Navigating the world of fertility can be overwhelming due to the numerous acronyms, scientific terms, and jargon involved. To help you understand the terminology you might encounter while trying to conceive (TTC), we’ve compiled a list of frequently used terms and their meanings in straightforward language. If you don’t find a specific term you’re searching for, feel free to reach out to the community. We will continuously update this glossary to support all those on their journey to parenthood.
Common Fertility Terms
Artificial Insemination: This refers to the intentional placement of sperm into a female’s cervix or uterine cavity to facilitate conception without sexual intercourse.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your BBT is your temperature after a minimum of 5 hours of sleep, used to monitor your fertility cycle, indicating ovulation or pregnancy. Your BBT will fluctuate slightly throughout your cycle.
Chemical Pregnancy: This term describes an early pregnancy loss shortly after implantation. If you experience heavy bleeding soon after receiving a positive pregnancy test, this may indicate a chemical pregnancy.
Cervix: The cervix serves as the gateway to the uterus from the vagina, allowing semen to enter and later permitting childbirth. It undergoes various changes throughout your cycle, signaling whether you are ovulating or menstruating. Tracking these changes can be beneficial when trying to conceive. For guidance on how to find your cervix and monitor these changes, refer to our resource.
Cervical Fluid/Mucus: Also known as cervical mucus, this substance is produced throughout your cycle and varies in texture and color. Observing your cervical fluid can provide crucial insights when TTC.
Cervical OS: This is the opening of the cervix, which connects the vagina to the uterus.
Endometrium: The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus, which sheds during menstruation. This lining develops in preparation for a potential embryo implantation.
Follicular Phase: This phase spans from the first day of your period until ovulation.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG): A hormone produced during pregnancy that home pregnancy tests detect to determine if you are pregnant.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A test used to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes, which some people find leads to pregnancy shortly after the procedure. The test involves injecting dye through the cervix to visualize the fallopian tubes and uterus on an x-ray.
Intracervical Insemination (ICI): This method involves placing sperm at the cervical opening to facilitate conception without needing to wash the sperm.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This entails a fertility specialist directly placing washed sperm into the uterus using a catheter-like syringe, bypassing the cervix. This procedure should only be performed by a qualified medical professional to ensure safety.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure where eggs are fertilized outside the body in a petri dish and then implanted into the uterus. IVF typically involves multiple steps and hormone treatments over several months.
Luteal Phase (LP): The LP is the period between ovulation and the start of your next period, following the follicular phase.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): This hormone surges just before ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits (OPK) can measure LH levels to help identify when ovulation is imminent.
Menstrual Cycle: This cycle starts with the first day of your period and continues until the next period begins. A typical cycle lasts about 28 days, with ovulation occurring roughly 14 days after the first day of bleeding.
Progesterone: A vital hormone in the menstrual cycle and conception. After ovulation, progesterone is produced to prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels drop, signaling the body to shed the endometrium.
Common Fertility and TTC Acronyms
- AF: Aunt Flo, referring to your period
- AMH: Anti-Müllerian hormone
- BBT: Basal body temperature
- BC: Birth control or before children
- BD: Baby dance (sexual activity)
- BFP: Big fat positive (pregnancy test result)
- BFN: Big fat negative
- D&C: Dilation and curettage, a procedure to clear the uterus
- EDD: Estimated due date
- TTC: Trying to conceive
- TWW: Two-week wait
For more insights, consider joining the MakeAmom Sperm Donor Matching Group or exploring the unique offerings of MakeAmom, which provides the only reusable at-home insemination option. To understand the process of home insemination better, visit How It Works.
Additionally, check out our blog post on timing it right for intracervical insemination for more tips. For further information on fertility treatments, WebMD serves as a reliable source. Lastly, don’t miss our article on 10 Essential Tips for Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids, which is a valuable resource during your journey into parenthood.
To Summarize:
Understanding fertility terminology can help simplify the journey of trying to conceive. This glossary provides essential terms and acronyms to support you as you navigate your unique path to parenthood. For further assistance, consider engaging with the supportive resources available through MakeAmom and its community.