Yolk Sac Tear at 8 Weeks: Understanding Risks & Management

Question
QUESTION: At 8 weeks gestation, transvaginal ultrasound indicates a small yolk sac tear.  My OB recommends "pelvic rest" and no heavy lifting. Follow up ultrasound to be in 2 weeks.  Please explain about the tear.  Does this place me in a high risk situation?

ANSWER: Dear Karen

Yes this is a high risk situation and the hope is that a complete rest, no sex, no heavy lifting, no excercise , no household activities...etc will prevent the extension of the tear and allow its healing. Duration of rest depends on the size of the tear and therefore if you ob said 2 weeks rest, it should be 2 weeks rest.

I agree with a repeat scan after 2 weeks

Good Luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your very prompt response.  Can you please further explain just what is a yolk sac tear?

Answer
Dear karen

The yolk sac is something designed to provide the early embryo with nutrition till it grows to almost 12 weeks when the formed placenta takes care of this role and provide it with nutrition through the mother while the yolk sac becomes absorbed by the baby's body.

This is a very simplified definition for the yolk sac.