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Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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Gestational Sac Visible on Ultrasound
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am having twins and the sonogram shows a "gest sac" and a "yolk sac." What does this mean?

— Elsdigi in New York

ANSWER
November 20, 2001
Dear Elsdigi,
The term "gest sac" is an abbreviation for gestational sac--the bubble of fluid that surrounds the early embryo. The "yolk sac" is a tiny cystic structure that is present within the gestational sac of a healthy embryo. Often the yolk sac can be distinguished on ultrasound before the embryo is fully identifiable, and before the heart can be seen beating. The yolk sac is one more sign that the pregnancy is developing as it should.

Take care--and congratulations on your twin pregnancy!

— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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