Once this is accomplished, due to the importance of having a completely sterile environment to reduce the likelihood of infections, the cervix and the adjacent anterior (front) and posterior (back) recesses in the vagina will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
Some physicians may apply a local anesthesia, such as 5 percent lidocaine gel, into the cervical canal to reduce discomfort.
Your doctor will then use a tenaculum to help stabilize the cervix and keep it steady. The tenaculum is a long-handled, slender, instrument that is attached to the cervix to steady the uterus.
