Glossary Of Surrogacy Terms

There are many commonly used abbreviations in the surrogacy world, but what do they all mean?

Two Week Wait
The two week wait is the period between transfer, and your first pregnancy test date
2WWTwo Week Wait
Aunt Flo
Referring to your menstrual cycle
AFAunt Flo
Artificial Insemination
A fertility treatment where sperm is introduced into a woman's reproductive system through methods other than sexual intercourse.
AIArtificial Insemination
Assisted Reproduction Therapy
Medical techniques or procedures used to help achieve pregnancy, including IVF, IUI, and others.
ARTAssisted Reproduction Therapy
Assisted Hatching
A technique used in IVF where a small hole is made in the outer shell (zona pellucida) of the embryo to assist in the implantation process.
AZH or AHAssisted Hatching
Basal Body Temperature
The body's resting temperature, measured in the morning before any activity, which can be used to track ovulation and monitor fertility.
BBTBasal Body Temperature
Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy
BCPBirth Control Pills
Blood Test for Pregnancy
A blood test that measures the level of hCG (pregnancy hormone) to confirm pregnancy.
BETABlood Test for Pregnancy
Big Fat Positive
A positive result on a pregnancy test, indicating pregnancy. Found on HPTs and BETAs
BFPBig Fat Positive
Big Fat Negative
A negative result on a pregnancy test, indicating no pregnancy. Found in HPTi and BETAs
BFNBig Fat Negative
Body Mass Index
A numerical value calculated from a person's height and weight, used to assess body fat and overall health.
BMIBody Mass Index
Bloodwork
Medical testing of blood samples to assess hormone levels, and various other metrics
B/WBloodwork
Cycle Buddy
A person going through a similar fertility treatment cycle, providing support and companionship.
CBCycle Buddy
Cycle Day
The numbering of days in a menstrual cycle, with the first day of menstruation being CD1.
CDCycle Day
Cervical Mucus
The fluid produced by the cervix that changes in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle, influencing fertility.
CMCervical Mucus
Contractions
The tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscles during labor.
CTXContractions
Dilation & Curettage
A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the uterus, often used after a miscarriage.
D & CDilation & Curettage
Dilation & Evacuation
A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the uterus, typically used in cases of fetal anomalies.
D & EDilation & Evacuation
Donor Egg/Donor Embryo
The eggs or embryos from a donor.
DEDonor Egg/Donor Embryo
Days Post Ovulation
The number of days that have passed since ovulation.
DPODays Post Ovulation
Days Post Retrieval
The number of days that have passed since egg retrieval.
DPRDays Post Retrieval
Days Post 3-Day Transfer
The number of days that have passed since a 3-day embryo transfer in IVF.
DP3DTDays Post 3-Day Transfer
Days Post 5-Day Transfer
The number of days that have passed since a 5-day embryo transfer in IVF.
DP5DTDays Post 5-Day Transfer
Days Post Transfer
The number of days that have passed since embryo transfer.
DPTDays Post Transfer
Estrogen
Hormone that helps grow the uterine lining
E2Estrogen
Egg Donor/Donation
The process of using eggs from a donor in fertility treatment.
EDEgg Donor/Donation
Estimated Due Date
The approximate date when a pregnancy is expected to reach full term.
EDDEstimated Due Date
Early Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test designed to detect pregnancy in the early stages, or a test taken before the two week wait
EPTEarly Pregnancy Test
Embryo Transfer
The process of placing embryos into the uterus during IVF.
ETEmbryo Transfer
Frozen Embryo Transfer
The transfer of previously frozen embryos into the uterus.
FETFrozen Embryo Transfer
Former Gestational Surrogate
Someone who has previously acted as a gestational surrogate.
FGSFormer Gestational Surrogate
Fetal Heart Rate
The heart rate of a developing fetus
FHRFetal Heart Rate
Former Intended Father
A person who was previously identified as an intended father in a surrogacy arrangement.
FIFFormer Intended Father
Former Intended Mother
A person who was previously identified as an intended mother in a surrogacy arrangement.
FIMFormer Intended Mother
Father In Law
The father of one's spouse.
FILFather In Law
Former Intended Parents
The individuals or partners who were previously identified as the intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement.
FIPFormer Intended Parents
First Response, Early Detection or First Response, Early Result
A brand of pregnancy tests known for early detection of pregnancy.
FRED or FRERFirst Response, Early Detection or First Response, Early Result
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
A hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and stimulates the development of eggs in the ovaries.
FSHFollicle Stimulating Hormone
Former Surrogate Mother
A woman who has previously acted as a surrogate mother
FSMFormer Surrogate Mother
Former Traditional Surrogate
A woman who has previously acted as a traditional surrogate, using her own eggs in the surrogacy process.
FTSFormer Traditional Surrogate
Gestational Carrier
A woman who carries and gives birth to a child for others, using assisted reproductive technology.
GCGestational Carrier
Gestational Diabetes
A form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.
GDGestational Diabetes
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
A fertility treatment where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body and then placed directly into the fallopian tubes.
GIFTGamete Intrafallopian Transfer
Gestational Surrogate
A woman who carries and gives birth to a child for others, using assisted reproductive technology, without a genetic connection to the child.
GSGestational Surrogate
Glucose Tolerance Test
A test used to diagnose gestational diabetes.
GTTGlucose Tolerance Test
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
