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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

List of TTC Abbreviations

I noticed on www.thenest.com TTTC board there were several girls curious what all the abbrevations stood for, so here is the most complete list I could come across. (forgive me as I can't remember what site I borrowed it from)

Here it goes:


-
Minus (Negative Test Result)
+
Plus (Positive Test Result)
2WW
Two-Week Wait (having ovulated, now waiting to see if the egg gets fertilized!)
47XXY
Klinefelter's Syndrome
A
ACA
Anti-Cardiolopin Antibodies
ACTH
Adrenal Corticotropic Hormone
Addy
E-Mail Address
AF
Aunt Flo (Aunt Flow) (your menstrual period)
AFAIK
As Far as I Know
AFK
Away From Keyboard
AFNW
Aunt Flo Not Wanted
AH
Assisted Hatching
AHI
At-Home Insemination
AI
Artificial Insemination
AID
Artificial Insemination by Donor
AIH
Artificial Insemination From Husband
AKA
Also Known As
AM, a.m.
Ante-Meridian (Before Midday; Morning)
AMAP
As Much as Possible
ANA
Anti-Nuclear Antibodies
AO
Anovulation
AOA
Anti-Ovarian Antibody
APA
Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies
APTT
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
ART
Assisted Reproductive Therapy/Technology
ASA
Anti-Sperm Antibody
ASAP
As Soon as Possible
ASRM
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
ATA
Anti-Thyroid Antibody
AVA
Anti-Ovarian Antibody
AWOL
A Woman on Lupron; Absent Without Leave
AZH
Assisted Hatching

B

BA
Baby Aspirin
Baby Dust
"Fairy Dust" to Give Good Luck for Getting Pregnant
BAK
Back at Keyboard
BB
Bulletin Board
BBL
Be Back Later
BBS, BB's
Boobs (Breasts); Be Back Soon
BBT
Basal Body Temperature
BC
Birth Control
b/c
Because
BCP
Birth Control Pills
BD
Baby Dancing (sexual intercourse when fertile)
BF, B/F
Breastfeed, Breastfeeding; Best Friend; Boyfriend
BFD
Big F*****g Deal
BFN
Big Fat Negative (or Big F*****g Negative) - Negative Test Result
BFP
Big Fat Positive (or Big F*****g Positive) - Positive Test Result
BG
Blood Glucose
BH
Braxton-Hicks Contractions
Big O
Orgasm
BIL
Brother-in-Law
BMS
Baby Making Sex (sexual intercourse when fertile)
BP
Blood Pressure
BRB
Be Right Back
BSE
Breast Self-Exam
BT
Basal Temperature, Balanced Translocation
BTDT
Been There, Done That
BTW
By the Way
BW, B/W
Blood Work

C

Cervix -or- Centigrade, Celsius
C#
Cycle Number (how many menstrual cycles have you been at it)
CAH
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
CASA
Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis
CB
Cycle Buddy (on the same cycle day or days past ovulation as you)
CBAVD
Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens
CCCT, CCT
Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test, Clomid Challenge Test
CD
Cycle Day
CD56+
Natural Killer Cells (NK)
CF
Cervical Fluid
CM
Cervical Mucus
CMV
Cytomegalovirus
CNM
Certified Nurse Midwife
CO
Castor Oil
COH
Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation
COW
Curse of Womanhood (Menstruation)
CP
Cervical Position
CTX
Contraction
Curse, The
Menstrual Periods
CVS
Chorionic Villae Sampling
D

DB
Dear Boyfriend, Dear Brother
D&C
Dilation & Curretage
DD
Dear/Darling Daughter
DDC
Due Date Club
DE
Donor Eggs
D&E
Dilation & Evacuation
DES
Diethylstilbestrol
DF
Dear/Darling Fiancee
DH
Dear/Darling Husband
DHAC
Doesn't/Don't Have a Clue
DHEAS
Dihydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
DI
Donor Insemination
DIPI
Direct Intra-Peritoneal Insemination
DITD
Down in the Dumps
DN
Dear/Darling Niece -or- Dear Nephew
DOST
Direct Oocyte-Sperm Transfer
DP
Dear/Darling Partner
DP3DT
Days Past (Post) 3-Day Transfer
DP5DT
Days Past (Post) 5-Day Transfer
DPO
Days Past (Post) Ovulation
DPR
Days Past (Post) Retrieval
DPT
Days Past (Post) Transfer
Dr
Doctor
DS
Dear/Darling Son, Dear/Darling Sister
DW
Dear/Darling Wife
Dx
Diagnosis

E

E2
Estradiol
EB
Endometrial Biopsy
EDD
Estimated Due Date
EFR
I believe this is a brand of home pregnancy test
Eggwhite, Egg White
Egg white cervical mucus
EMB
Endometrial Biopsy
Endo
Endocrinologist, Endometriosis
EPO
Evening Primrose Oil
EPT
Early Pregnancy Test
ET
Embryo Transfer
ETA
Embryo Toxicity Assay, Estimated Time of Arrival
ETF
Embryo Toxic Factor
EW, EWCM
Egg White Cervical Mucus

F

Fahrenheit
FASIAR
Follicle Aspiration, Sperm Injection & Assisted Rupture
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
FBG
Fasting Blood Glucose
FET
Frozen Embryo Transfer
FF
Fertility Friend (one of the more popular online charting sites)
FHR
Fetal Heart Rate
FIL
Father-in-Law
Foof
A slang word for the outer (visible) area of the vagina
FP
Follicular Phase
FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FTTA
Fertile Thoughts to All
FUR
False Unicorn Root (Note: In large doses, may be a cardiac poison.)
FV
Fertile Vibes
FWIW
For What It's Worth

G

GD
Gestational Diabetes
GIFT
Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer
GIL
Grandparents-in-Law
GnRH
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
Go Potty
Urinate
GP
General Practitioner
GTT
Glucose Tolerance Test

H

HbA1c
Glycosylated Hemoglobin (Glycohemoglobin)
HcG, HCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCP
Health Care Practitioner
HEPA
Hamster Egg Penetration Assay
H&H
Happy & Healthy
hMG, HMG
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin
HPT
Home Pregnancy Test
HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy
HS
Home School, Home Schooling
HSC
Hysteroscopy
HSG
Hysterosalpingogram
HTH
Hope This Helps
Hx
History

I

IBT
Immunobead Binding Test
ICI
Intra-Cervical Insemination
ICSI
Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IF
Infertility
IGTT
Insulin & Glucose Tolerance Test
IIRC
If I Recall/Remember Correctly
IM
Intra-Muscular
IMHO
In My Humble Opinion, In My Honest Opinion
IMO
In My Opinion
IMNSHO
In My Not So Humble Opinion
INCIID
International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
IOR
Immature Oocyte Retrieval
IPS
Imaginary Pregnancy Symptoms (psychosomatic aches & pains)
IR
Insulin Resistant
IRC
Internet Relay Chat
IRL
In Real Life
ITA
I Totally Agree
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
IYKWIM
If You Know What I Mean

J

JMO
Just My Opinion

K

KWIM
Know What I Mean

L

L
On left side
LAD
Leukocyte Antibody Detection Assay
LAP
Laparoscopy
LH
Luteinizing Hormone
LIT
Leukocyte Immunization Therapy
LM
Licensed Midwife, Lay Midwife
LMAO
Laughing My Ass Off
LMARSEO
Laughing My Arse Off
LMFAO
Laughing Fat My Ass Off
LMK
Let Me Know
LMP
Last Menstrual Period (Cycle Day 1)
LO
Love Olympics (sexual intercourse)
LOL
Laughing Out Loud; Lots of Luck
LP
Luteal Phase
LPD
Luteal Phase Defect
LSH
Low, Soft & Hard (Cervical Position)
LSP
Low Sperm Count
LUF, LUFS
Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome

M

More Text (in the body of the message)
MC or m/c
Miscarriage
MESA
Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
MF
Male Factor
MIFT
Micro Injection Fallopian Transfer
MIL
Mother-in-Law
-
Minus (Negative Test Result)
MMR
Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
MOO
My Own Opinion
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MS, M/S
Morning Sickness
MW
Midwife

N

Napisan
An antibacterial, non-chlorine bleach powder found in Australia
N.B.
Nota Bene (Note Well)
NBD
No Big Deal
NEST
Non-Surgical Embryonic Selective Thinning
NG
Newsgroup
Nips
Nipples
NK
Natural Killer Cells (CD56+)
NM
Nursing Mom/Mother
NORIF
Non-Stimulated Oocyte Retrieval In-Office Fertilization
NP, N/P
Nurse-Practitioner; No Problem
NSA
Non-Surgical Sperm Aspiration
N/T, NT
No Text (in the body of the message)

