IVF Lingo

Since our initial consultation, it's no surprise I've fallen head first down the IVF rabbit hole. I've immersed myself in facebook groups and been reading up a lot on the matter in hand. Most of it has baffled me as it seems like a completely different language! I've also been in touch with a couple of other ladies, Sarah & Vicky, who are cycling around the same time as me and they've been great at keeping my head above water and offering advise.

I've made up a list of the most commonly used terms and abbreviations which might help you understand what I'm talking about over the next few months. It's a lesson for me too.


2WW  Two Week Wait (after ET and before OTD)
6dp3dt  16 days past 3 day transfer
AF  Aunt Flo (period or menstrual cycle)
AFC  Antral Follicle Count
AH  Assisted Hatching
AMH  Anti-Müllerian Hormone (indicator of egg reserve)
BBT  Basal Body Temperature
BCP  Birth Control Pill
BD  Baby Dance (sexy time)
BFP/BFN  Big Fat Positive/Negative (result after POAS)
CD  Cycle Day
CM  Cervical Mucus (my personal favourite)
EC/ER  Egg Collection/Retrieval
ED  Egg Donor
ET  Embryo Transfer
FET  Frozen Embryo Transfer
FMU  First Morning Urine (most concentrated wee)
FRER  First Response Early Result (pregnancy test)
FSH  Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
HPT  Home Pregnancy Test
ICSI  Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IF  Infertility
IUI  Intrauterine Insemination
IVF  In Vitro Fertilisation
LH  Luteinising Hormone (triggers ovulation)
LP(D)  Luteal Phase (Defect)
MF  Male Factor (male IF)
(M)MC  (Missed) Miscarriage
OHSS  Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OPK  Ovulation Predictor Kit (another POAS)
OTD  Official Test Day
PCOS  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PG  Pregnant (if only)
POAS  Pee On A Stick
POF  Premature Ovarian Failure
PUPO  Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise (during the 2ww)
Stims  Stimulation Injections
TSH  Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TTC  Trying To Conceive
US  Ultrasound (new best friend)

So there you are, a little insight into the TTC online community!