancies.
We offer access to pregnancy surveillance for two years after the most recent review appointment. These appointments are to allow reviews and ultrasound in early pregnancy with a member of the team tailored to the client’s history. If you are pregnant more than 2 years from your last appointment please contact your GP to arrange an urgent referral.
Our pregnancy support midwife sees patients over 12 week’s gestation on a Wednesday and liaises closely with Consultant-led antenatal care located at Liverpool Women’s and Aintree Centre for Women’s health. For patients who have experienced late pregnancy loss or have required a cervical cerclage we arrange ongoing pregnancy care with the Harris preterm labour clinic at Liverpool Women’s where appropriate.
We liaise with the Honeysuckle team for bereavement support. Clients are also signposted to local counselling services were needed, although we currently do not receive any direct funding. The miscarriage association and SANDS also provides support services and useful resources. Some patients may be eligible for referral to the local perinatal mental health hubs.
The recurrent miscarriage clinic and early pregnancy service at Liverpool Women’s offers Clients the opportunity to become involved with national research studies related to early pregnancy loss. Recent examples include EXAMEN, ALIFE 2, TABLET, PRISM and PROMISE.
We are currently recruiting to HYPATIA for women who have antiphospholipid antibodies. For latest details of studies, we are recruiting to, please email the Research Team.
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Liverpool Women’s University Hospital
Address: Liverpool Women’s University Hospital
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS