Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS)
The Early Pregnancy Assessment Service is a clinic at St George Hospital to help women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant, who have a problem in the early part of their pregnancy. This is usually vaginal bleeding and or lower abdominal pain, or for women who have a miscarriage.
The EPAS provides team based assessment, diagnosis, and management plan for women who are at risk of or may have a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or a molar pregnancy.
The clinic runs between Monday and Friday (closed public holidays), and appointments are allocated from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Some women may require more than one visit before a diagnosis or full treatment can be made. All types of treatment for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies can be managed through the EPAS clinic.
We understand how important a pregnancy is, and that the uncertainty associated with pain and bleeding is emotionally demanding. For women experiencing miscarriage or pregnancy loss, we acknowledge the emotional hardship you or your loved ones face during this time. It is important to understand that you are not alone, and there are support services available to help you and your partner to navigate this emotional process.
If after testing and assessment, your pregnancy is well and continues, we will refer to the most appropriate caregivers for the rest of your pregnancy.
We provide treatment for women who are experiencing:
- Pain or bleeding (who are not too unwell), up to 20 weeks of the pregnancy,
- Women who have been diagnosed with a miscarriage on ultrasound scan,
- Women with other abnormal pregnancies ( like a molar pregnancy)
- Women who may have an ectopic pregnancy who required treatment for this, who are not too unwell,
- Ongoing problems after a miscarriage, like persistent bleeding of infection.
- Women who require close monitoring early in pregnancy where it is uncertain how the pregnancy is progressing.
- Women need to live in the Georges River, Bayside or Sutherland Local Government areas.
- Women who do not live in the Georges River, Bayside or Sutherland local government areas. These women will need to access their local hospital (eg. Bankstown or Canterbury etc)
- Women who are over 20 weeks. These women should contact the birth unit of the hospital that they are booked in to have their baby at if they have an urgent problem. For St George Public, call 9113 2125, St George Private 9598 5395, for Hurstville Private 9573 7731. Or please call your known care giver (obstetrician or midwife).
- Women with other early pregnancy problems like diabetes, hormone problems (thyroid issues etc), or nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis).
Your GP or the emergency department will usually make arrangements to refer you to the EPAS for assessment and treatment.
You can also 'self refer' yourself to the EPAS by texting your full name, date of birth and mobile phone number to the following phone number:
0447 577 685
Please do not call this phone number, as the phone calls cannot be received.
You will then receive a call after 730am the following week-day to receive an appointment at the EPAS. It may take up to 24 hours to receive a call back.
If your symptoms are more urgent- you have heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking more than a large pad per hour) or you have severe lower abdominal pain, then you should present immediately to your nearest hospital emergency department or phone 000 for ambulance.
EPAS is located on Ward 1 West in the main building (Tower Block) of St George Public Hospital. Gray St in Kogarah NSW.
Please enter through the Gray Street Main Entrance next to the Emergency Department. Take the lifts to the 1st floor, and Ward 1 West is just at the lift exits.
- All previous blood and ultrasound results.
- List of current medication and drug allergies.
- Any referral letter from your GP, specialist of the emergency department:
- Your Medicare/DVA/ Health care card.
GP referrals should be faxed to: 9113 3183
Or emailed to: seslhd-stg-epasclinic@health.nsw.gov.au
Please include all copies of relevant blood test and ultrasound results.
Please be prepared to stay for a few hours during your appointment if further testing is required.
You generally do not need to be fasting for your appointment unless you've been told to by your doctor.
A support person is welcome to attend with you, however, it's best not to bring children to your appointment.
A blood test and an ultrasound may be required at your appointment.
Is common for a trans-vaginal ('internal') ultrasound to be performed, which is the most accurate way to assess an early pregnancy. This procedure can be uncomfortable, but it's not painful. A full bladder is not required for this ultrasound.
The EPAS team includes a doctor and a midwife/nurse, who will see you and discuss the results and investigations with you. They will also make plans for further treatment and follow up according to your condition.
Sometimes surgery is required to manage a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. This will generally not be performed on the same day but be arranged for a future date depending on how urgent it needs to be.
Social work services are available if needed.
Some women may require several visits to EPAS to fully treat your condition, and some women may return to the GP for follow up of further test results. We will ensure you are provided with a letter for your GP regarding your pregnancy problems.
Please also note that the EPAS is a public hospital Medicare-funded clinic, and sometimes there can be other emergencies within the hospital that require the staff's attention. We will try to minimize any delays to your appointments and treatment, but sometimes this is unavoidable.
Pink Elephant - Support for Pregnancy Loss and Miscarriage
Bears of Hope - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
Red Nose - Grief and loss, Bereavement Support