Infertility Acronyms

Ridiculously Long Compiled List of Infertility Acryonyms and Adoption Terminology

Infertility Terms

A-E

• 2WW = 2-Week Wait (from insemination to menstruation/pregnancy)
• 4WW = 4-Week Wait (from one insemination to the next insemination)
• 47XXY = Klinefelter’s Syndrome
• ACA = Anti-cardiolipin Antibodies
• ACTH = Adrenal Corticotropic Hormone
• AF = Aunt Flo (menstruation)
• AH, AZH = Assisted Hatching
• AHI = At-home Insemination
• AI = Artificial Insemination
• AI+ = Artificial Insemination with some “assistance” from the recipient (not common)
• AIH = Artificial Insemination from Husband
• ANA = Anti-nuclear Antibodies
• AO = Anovulation
• AOA, AVA = Anti-ovarian Antibody
• APA = Anti-phospholipid Antibodies
• APTT = Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
• ART = Assisted Reproductive Technology
• ASA = Anti-sperm Antibody
• ASRM = American Society of Reproductive Medicine
• ATA = Anti-thyroid Antibody
• AWOL = A Woman On Lupron
• B2 = Baby Two (mailing list)
• BA = Baby Aspirin
• BBT = Basal Body Temperature
• BCP = Birth Control Pills
• BD = Baby Dance (sex)
• BFN = Big Fat Negative (pregnancy test result)
• BFP = Big Fat Positive (pregnancy test result)
• BG = Blood Glucose
• BMS = Baby-making Sex
• BSE = Breast Self-Exam
• BT = Balanced Translocation
• BW, b/w = Bloodwork
• C# = Cycle Number
• CAD = Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet
• CAH = Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
• CASA = Computer-assisted Semen Analysis
• CB = Cycle Buddy CBAVD = Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens
• CCCT, CCT = Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (Clomid Challenge Test)
• CD = Cycle Day
• CD56+ = Natural Killer Cells
• CF = Cervical Fluid
• CM = Cervical Mucus
• CMV = Cytomegalovirus
• CNM = Certified Nurse Midwife
• COH = Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation
• COW = Curse of Womanhood (menstruation)
• CP = Cervical Position
• CVS = Chorionic Villae Sampling
• D&C = Dilation & Curettage
• D&E = Dilation & Evacuation
• DE = Donor Eggs
• DES = Diethylstilbestrol (a synthetic estrogen)
• DHEAS = Dihydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
• DI = Donor Insemination
• DIPI = Direct Intra-peritoneal Insemination
• DOST = Direct Oocyte-Sperm Transfer
• DPO = Days Post-Ovulation
• DPR = Days Post-Retrieval
• DPT = Days Post-Transfer
• DP3DT = Days Post 3-Day Transfer
• DP3DT = Days Post 5-Day Transfer
• Dx = Diagnosis
• E2 = Estradiol
• EB, EMB = Endometrial Biopsy
• EDD = Estimated Due Date
• ENDO = Endometriosis
• EPO = Evening Primrose Oil
• EPT = Early Pregnancy Test
• ET = Embryo Transfer
• ETF = Embryo Toxic Factor
• ETA = Embryo Toxicity Assay
• EW, EWCM = Egg-white Cervical Mucus

