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
Americal 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.
TTC – Trying to Conceive
TX – Treatment
US – Ultrasound
UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
WAH – Work at Home
WAHP, WAHM, WAHD – Work at Home (Parent, Mom, Dad)
WBC – White Blood Cells
WM, WD – Working Mom, Working Dad
WNL – Within Normal Limits
X-AFP (Quad Screening) – Expanded Alpha-Protein Test
A prenatal test to determine the likelihood that a fetus is affected with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and certain types of birth defects.
YMMV – Your Mileage May Vary
Your experience may be different than the one being described.