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The ABC’s of Infertility

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Do you speak Infertility?

Having to go through the infertility journey is hard enough but having to learn a whole new language is maddening!  Not only do you have to learn how to cope in ways you never imagined you need to learn a whole new language of abbreviations that are constantly used.  Sometimes it can sound so foreign, that I thought it might be helpful to compile an alphabetical list to help a sista out. Let me know if I missed any and feel free to share.  

xoxo,

Caryn

 

The ABC’s of Infertility

 

A

 

ACA – Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody 

An immune disorder that can cause miscarriages and lack of implantation.

 

AF – Aunt Flo 

aka your period (the enemy – )

 

AH – Assisted Hatching

Procedure by which a small crack is made to the embryo that is believed to help the embryo implant in the uterus.

 

AI – Artificial Insemination

Pretty self explanatory…. Also see IUI

 

ACA – Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody 

ANA – Anti-Nuclear Antibodies

 

APA – Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies

 

These are all immune disorders that can cause miscarriages and lack of implantation.

 

ART – Assisted Reproductive Technology 

The umbrella word used to describe the medical procedures that are used to achieve pregnancy other than the old fashioned way.

 

ASA – Anti-Sperm Antibody

When semen cause an immune response either in the male of female and antibodies are produced.

 

ASRM – American Society of Reproductive Medicine 

Organization dedicated to the advancement of Reproductive Medicine.

B

 

BA – Baby Aspirin

A low dose aspirin sometimes used for certain clotting conditions.

 

BCP – Birth Control Pills

I’m quite certain you are familiar with these.  (Insert emoji)

BD – Baby Dance

What fertile couples do to get preggers.

 

BHCG – Beta HCG

The hormone that the embryo produces when it implants in the uterus.  This is the blood test that is done after the 2WW.

 

BFN – Big Fat Negative

It didn’t work…

 

BFP – Big Fat Positive

Lets celebrate!

 

B/W – Blood Work

Get ready for lots of it!

 

C

 

CD – Cycle Day

Cycle day 1 is your first day of AF.

 

COH – Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation

 

What happens when you take fertility drugs.

E

 

E2 – Estradiol

aka Estrogen.  Will be monitored during various stages of stimulation and after implantation.

 

ENDO – Endometriosis

A disorder whereby uterine tissue grows outside the uterus.  This can cause painful periods and can be a cause for IF.

 

ER – Egg Retrieval

When the eggs that you have stimulated are removed from your ovaries.

 

ET – Egg Transfer

When the embryo is transferred back into your uterus in hopes of it implanting.

 

F

 

FHR – Fetal Heart Rate

Can be heard around 7 weeks of pregnancy and right before being released from your RE.

 

FP – Follicular Phase

The period of you cycle where the follicles are growing.

 

Frostie – Frozen Embryo

When you have extra viable embryos that are not transferred you can freeze and store them for a later cycle.

 

FSH – Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Hormone that is injected to grow many eggs at one.  Brand names such as Follistim, Gonal-F and Bravelle.

 

G

 

GIFT – Gamete Intra-fallopian Transfer

When a gamete is placed directly into the fallopian tube.

 

H

 

HSG – Hysterosalpingography

A type of x-ray test that can show whether the fallopian tubes are open or closed.

 

I

 

ICI – Intracervial Insemination

A type of IUI where the sperm are injected onto the cervix.

 

ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

When there is an issue with the sperm the embryologists can take a single sperm and inject it into the egg in order to fertilize it.

 

IF – Infertile

Having a hard time getting pregnant doing the baby dance.

 

IM – Intramuscular Injections

Hurt like hell and are used for many shots during a cycle like Progesterone.  Injected directly into a muscle.

 

IUI – Intrauterine Insemination 

Procedure where the sperm are injected into the uterus.

 

IVF – In Vitro Fertilization

The process of having a test tube baby.