F-M

• FBG = Fasting Blood Glucose
• FET = Frozen Embryo Transfer
• FHR = Fetal Heart Rate
• FP = Follicular Phase
• FSH = Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• FTTA = Fertile Thoughts To All
• FV = Fertile Vibes
• FWW = 4-Week Wait (from one insemination to the next insemination)
• GD = Gestational Diabetes
• GIFT = Gamete Intra-fallopian Transfer
• GnRH = Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
• GP = General Practitioner
• GTT = Glucose Tolerance Test
• HbA1c = Glycosylated Hemoglobin (also called Glycohemoglobin)
• hCG, HCG = Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
• HCP = Health Care Practitioner
• HEPA = Hamster Egg Penetration Assay
• hMG, HMG = Human Menopausal Gonadotropin
• HPT = Home Pregnancy Test
• HRT = Hormone Replacement Therapy
• HSC = Hysteroscopy
• HSG = Hysterosalpingogram
• IBT = Immunobead Binding Test
• ICI = Intra-cervical Insemination
• ICSI = Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
• IF = Infertility
• IGTT = Insulin and Glucose Tolerance Test
• IM = Intra-muscular (WRT injections)
• IOR = Immature Oocyte Retrieval
• IR = Insulin Resistant
• ITI = Intra-tubal Insemination
• IUFD = Intra-uterine Fetal Demise
• IUGR = Intra-uterine Growth Retardation
• IUI = Intra-uterine Insemination
• IVC = Intra-vaginal Culture
• IVF = In Vitro Fertilization
• IVIg = Intravenous Immunoglobulin
• LAD = Leukocyte Antibody Detection Assay
• LAP = Laparoscopy
• LH = Luteinizing Hormone
• LIT = Leukocyte Immunization Therapy
• LMP = Last Menstrual Period (start date)
• LO = Love Olympics (sex)
• LP = Luteal Phase
• LPD = Luteal Phase Defect
• LSP = Low Sperm Count
• LUF, LUFS = Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome
• MAI = Miscarriage After Infertility (mail list)
• MC, m/c, misc. = Miscarriage
• MESA = Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
• MF = Male Factor
• MIFT = Micro Injection Fallopian Transfer

N-Z

• NEST = Non-surgical Embryonic Selective Thinning
• NI = Natural Insemination (ie sex)
• NK = Natural Killer Cells (CD56+)
• NORIF = Non-stimulated Oocyte Retrieval In (office) Fertilization
• NP = Nurse Practitioner
• NSA = Non-surgical Sperm Aspiration
• O, OV = Ovulation
• OB = Obstetrician
• OB/GYN = Obstetrician/Gynecologist
• OC = Oral Contraceptives
• OD = Ovulatory Dysfunction
• OHSS = Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
• OPK = Ovulation Predictor Kit
• OPT = Ovulation Predictor Test
• OTC = Over The Counter
• OW = Overweight
• P4 = Progesterone
• PA = Physician’s Assistant
• PAI-1 = Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1
• PCAO= Polycystic Appearing Ovaries
• PCO = Polycystic Ovaries
• PCOD = Polycystic Ovary Disease
• PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• PCP = Primary Care Physician
• PCT = Post Coital Test
• PESA = Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
• PG = Pregnant
• PGD = Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
• PI = “Partial” Insemination (The man enters the woman just before ejaculation. This is sometimes also referred to shortened or rapid intercourse. The idea behind it is to limit the duration of the actual physical contact to the minimum). Not common.
• PI = Primary Infertility
• PID = Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• PIO = Progesterone in Oil
• PLI = Paternal Leukocyte Immunization
• PMS = Pre-menstrual Syndrome
• PNM = Perinatal Mortality
• POC = Products of Conception
• POF = Premature Ovarian Failure
• PROM = Premature Rupture of Membranes
• PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• PZD = Partial Zona Dissection
• RE = Reproductive Endocrinologist
• R-FSH, R-hFSH = Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• RI = Reproductive Immunologist
• RIP = Reproductive Immunophynotype
• ROS = Reactive Oxygen Species
• RPL = Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
• RSA = Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
• Rx = Prescription
• SPA = Sperm Penetration Assay
• SA = Semen Analysis
• SART = Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology
• s/b, S/B = Stillbirth
• SCORIF = Stimulated Cycle Oocyte Retrieval In (office) Fertilization
• SHG, SonoHSG = Sonohysterogram
• SI = Secondary Infertility
• SIS = Saline Injection Sonogram
• SLE = Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• SMC = Single Mother by Choice
• SPA = Sperm Penetration Assay
• STD = Sexually Transmitted Disease
• SUZI = Sub-zonal Insertion
• T4 = Thyroxine
• TEBG = Testosterone-Estradiol Binding Globulin
• TESA = Testicular Sperm Aspiration
• TESE = Testicular Sperm Extraction
• TET = Tubal Embryo Transfer
• TL = Tubal Ligation
• TNF = Tumor Necrosis Factor
• TR = Tubal Reversal
• TRH = Thyroid Releasing Hormone
• TSH = Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
• TTC = Trying to Conceive
• TTCAR = Trying to Conceive after Reversal
• TUFT = Trans-uterine Fallopian Transfer
• TWW = Two Week Wait (from insemination to menstruation/pregnancy)
• Tx = Treatment
• TYB = Test Yolk Buffer (used to preserve the life of shipped sperm)
• TZD = Thiazolidinediones
• UR = Urologist
• US, u/s = Ultrasound
• UTI = Urinary Tract Infection
• V = Vasectomy
• VR = Vasectomy Reversal
• WBC = White Blood Cells
• WHR = Waist to Hip Ratio
• WNL = Within Normal Limits
• ZIFT = Zygote Intra-fallopian Transfer

