The patient lies on a table with her feet in stirrups as for a pelvic exam. The physician grasps the cervix with an instrument and lifts it slightly. The physician then inserts a long, thin needle through the vagina and into the cavity behind the uterus (sometimes called the Douglas cul-de-sac). The grasping of the cervix may cause some cramping, and the insertion of the needle, as with any needle, will cause a brief sharp pain. The procedure takes about ten minutes.
The fluid is extracted. If blood is present, then ectopic pregnancy is a probable cause. The physician may perform a laparoscopy for a more accurate diagnosis and to remove the ectopic pregnancy. If the doctor is looking for pelvic inflammatory disease, the fluid will be analyzed for an infectious agent.
