Acronyms used in Infertility and Surrogacy

Every profession has their own special list of acronyms that they use every day. Surrogacy and infertility is no exception! This list is dedicated to our profession’s special blend of alphabet soup.

Now you can confidently nod knowingly when we ramble on that “we’ve got FX for the 2WW” or that the “OB wants GS on MAT LV now.” You know you’re one of the cool kids when you high five your fav’ GC with an early H&H9 because their HPT POAS looks like a BFP — gotta wait for that OB confirmation, but always sending those ELV!

We’ve added all the ones we can think of, but there may be more. HTH, YMMV.

2WW – Two Week Wait

The waiting period between the transfer and the pregnancy test

AF – Aunt Flo

Slang for menstrual period

ART – Assisted Reproductive Technology

A technology used to achieve pregnancy

ASA:

Anti-sperm Antibody

ASRM – American Society of Reproductive Medicine

Mission Statement: ASRM is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of reproductive medicine. The Society accomplishes its mission through the pursuit of excellence in education and research and through advocacy on behalf of patients, physicians, and affiliated health care providers. The Society is committed to facilitating and sponsoring educational activities for the lay public and continuing medical education activities for professionals who are engaged in the practice of and research in reproductive medicine.

Beta

HCG Pregnancy Test

BCP – Birth Control Pills

Oral Contraceptives

BFN – Big Fat Negative

Slang for a negative pregnancy test

BFP – Big Fat Positive

Slang for a positive pregnancy test

BW – Blood Work

Blood work

CB – Cycle Buddy

Women on the same menstrual or fertility cycle

CD – Cycle Day

Day your menstrual cycle starts

CF

Cystic Fibrosis

CMV

Cytomegalovirus

CP – Cervical Position

Your CP helps your doctor determine how best to perform the embryo transfer

CVS

Chorionic Villus Sampling

D&C – Dilation and Curettage

A procedure where the cervix is dilated and tissue is removed from inside your uterus

D&E – Dilation and Evacuation

A procedure where the cervix is dilated and the uterus is surgically evacuated

DE – Donor Egg

A human egg cell provided by an egg donor

DD, DH, DS, DW – Darling/Dear

DD- Darling/Dear Daughter

DH- Darling/Dear Husband

DS- Darling/Dear Son

DW- Darling/Dear Wife

DPO- Day Past Ovulation

DPR – Day Past Retrieval

DP3DT – Days Post 3 Day Transfer

DP5DT – Days Post 5 Day Transfer

DPT – Days Post Transfer

DX – Diagnosis

E2 – Estradiol

A female sex horomone that is the predominent estrogen throughout reproductive years

EB/EMB – Endometrial Biopsy

A procedure where a small sample of the lining of the uterus is taken and tested

ED – Egg Donor/Donation

When a woman donates eggs for assisted reproduction or biomedical research

EDD – Estimated Due Date

The day labor is expected to begin

ELV – Easy Labor Vibes

Well wishes for an easy labor

EML – Extended Maternity Leave

ENDO – Endometriosis

A disorder where tissue that typically grows within the uterus, grows on the outside

EPT – Early pregnancy Test

ET – Embryo Transfer

EWCM – Egg White Cervical Mucus

The most fertile of the CM

FAM – Family Awareness Method

Tracking your menstrual cycle to determine the days you can get pregnant

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

FBG – Fasting Blood Glucose

Measuring your glucose level after fasting for at least 8 hours

FET – Frozen Embryo Transfer

FHR – Fetal Heart Rate

FIP, FIM, FIF – Former Intended (Parent, Mother, Father)

These acronyms indicate that person(s) who are trying to the parent (FIP), mother (FIM), or father (FIF). See Intended Parent.

FMU – First Morning Urine

It is recommended to use this for home pregnancy test (HPT) as it contains the highest pregnancy hormone

FP – Follicular Phase

The timeframe from cycle day 1 until ovulation occurs

FRER- First Response Early Result

A brand of home pregnancy test (HPT)

FSH – Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

This hormone stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in the ovary before the release of an egg from one follicle at ovulation

FX – Fingers Crossed 🤞

Fingers crossed is a hand gesture commonly used to wish someone luck

GC – Gestational Carrier

A woman who volunteers to carry a pregnancy for a couple who cannot

GD – Gestational Diabetes

GS – Gestational Surrogate

A woman who volunteers to carry a pregnancy for a couple who cannot

GTC – Going to Conceive

GTT – Glucose Tolerance Test

Measures your body’s response to sugar

H&H9 – Happy and Healthy 9 Months

Congratulations for a successful pregnancy and well wishes to for the mother and baby to carry to full term of 9 months

HCG – Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

HCG is a protein-based hormone produced during pregnancy that tells a woman’s body that it’s pregnant. HCG helps maintain the production of important hormones like progesterone and estrogen, which are essential for the development of the embryo and fetus

HGB – Hemoglobin

The iron containing oxygen transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells

HOM – High Order Multiples

Multiple pregnancies with 3 or more fetuses

HPT – Home Pregnancy Test

HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT, PMHT), is a form of hormone therapy used to treat symptoms associated with female menopause

HSC – Hysteroscopy

A procedure that is done using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus

HSG – Hysterosalpingogram

This is an imaging test that is used to examine the cavity of the uterus and Fallopian tubes. In a hysterosalpingogram, dye (called contrast material) is injected through a tube inserted through the vaginal into the uterus.

