Services
Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU)
The CUMH Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) is a specialised unit where trained ultra-sonographers provide scans for women in early pregnancy. This unit is appointment based, and your GP or the Emergency Room will organise the scan appointment for you.
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The CUMH Early Pregnancy Unit is located at the CUMH Kinsale Road Clinic. It runs every Monday to Friday from 8am to 1pm.
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*Please note: The EPU moved from the Aislinn Suite in CUMH on 28 August 2023.*
Blood tests
Blood tests will sometimes be used to give doctors more information about your pregnancy.
The pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can be measured using serum beta-hCG (β-hCG), a blood test that can be done in early pregnancy.
This test is done when:
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An ultrasound scan is inconclusive.
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There is a query that the pregnancy is not in the right location (for example, a suspected ectopic pregnancy, where the pregnancy develops outside of the uterus).
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Two or more results are needed, usually 48 hours apart, to interpret the test accurately. If the β-hCG level increases by more than 66% in 48 hours, this is reassuring and is likely to be associated with a healthy viable pregnancy. If the β-hCG level decreases by more than 15%, this suggests a likely miscarriage. It is important that blood results are interpreted along with your detailed history, a clinical examination and, if medically indicated, an ultrasound scan.