If you’re new to the infertility world you may be confused about some of the terms that you hear. If you jump into online communities and support groups you may wonder what language all these people are speaking. It’s the language of fertility and it’s spoken widely by members of the world of infertility and the surrogacy community. Like all unique groups, this one has its own language full of acronyms, interesting terms, and insider jargon. It can be a bit confusing when you first start researching, but before you know it, these terms will be second nature for you. Eventually you too will be fluent! Use this section to learn about fertility terms, short forms, and acronyms.
2WW: Two week wait
12dp3dt: 12 days past 3 day transfer
12dp5dt: 12 days past 5 day transfer
AF: Aunt Flo = period arriving / bleeding starting
AH: Assisted Hatching
AI: Artificial insemination, also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Altruistic surrogacy: altruistic surrogacy is where, unlike commercial surrogacy, a woman is not paid or compensated for being surrogate. Altruistic surrogates are still reimbursed for expenses.
ART: Assisted Reproductive Technologies
AZH: Assisted Hatching
BBT: Basal Body Temperature
BCP: Birth Control Pill
Beta: betaHCG or beta human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone elevated during pregnancy that is measured and turns pregnancy tests positive. In this context “beta” is the blood test in the RE office to see if the embryo transfer took leading to an on-going pregnancy
BH: Braxton hicks
BFP/BFN: Big Fat Positive/Negative
Belly Buddy: An endearing term that a surrogate uses for the baby she is carrying
CB: Cycle Buddy
CD: Cycle Day
CCCT: Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (Clomid Challenge)
CF: Cervical Fluid
CM: Cervical Mucus
CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife
COH: Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation
Commercial surrogacy: Commercial surrogacy is where a woman is paid (or compensated) for being a surrogate. This is in contrast to altruistic surrogacy which is unpaid
CVS: Chorionic Villus Sampling
D&C: Dilation & Curettage
D&E: Dilation & Evacuation
DE: Donor Egg
DET: Double embryo transfer
DH/DW/DS/DD: Dear Husband/Wife/Son/Daughter
DPO: Days Post Ovulation
DPR: Days Post-Retrieval
DP3DT: Days Post 3-Day Transfer
DP5DT: Days Post 5-Day Transfer
DPT: Days Post Transfer
Dx: Diagnosis
E2: Estradiol
EBM : Expressed Breast milk
ED: Egg Donor
EDD: Estimated Due Date
EPT: Early Pregnancy Test
ER: Egg Retrieval
ET: Embryo transfer
FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer
FGS: Former Gestational Surrogate
FHR: Fetal Heart Rate
FIF: Former Intended Father
FIM: Former Intended Mother
FIP: Former Intended Parents
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
GC: Gestational Carrier
GD: Gestational Diabetes
GS: Gestational Surrogate
GTT: Glucose Tolerance Test
hCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HI: Home insemination
HOM: Higher order multiples
HPT: Home Pregnancy Test
HSC: Hysteroscopy
HSG: Hysterosalpingogram
ICSI: Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IF: Intended Father
IM: Intended Mother
IM: Intramuscular injection
Indy/Independent- Undergoing surrogacy without contracting with an agency
Insems: Inseminations
IP: Intended Parent
IUI: Intrauterine Insemination, also known as artificial insemination
IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
LH: Luteinizing Hormone
LMP :Last Menstrual Period
LP : Luteal Phase
LPD : Luteal Phase Defect
M/C: Miscarriage
MFI: Male Factor Infertility
MFM: maternal fetal medicine specialist also known as a perinatologist is an OBGYN who specializes in high risk pregnancies.
O: Ovulation
OB: Obstetrician
OB/GYN: Obstetrician/Gynecologist
OHSS: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit
OPT: Ovulation Predictor Test
P4: Progesterone
PBO: Pre-Birth Order
PCP: Primary Care Physician
PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PG: Pregnant
PGD: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
PGS: Preimplantation Genetic Screening
PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIO: Progesterone in Oil
PIF: Potential Intended Father
PIM: Potential Intended Mother
PIP: Potential Intended Parent
PMS: Pre-menstrual Syndrome
POAS: Pee on a stick – home pregnancy test
POF: Premature Ovarian Failure
PROM: Premature Rupture of membranes
PTL: Preterm Labor
PUPO: Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise
RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist and infertility specialist
REI: Reproductive Endocrinologist and infertility specialist
Rx: Prescription
SA: Semen Analysis
SART:Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
SCH: Sub-Chorionic Hemorrhage/Hematoma
SET: Single Embryo Transfer
SHG: Sonohysterogram
SM :Surrogate Mom
Splitter: an embryo that splits in two creating an identical twin pregnancy
Sono: ultrasound
STD: Short term disability
STD: Sexually transmitted disease, also known as sexually transmitted infection
STI: Sexually transmitted infection, also known as sexually transmitted disease
SubQ: subcutaneous injection
Surro: surrogate
TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine
TR : Tubal Reversal
TS: Traditional Surrogate
TTC: Trying To Conceive
Vag Rockets: Progesterone capsules
VBAC: Vaginal birth after cesarean
VBA2C: Vaginal birth after 2 cesareans
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