The Detroit News. Fertiloscopy is usually done under local anesthesia and takes about 15 minutes. The patient is given a mild sedative through an IV, but remains awake throughout the procedure.
Many women watch the examination on a television monitor.
Then, after a local anesthetic is given to numb the area, a needle is inserted through the vaginal wall and into the abdominal cavity. About 10 ounces of saline is introduced into the abdominal cavity through the needle. During laparoscopy, carbon dioxide is introduced into the abdominal cavity to expand the area and make it easier for the doctor to view the organs. But this can cause painful gas pains after the procedure as the gas rises and pushes on the diaphragm. An instrument called a hysteroscope is attached to an angled camera and passed through the vaginal wall.