Who we are
The Association of Early Pregnancy Units (AEPU) is a multiprofessional organisation representing over 200 Early Pregnancy Units (EPUs) across the UK. Our members include healthcare professionals who specialise in early pregnancy assessment, surveillance, and care. The AEPU is dedicated to setting and maintaining high standards in the care of women during early pregnancy.
Founded in 1999, the AEPU holds an annual two-day conference at various locations across the UK. In recognition of our expertise, the AEPU was officially recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) as a specialist society in 2008.
What we do
The AEPU works towards improving early pregnancy care through various initiatives:
- Annual Conference: The AEPU’s flagship event, attended by 350-500 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, sonographers, and patient support representatives. The conference provides updates on clinical practice, facilitates debates, hosts clinical discussions, and offers valuable networking opportunities. Learn more about the 2025 AEPU conference.
- Academic engagement: We provide expert sessions on early pregnancy care at leading academic events, including the RCOG World Congress, the Annual Professional Development Conference, and British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) meetings.
- Clinical guidelines: We co-authored the RCOG/AEPU Green-top Guideline 21: Diagnosis and Management of Ectopic Pregnancy (2016), which is currently being updated. Additionally, AEPU contributed to the RCOG publication Standards for Gynaecology, writing the chapter on early pregnancy. We have been a key stakeholder in the development of NICE guidelines on ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, providing expert input and reviewing updates to these essential guidelines.
- Research collaboration: Early Pregnancy Units across the UK, supported by AEPU, participate in large multicentre research studies that address clinical questions directly impacting patient care. These studies include high-profile trials such as PRISM, PROMISE, TABLET, MIFEMISO, and GEM3, which focus on interventions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
- Professional standards: In collaboration with BMUS, AEPU developed joint standards for the process and documentation of early pregnancy ultrasound scans, ensuring high-quality imaging and consistent practices across units.
How we achieve our mission
The AEPU is made up of health professionals and lay members with expertise in emergency gynaecology and early pregnancy care. The organisation is led by an Executive Committee of 14 members.
Contact us
For further information, or if you have any questions, please email us at aepu@rcog.org.uk.