Common Acronyms

AMAP = As Much As Possible

AFAIK = As Far As I Know

ASAP = As Soon As Possible

BB = Bulletin Board

BBL = Be Back Later

BBW = Big Beautiful Women

BTW = By The Way

DD = Dear Daughter, Darling Daughter

DH = Dear Husband, Darling Husband

DHAC = Don’t/Doesn’t Have A Clue

DITD = Down In The Dumps

DP = Dear Partner, Darling Partner

DS = Dear Son, Darling Son

DW = Dear Wife, Darling Wife

FAQ = Frequently Asked Question(s)

FWIW = For What It’s Worth

HTH = Hope This Helps

IIRC = If I Recall/Remember Correctly

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion, In My Honest Opinion

IMO = In My Opinion

IRC = Internet Relay Chat

LMK = Let Me Know

LOL = Laughing Out Loud (or Lots Of Luck)

MIL = Mother In-law (also FIL, SIL, BIL for the others)

NBD = No Big Deal

NG = Newsgroup

OT = Off Topic

OTOH = On The Other Hand

PITA = Pain In The Ass

POA = Plan Of Action

POV = Point Of View

PV = Positive Vibes

ROTFL = Rolling On The Floor Laughing

ROTFLOL = Rolling On The Floor Laughing Out Loud

ROTFLMAO = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A** Off

SO = Significant Other

TIA = Thanks In Advance

TTFN = Ta Ta For Now

TTYS = Talk To You Soon

TTYTT = To Tell You The Truth

WB = Welcome Back

WF = Warm Fuzzies

WRT = With Respect To

WWW = Wise Women of the Web

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary

 

The Adoption Glossary

Adoption.Assistance Programs (AAP): Federally funded state administered subsidy program for special needs children who might otherwise remain in longterm foster care.

Adoption Service Provider (ASP): A licensed agency or individual who is State certified to assist birth parents and adoptive parents with the placement of a child in an Independent Adoption. Adoption: The legal transfer of all parental rights and obligations from one person or couple to another person or couple.

Adoptive Parents: An individual or couple who have chosen to adopt and have received court approval.

Adoption Attorney: An attorney that specializes in adoption. Some attorneys will process the paperwork required for adoption only. Other attorneys will provide advice on how to locate a birthmother, how to talk to her on the phone, request medical history of the birthparents, get the birthmother legal representation and counseling, and provide in depth adoption related services.

Agency Assisted Adoption: An agency adoption where the agency will help the prospective adoptive parents with locating a birthmother, possibly answering the phone and providing a variety of services to the birthmother and the adoptive parents. Most agencies today provide this type of adoption for domestic infant adoption. If a birthmother approaches an agency, the birthmother can review prospective adoptive parents biographies. The prospective adoptive parents will do networking and advertising in an effort to locate a birthparent will the help of the agency.

Consent: Legal process through which a birth parent voluntarily agrees to make an adoption plan for their child with a specific family through an Independent Adoption.