 

IVIG – Intravenous Immunoglobulin

An IV medication sometimes used to calm an immune response your body may have to pregnancy.

 

L

 

LIT – Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy 

A procedure whereby the dad to be’s white blood cells are injected into the mom to be to help her immune system prepare for pregnancy.

 

N

NK – Natural Killer Cells

A type of white blood cell that can cause implantation failure and miscarriage when the embryo is seen as a foreign body.

 

P

 

P4 – Progesterone

The hormone needed to help thicken the uterus for implantation.  Will be checked after retrieval and during pregnancy.

 

PAF/PANFERT – Pregnancy After Infertility

It happened yay!

 

PCOS – Polycistic Ovarian Disease

When a woman’s hormones are out of whack causing irregular periods and possible IF.

 

PCT – Post Coital Test

A test that measures the interaction of sperm and cervical mucus.

 

PG – Pregnant

You have a bun in the oven.

 

POAS – Pee on a Stick

What most couples get to do.

 

PGD – Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis

When the embryo is tested before implantation to ensure it’s a viable embryo.

PI – Primary Infertility

Infertility that occurs before you have had a live birth.

 

PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

When scar tissue forms on the woman’s reproductive organs and prevent sperm and egg meeting.

 

PIO – Progesterone in Oil

Injectable form of Progesterone that is typically mixed with peanut oil.

 

POC – Products of Conception

Medical term used to describe the tissue formed when an egg and sperm unite.

 

POF – Premature Ovarian Failure 

aka early menopause

 

PROM – Premature Rupture of Membranes 

When your water breaks earlier than expected.

 

R

 

RE – Reproductive Endocrinologist

A specialist who treats IF.

 

RI – Reproductive Immunologist

A specialist who treats IF as it relates to the immune systems interaction with the reproductive system.

 

R-hFSH – Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone

The name for the class of drugs used to stimulate the follicles.

 

RIP – Reproductive Immunophynotype

A test that looks at the immune cells response to pregnancy.  When elevated may explain RPL.

 

RPL – Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

When you keep miscarrying (insert emoji).

 

RSM – Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

aka miscarriage

 

S

 

SA – Semen Analysis

When a man’s swimmers are tested to ensure they can get the job done.

 

SART – Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology

Primary organization of professionals dedicated to ART in the U.S.

SI – Secondary Infertility

When IF occurs after having already achieved a natural pregnancy and birth.

 

SPA – Sperm Penetration Assay

A lab test that can predict the ability of a mans sperm to penetrate an egg.

 

SPAL – Subsequent Pregnancy After a Loss

Exactly what it sounds like.

 

S/S – Signs/Symptoms

Tell tale signs of pregnancy.

 

SubQ – Subcutaneous Injection

When an injection of medication is under the skin but does not go to the muscle.

 

T

 

TESA – Testicular Sperm Aspiration

A procedure by which sperm are collected directly from the testicles.

 

TET – Tubal Embryo Transfer 

When early embryos are transferred into the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.

 

TSH – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

A hormone that helps regulate how your body uses energy.  If the levels are either too high or too low can result in RPL.

TTC – Trying to Conceive

Trying to have a baby (emoji)

 

TWW or 2WW – 2 Week Wait 

This is the period of time after an IVF Transfer that you wait until your pregnancy test.  In my opinion the most torturous….

 

TX – Treatment

Medical recommendation from a doctor.

 

U

 

US – Ultrasound

Imaging that uses sound waves to see inside the body.

 

W

 

WNL – Within Normal Limits

When a test result is considered normal.

 

Z

 

ZIFT – Zygote Intra-fallopian Transfer

When a zygote is placed directly into the fallopian tubes

Caryn Rich

Caryn Rich

Is a fertility coach that helps women stuck in secondary infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and IVF failure make their next cycle the best.

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Caryn Rich Fertility Coach
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I help women stuck in secondary infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and IVF failure make their next cycle their best.

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