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Service information

  • The Maternity Service is designed to meet the needs of all women from Tayside and North-East Fife during their pregnancy, birth and post natal care. 
  • Care is delivered in a way that promotes pregnancy and childbirth as a normal life event, whilst recognising the needs of mothers with pre-existing medical conditions and associated risk factors, who require medical or obstetric interventions. 
  • Throughout Tayside the midwives work in a continuity model. They work in small teams of ideally 8 midwives, to facilitate continuity of care during pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. Each team has a linked Obstetrician. For more information the midwifery teams can be contacted by the information below for general discussion via base unit telephone numbers. 

Who to refer

Self-referral for booking  

Self-referral is appropriate for all women who find out they are pregnant. Women can access this at https://www.badgernotes.net/selfreferral/carelocation/tayside or the link can be found on the NHS Tayside website in the Maternity Services section or by searching for “Pregnant Tayside” on Google.  
 
NHS Fife use the same self-referral site, and their page can be accessed via https://www.badgernotes.net/SelfReferral/CareLocation/victoriahospital if women wish to receive maternity care in Fife. 
 
The GP is notified of booking via Badgernet and encouraged to share any relevant information.

Early pregnancy problems

Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) in Ninewells Hospital is a dedicated clinic for the review, assessment and management of those with suspected or confirmed early pregnancy complications up to 13+6 weeks gestation covering all of NHS Tayside. For example: PV bleeding, suspected miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.  
 
An early scan service is also provided for those who qualify based on previous miscarriage or obstetric history for which patients can self-refer by telephone. Those with medical co-morbidities who are thought to require an early scan should be referred via Obstetric Vetting for further advice.  
 
EPAC will accept referrals, including self-referral, for those with the following symptoms only:  

  • Pain with or without bleeding with positive pregnancy test and up to 13+6 weeks by LMP with no previous scan confirming intrauterine pregnancy and no clinical signs of ruptured ectopic pregnancy with normal observations.
  • Minimal to moderate bleeding with risk factors for ectopic pregnancy and positive pregnancy test up to 13+6 weeks by LMP with no previous scan confirming intrauterine pregnancy and no clinical signs of ruptured ectopic pregnancy with normal observations.
  • Minimal to moderate bleeding only in pregnancy from 6-13+6 weeks regardless of whether had previous scan or not with or without history of previous miscarriage.

Those with heavy bleeding (changing pads every 60 minutes) or suspected ectopic pregnancy with severe pain or abnormal observations or suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy should be referred directly to the Gynaecology Registrar On-Call Bleep 5610.  
 
All other clinical concerns in those up to 13+6 weeks pregnant should be discussed with the Gynaecology Registrar On-Call Bleep 5610. 

  • Open : 09.00 am-4.30pm Monday-Friday (closed public holidays ) Tel: 01382 632069
  • For early pregnancy advice at other times please contact The Gynaecology Suite Ninewells Hospital - 01382 660111 and ask for extension 35045. 

Infant feeding

Infant feeding advice and support for healthcare professionals and parents: 

Useful resources

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 08/04/2025

Next review date: 08/04/2027