Designated/ldentified Adoptions: Process in which birthparents choose the individual or couple who will adopt their child and designates the placement of the child while still having the benefits of an ` agency assisted adoption. Facilitator: An un-licensed organization or individual acting in behalf of adoptive parents to introduce birthmothers to prospective adoptive parent to create an adoption commitment between the parties. Facilitators usually find a suitable birthmother to agree upon an adoption, and may or may not help complete the adoption. They do not perform legal services, counseling or home studies. Laws very state to state about their practice. In many instances, their own life experience has brought facilitators into the adoption field and have proven to be a valuable asset.

Foster Parents: An individual or couple who has temporary care of a child, but has no legal rights in determining many aspects of a child’s life. Sometimes foster parents become adoptive parents. The goal of foster care is to return a child to their birth home unless the courts decide this is no longer in the child’s best interest.

Homestudy: A social investigation where a social worker interviews prospective adoptive parents concerning their background and their ability to raise a child. Often this is done in a series of interviews, with at least one interview in the home. It can also include information to help an individual or couple to prepare for adoption. Homestudies can become “outdated”. There is a time period, usually 18 months, before a homestudy needs to be updated.

ICPC: Interstate Compact for Placement of Children which monitors the movement of foster and adoptive children from state to state.

Identified Adoption: Adoptive parents and birthparents find each other first and then go to an agency or to an attorney to complete the adoption process.

Independent Adoption: An adoption that is not arranged by an agency is an independent adoption. Independent adoption is legal in most states, but not all states. With the advice of an attorney, a prospective adoptive parent becomes pre-certified for adoption, sets up a phone line in their home, does networking and advertising. The birthmother will contact the prospective adoptive parents. An adoption attorney will speak to the birthparent and help the birthparent find their own lawyer, and assist with the legal aspects of the adoption. International adoptions can also be independent adoptions.

International Adoption: The adopted child comes from another country. The countries with the most international adoptions are China, Russia, Korea, Romania, Guatemala, India, Vietnam, Colombia, Philippines, and Paraguay. Travel by the adoptive parents may or may not be required. International adoption can be done with an agency or independently. Approval must be obtained from both domestic and foreign governments.

Interstate Compact: The legal agreement between the states concerning a child living in one state and going to another state to be adopted. Adoption paperwork such as homestudies must be reviewed by the state the child is residing in before the child can leave the state for its new home. An attorney can file the paperwork.

Open Adoption: An adoption that has identifying information shared. This can be at the time the adoption takes place and/or while the child grows up. It can be any where from minimal information like a photo and letter being exchanged at the time of birth, to regular contact between birthparents and adoptive parents and child. Open adoption occur with Independent and Agency adoptions.

Open Records: Accessibility to own adoption records by each member of the triad. This includes access to identifying information.

Pre-certification: The legal process where prospective adoptive parents(s) submit to the court their: homestudy, references, child abuse clearance, fingerprints, medical status, employment verification and other documents for the court to review. The court then approves the prospective adoptive parents and issues a certificate that the person(s) can adopt a child. The certificate stays with the court. The is done for independent adoption. The paperwork is submitted by the attorney. The same paperwork is usually required by an agency adoption.

Special Needs: Refers to many categories of children, including those with physical, emotional, and medical disabilities, children over the ages of five, or those in foster care. Special Needs children can also refer to siblings that are trying to be placed together.

Termination of parental rights: This can be done as a voluntary process when birth parents consent to an adoption. Termination of parental rights can also be done against the will of the parents, if a state determines that it is in the best interest of the child. A termination of parental rights is a legal process and must be done before an adoption can be finalized.

Traditional Agency Adoption: An agency does all the work in locating a birthmother, counseling her and providing all the necessary help for adoption to take place. The birthmother may or may not pick the prospective adoptive parents from biographical resumes. The adoptive parents may or may not have contact with the birthparents.

Waiting Children: Another term for children with special needs, especially children who are in need homes to be adopted into. Usually the children are five years old or older.