A hormone produced during pregnancy that is detected in pregnancy tests.
hCGHuman Chorionic Gonadotropin
Home Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test that can be taken at home, using urine
HPTHome Pregnancy Test
Hysteroscopy
A medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the uterus.
HSCHysteroscopy
Hysterosalpingogram
A radiologic procedure used to assess the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.
HSGHysterosalpingogram
Intra-cervical Insemination
A form of artificial insemination where sperm is placed directly into the cervix.
ICIIntra-cervical Insemination
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
A technique used in IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
ICSIIntracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Intended Father
An individual who intends to become a legal parent of a child born through surrogacy.
IFIntended Father
Intended Mother
An individual who intends to become a legal parent of a child born through surrogacy.
IMIntended Mother
Independent
Working without an agency in the surrogacy process.
IndyIndependent
Inteneded Parent/Parents
The person or persons who intend to become the legal parents of a child born through surrogacy.
IPInteneded Parent/Parents
In-Vitro Fertilization
A fertility treatment where eggs are fertilized outside the body and then implanted into the uterus.
IVFIn-Vitro Fertilization
Intrauterine Insemination
A fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into the uterus.
IUIIntrauterine Insemination
Lutenizing Hormone
A hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation
LHLutenizing Hormone
Last Menstrual Period
The start date of your last period
LMPLast Menstrual Period
Luteal Phase
The phase of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the start of menstruation.
LPLuteal Phase
Miscarriage
The loss of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb
M/CMiscarriage
Male Factor Infertility
Infertility caused by issues related to male reproductive function.
MFIMale Factor Infertility
Morning Sickness
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, often occurring in the morning.
M/SMorning Sickness
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from the ovary.
OOvulation
Obststrician/Gynecologist
A medical specialist who focuses on women's reproductive health.
OB/GYNObststrician/Gynecologist
Ovulation Predictor Kit
A kit used to predict when ovulation is likely to occur.
OPKOvulation Predictor Kit
Ovulation Predictor Test
A test used to predict when ovulation is likely to occur.
OPTOvulation Predictor Test
Progesterone
A hormone that helps maintain pregnancy.
P4Progesterone
Pee On A Stick
Slang term referring to taking a home pregnancy test
POASPee On A Stick
Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome
A hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.
PCOSPoly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome
Poly-Cystic Ovarian Disease
An older term for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
PCODPoly-Cystic Ovarian Disease
Potential Egg Donor
A person who may become an egg donor in a surrogacy arrangement.
PEDPotential Egg Donor
Pregnant
Referring to the state of being with child.
PGPregnant
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
A procedure used during IVF to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before implantation.
PGDPre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Potential Gestational Surrogate
A person who may become a gestational surrogate in a surrogacy arrangement.
PGSPotential Gestational Surrogate
Progesterone In Oil
A form of progesterone often used in fertility treatments.
PIOProgesterone In Oil
Potential Intended Parent
A person who may become an intended parent in a surrogacy arrangement.
PIPPotential Intended Parent
Potential Intended Father
A person who may become an intended father in a surrogacy arrangement.
PIFPotential Intended Father
Potential Intended Mother
A person who may become an intended mother in a surrogacy arrangement.
PIMPotential Intended Mother
Pre-menstrual Syndrome
A set of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the days before menstruation.
PMSPre-menstrual Syndrome
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
A rare type of heart disease that occurs during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.
PPCMPeripartum Cardiomyopathy
Potential Surrogate Mother
A person who may become a surrogate mother in a surrogacy arrangement.
PSMPotential Surrogate Mother
Preterm Labor
The onset of labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
PTLPreterm Labor
Potential Traditional Surrogate
A person who may become a traditional surrogate in a surrogacy arrangement
PTSPotential Traditional Surrogate
Prescription
A written order for a medication or treatment.
RxPrescription
Retrieval
The process of collecting eggs from the ovaries in IVF.
ERRetrieval
Sperm/Semen Analysis
A test used to evaluate the quality and quantity of sperm.
SASperm/Semen Analysis
Sperm Donor
A person who donates sperm for use in fertility treatments.
SDSperm Donor
Surrogate Mother
A woman who carries and gives birth to a child for others, using assisted reproductive technology.
SMSurrogate Mother
Sexually Transmitted Disease
An infection transmitted through sexual contact.
STDSexually Transmitted Disease
Ovarian stimulant
Drugs used in IVF to encourage the development of multiple follicles in the ovaries.
StimsOvarian stimulant
Traditional Surrogate
A woman who carries and gives birth to a child for others, using her own eggs in the surrogacy process.
TSTraditional Surrogate
Trying To Conceive
The process of actively trying to become pregnant.
TTCTrying To Conceive
Ultrasound
A medical imaging technique used to visualize internal structures in the body.
U/SUltrasound
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
A fertility treatment where fertilized eggs are placed into the fallopian tubes.
ZIFTZygote Intrafallopian Transfer

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