HTH – Hope That Helps

HX – History

ICI – Intracervical Insemination

An artificial insemination procedure that involves placing sperm directly into a woman’s cervix to improve the chances of pregnancy

ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

In the ICSI process, a tiny needle, called a micropipette, is used to inject a single sperm into the center of the egg.

IP, IM, IF – Intended Parent, Intended Mother, Intended Father

Intended Parents are people who are unable to have a biological child of their own through natural or in vitro processes.

IM Injections

Intramuscular injections

Indy – Independent

A surrogacy journey completed without the aid of an agency.

Insems – Artificial Insemination

ITI – Intratubal Insemination

A more invasive procedure where sperm is placed directly into both of the fallopian tubes.

ISA – Independent Surrogacy Arrangement

IUI – Intrauterine Insemination

An artificial insemination procedure that involves placing sperm directly into a woman’s uterus to improve the chances of pregnancy.

IVF – In Vitro Fertilization

During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab.

IVF/ET

In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

LAP – Laparoscopy

A surgery that uses a thin, lighted tube put through a cut (incision) in the belly to look at the abdominal organs or the female pelvic organs.

L&D – Labor and Delivery

LMP – Last Menstrual Period

LP – Luteal Phase

The latter phase of the menstrual cycle.

LPD – Luteal Phase Defect

A disruption in a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle.

LSP – Low Sperm Count

MAT LV – Maternity Leave

MC – Miscarriage

Spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the 20th week, typically before the 12th week,

MF/MFI – Male Factor Infertility

Often occurs due to low sperm count or production of abnormal sperm.

MMR – Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine

MO – Months Old

MS – Morning Sickness

MW – Midwife

NFP – Natural Family Planning

Tracking your menstrual cycle to determine the days you can get pregnant.

NP – Nurse Practitioner

Advanced practice registered nurses.

NST – Non Stress Test

A test that monitors the babies heart rate and movement along with your contractions.

O – Ovulation

When a mature egg is released for fertilization.

O’ing – Ovulating

OB or OBGYN – Obstetrician/Gynecologist

A doctor that specializes in women’s reproductive health.

OTC – Over the Counter

Medications that can be purchased without a prescription

P4/Prog – Progesterone

PA – Physician’s Assistant

PBO – Pre Birth Order

The court order that predetermines parentage of a child born through surrogacy.

PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the edges caused by a hormonal disorder.

PCP – Primary Care Physician

PED – Pediatrician

The medical doctor that manages the health of children from birth to age 21.

PG – Pregnant

PGD – Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

The testing of the embryos before transfer to check for abnormalities.

PI – Primary Infertility

Couples that have not gotten pregnant after one year of unprotected copulation.

PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

An infection of the female reproductive organs.

PIP, PIM, PIF – Potential Intended (Parent, Mother, Father)

Intended Parent(s) who have not yet engaged in a surrogacy contract. See Intended Parent.

PIO- Progesterone in OiL

An injectable form of progesterone which is an essential pregnancy hormone.

PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome

The psychological and emotional symptoms of a woman’s period.

POAS – Pee On A Stick

To take a home pregnancy test.

PPD – Postpartum Depression

Depression that occurs after childbirth.

PROM – Premature Rupture of Membranes

Rupture or breakage of the amniotic sac more than 1 hour before the onset of labor.

PTC – Preterm Labor

Labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy.

RE – Reproductive Endocrinologist

A surgical subspecialty of OB’s that are trained in reproductive medicine and hormone function in regards to reproduction and infertility.

RPL – Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Two or more miscarriages before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

RSP – Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

Disease separate from infertility that is defined by two or more failed pregnancies.

RX – Prescription

SA – Semen Analysis

SAAF – Stay Away Aunt Flo

SAHD – Stay At Home Dad

SAHM – Stay At Home Mom

SCH – Subchorionic Hematoma/ Subchorionic Hemorrhage

A pooling of blood between the membrane surrounding the embryo and uterine wall; the most common cause of first trimester bleeding.

SD – Sperm Donor

A male that donates sperm for the purpose of impregnating a woman that is not their partner.

SET – Single Embryo Transfer

The transfer of a single embryo.

SHG/SonoHSG – Sonohysterogram

A saline solution ultrasound.

SHOW – Soft High Open Wet

Condition of cervix during ovulation.

SI – Secondary Infertility

The inability to become or carry to term a pregnancy after a biological child is born with no reproductive assistance.

SO – Significant Other

STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease

SubQ – Subcutaneous Injection

A shot given in the fat layer between the skin and muscle.

SW – Social Worker

TS – Traditional Surrogacy

A traditional surrogate is a woman who gets artificially inseminated with the intended father’s sperm. She then carries the baby and delivers it for the Intended Parents.

T4 – Thyroxine

Your thyroid produces a hormone called thyroxine, which is known as T4. This hormone plays a role in several of your body’s functions, including growth and metabolism.

TL – Tubal Ligation

TSH – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. A TSH test is a blood test that measures this hormone. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located near your throat. Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy.