
MUMS - Midlands Ultrasound and Medical Services
Sonography, Physiotherapy, + 37 more
The first thing I would say is: before using MUMs, please do your own research and make sure you fully understand what tests are being carried out and why.
I had booked myself in for a HyCoSy to investigate whether I had blocked fallopian tubes. Before the procedure, I was advised that I needed to have an STI screening test.
When I booked and paid for this test, the information provided to me, as well as the email confirmation, clearly stated that it would be a blood test. I therefore arrived prepared to have my blood taken.
However, when I attended, I was informed by a very friendly member of staff that the test was actually a urine sample. The test cost £210. I subsequently questioned why my bloods had not been taken and was told that urine could be used to detect the STIs they were testing for.
To be absolutely clear, I have no reason to believe that I have an STI, and I am not suggesting otherwise. My concern is about being properly informed about what I was paying for and whether the testing method being used was appropriate for the infections being screened for.
Afterwards, I did some research of my own, spoke to friends who are practice nurses, and looked into the different testing methods used for the infections included in STI screening. This raised questions for me about whether all of the infections being tested for could be reliably identified through a urine sample, or whether in some cases a blood test or swab would be more appropriate.
As a result, I became concerned about the validity and comprehensiveness of the testing I had received, and this ultimately made me question whether I felt comfortable proceeding with my HyCoSy at MUMs. I have since cancelled the procedure and decided to have it carried out elsewhere.
I appreciate that this is only my personal experience, and I am not in any way attempting to discredit Miss Poonam Pradhan personally. My concern is with the information I was given, the testing process and the lack of clarity around exactly what was being tested and how. This was just a simple test compared to other procedures they do at MUMs which has made me once again feel uneasy.
This may well fall on deaf ears, but I wanted to share my experience because infertility investigations can be extremely expensive, stressful and emotionally difficult. For anyone considering treatment or investigations through MUMs, I would strongly recommend doing your own research, asking exactly which tests are being performed and understanding how those tests are carried out before spending a significant amount of money.
For me, the lack of clarity around something as important as STI testing was enough to make me lose confidence in the process and ultimately take my treatment elsewhere.
Seen for:
Hysterosalpingo Contrast Sonography (HyCoSy)