DH, SO, BD, OMG! What does TTC mean? What are all these acronyms flying around the community of aspiring parents-to-be?
Fertility is not something you think about much until you decide to have a baby. And with an estimated baby being added to American Society every 17 seconds, it appears people have been doing a lot more than just “thinking” about it!
But unless your pregnancy happens without planning for it, you will most likely become very educated and aware of your own fertility, and all the moving parts (no pun intended) that need to align in order for you to conceive, and carry a baby to full term.
Whether you are just starting out trying to conceive, or are part of the 7.5 million women who struggle with fertility issues, you will most likely wind up on an online support group where people share their tips, experiences and knowledge.
You’ll soon discover that there are hundreds of acronyms used on these forums. Here is a list of the most commonly used ones;
AI: Artificial Insemination
AF: Your period, aka “Aunt Flo”
AO: Anovulatory, meaning no ovulation
ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology
BA: Baby aspirin
BCP: Birth control pills
BD: Sex, aka “Baby Dance”
BFN or BFP: Big Fat Negative, Big Fat Positive
CP: Cervical position
CF or CM: Cervical fluid, or cervical mucus
DD, DS, DH, DP: Darling daughter, darling son, darling husband, darling partner
DPO: Days past ovulation
EDD: Estimated due date
EPT: Early pregnancy test
ENDO: Endometriosis
EWCM: Egg-white cervical mucus
FMU: First morning urine
FM: Fertility monitor
FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone
FTTA: Fertile thoughts to all
hCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin
HTP: Home pregnancy test
IF: Infertile, or infertility
IUI: Intrauterine insemination
IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
LMP: Last menstrual period
LSC: Low sperm count
MC: Miscarriage
MS: Morning sickness
OV: Ovulation
OPK/OPT: Ovulation prediction kit/test
PG: Pregnant
PNV: Prenatal vitamin
RE/RI: Reproductive endocrinologist/immunologist
SA: Semen Analysis
SI: Secondary infertility
TWW: Two week wait
TCOYF: Taking charge of your fertility
TTC: Trying to conceive
U/S: Ultrasound
ZIFT: Zygote intra-fallopian transfer
With Knowledge Comes Power
Your journey to fertility and childbirth can be one of the most fulfilling, or - unfortunately for some - the most challenging experiences of your life.
As is true with all things, education will empower you to make informed decisions and take control of what you can along the way. At the very least, it will give you a true appreciation for the miracle of life.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler is an eye-opening, instructional guide to figure out when your body is most likely to conceive. Get your copy here.
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