Thursday, March 22, 2007

(In)Fertility Glossary

One of my dear friends back in MI has suggested a glossary for those of you not mired in fertility lingo every day of your lives - fair enough! I'm going to start it here, and we will add to it when we think of other things. Those of you who are familiar w/ the jive, feel free to comment and add more. (We don't know what lots of it means either!) Good idea, Kay!

  • AF = Aunt Flo, which of course means getting your period.
  • ART = Assisted Reproductive Therapy
  • BFN = Big F***ing Negative
  • BFP = Big F***ing Positive
  • CD1 = Cycle Day 1
  • Follicles = Eggs not yet released from ovary
  • Follies = Lingo for 'follicles'
  • FSH = Follicle Stimulating Hormone. This is the hormone responsible for growing the follicles during the follicular phase of a cycle.
  • IF = Infertile or Infertility
  • IVF = InvitroFertilization
  • IUI = inter uterine insemination, a catheter is inserted through the cervix into the uterus to deposit sperm. Supposedly this increases chances of conception - because the sperm has a much shorter journey.
  • Progesterone = hormone that spikes during luteal phase, or second half of a cycle (TWW). This hormone is responsible for all kinds of things, including sustaining an early pregnancy
  • TTC = Trying to Conceive
  • TWW = Two week wait, specifically the time between ovulation and waiting for the results.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you!! I can stop furrowing my brow as I try to figure out what the secret words are. Whew!
Kay

Anonymous said...

Great idea. I had one friend in particular who says she loves reading my blog but does not get a lot of the "medical jargon" I should direct her here!

I have one to add:

IUI - intern uterine insemination, a catheter is inserted through the cervix into the uterus to deposit sperm. Supposedly this increases chances of conception - because the sperm has a much shorter journey.

Anonymous said...

The glossary totally helps!

Anonymous said...

Oh, admit it SVL. You just love abbreviations and can't help yourself! ~Carolyn

Unknown said...

I admit - I love abbreviations. You've got me there, CAV!