Embarking on the journey to conception can be overwhelming, especially when faced with a sea of fertility acronyms and complex terminology. Here’s a breakdown of commonly used terms and acronyms in plain language to guide you through the Trying To Conceive (TTC) process. If you encounter an unfamiliar term, don’t hesitate to drop us an email. We’re committed to supporting all our MakeAmom community members on their unique journeys.
Navigating Fertility Lingo
Artificial Insemination: The intentional introduction of sperm into the female reproductive tract, outside of sexual intercourse, to facilitate conception.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your BBT is your body temperature after at least 5 hours of sleep. It’s a tool for tracking your fertility cycle, offering insights into ovulation or pregnancy. Expect slight changes in BBT throughout your cycle.
Chemical Pregnancy: An early pregnancy loss occurring shortly after implantation, often indicated by heavy bleeding after a positive pregnancy test.
Cervix: The gateway from the vagina to the uterus, allowing the entry of semen and eventually the exit of the baby. Monitoring cervical changes is crucial when TTC.
Cervical Fluid/Mucus: The substance produced by the cervix, varying in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle. Observing changes in cervical mucus aids in TTC.
Cervical OS: The opening of the cervix, located between the vagina and the uterus.
Endometrium: The lining inside the uterus, shedding during menstruation, and preparing for embryo implantation.
Follicular Phase: The period from the start of your period to ovulation.
HCG: The hormone produced during pregnancy, measured by home pregnancy tests.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A test to detect blockages in a woman’s fallopian tubes, often performed before attempting pregnancy.
Intracervical Insemination (ICI): Placement of sperm at the cervical opening for conception without the need for sperm washing.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure where a fertility specialist places semen directly into the uterus, typically done by a doctor.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A fertility procedure involving fertilizing eggs outside the body and implanting embryos into the uterus.
Luteal Phase (LP): The time between ovulation and the onset of your period.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A hormone that rises before ovulation, detected by ovulation predictor kits.
Menstrual Cycle: The period from one period to the next, typically lasting 28 days, with ovulation occurring about a week after menstruation.
Progesterone: A key hormone in the menstrual cycle, preparing the uterus for a fertilized egg.
Cracking the Code: TTC Acronyms
Understanding TTC discussions involves decoding acronyms. Here’s a quick guide:
· AF: Aunt Flo, your period
· BBT: Basal body temperature
· BD: Baby dance (aka sexy time!)
· BFP: Big fat positive (pregnancy test)
· BFN: Big fat negative
· CM: Cervical mucus
· DPO: Days post ovulation
· HPT: Home pregnancy test
· IUI: Intrauterine Insemination
· IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
· TTC: Trying to conceive
· U/S: Ultrasound
· WTT: Waiting to try
Feel confident as you navigate the fertility journey armed with this glossary, and remember, you’re not alone on this path. Wishing you a healthy and joyful conception journey!