O

O
Ovulate, Ovulation
O'ing
Ovulating
O, Big
Orgasm
OB
Obstetrician
OB/GYN
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
OC
Oral Contraceptives
OD
Ovulatory Dysfunction
OHSS
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OIC
Oh, I See
OJ
Orange Juice
OM
Oh, my!
OMG
Oh My God!, Oh My Goodness!
OPK
Ovulation Predictor Kit
OPT
Ovulation Predictor Test
OT, O/T
Off-Topic (not on the subject of the forum or message)
OTBS
On the Bright Side
OTC
Over-the-Counter
OTOH
On the Other Hand
OV
Ovary, Ovulation
OW
Overweight

P

P
Pee (Urine -or- Urinate)
P4
Progesterone
PA
Physician's Assistant
PAI-1
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1
PC
Post-Coital
PCO, PCOD
Polycystic Ovary Disease � see FAQ
PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome � see FAQ
PCP
Primary Care Physician
PCT
Post-Coital Test
PESA
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
PG
Pregnant, Pregnancy
PGD
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
PI
Primary Infertility
Pics
Pictures (Photographs)
PID
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PIH
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
PIO
Progesterone in Oil
PIT
Pitocin
PITA
Pain in the Ass
PLI
Paternal Leukocyte Immunization
+
Plus (Positive Test Result)
PM, p.m.
Post-Meridian (After Midday; Afternoon)
PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome
PNM
Perinatal Mortality
PNV
Prenatal Vitamin
POA
Plan of Action
POAS
Pee on a Stick (take a home pregnancy test)
POC
Products of Conception
POF
Premature Ovarian Failure
Potty
Bathroom (Toilet)
POV
Point of View
PROM
Premature Rupture of Membranes
PTL
Pre-Term Labor
PV
Positive Vibes (good thoughts & wishes)
Px
Prescription
PZD
Partial Zona Dissection


R

R
On right side
Rabbit
A slang word for the outer (visible) area of the vagina
RE
Reproductive Endocrinologist
R-FSH, R-hFSH
Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone
RI
Reproductive Immunologist
RIP
Reproductive Immunophynotype
ROFL
Rolling on Floor Laughing
ROFLMAO, ROFLMFAO
Rolling on Floor Laughing My (Fat) Ass Off
ROFLMBO, ROFLMFBO
Rolling on Floor Laughing My (Fat) Butt/Behind Off
ROFLOL
Rolling on Floor Laughing Out Loud
ROM
Rupture of Membranes
ROS
Reactive Oxygen Species
ROTFL
Rolling on the Floor Laughing
ROTFLOL
Rolling on the Floor, Laughing Out Loud
ROTFLMAO
Rolling on the Floor, Laughing My Ass Off
RPL
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
RRL
Red Raspberry Leaf
RSA
Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
Rx
Prescription

S

S
Sticky (Cervical Mucus)
SA
Semen Analysis
SAHD
Stay-at-Home Dad
SAHM
Stay-at-Home Mom/Mother
SAHP
Stay-at-Home Parent
SART
Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology
SB, S/B
Stillbirth
SCORIF
Stimulated Cycle Oocyte Retrieval In-Office Fertilization
SHG
Sonohysterogram
SI
Secondary Infertility
SIL
Sister-in-Law
SLE
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Snail Mail
Postal Address
SO
Significant Other (husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend)
SonoHSG
Sonohysterogram
SPA
Sperm Penetration Assay
STD
Sexually Transmitted Disease
SUZI
Sub-Zonal Insertion

T

T4
Thyroxine
TCOYF
Taking Charge of Your Fertility (a book about TTC by Toni Weschler); also one of the more popular online charting sites
TEBG
Testosterone-Estradiol Binding Globulin
Temp
Temperature
TESA
Testicular Sperm Aspiration
TESE
Testicular Sperm Extraction
TET
Tubal Embryo Transfer
THX
Thanks
TIA
Thanks in Advance
TL
Tubal Ligation
TMI
Too Much Information
TNF
Tumor Necrosis Factor
TORCH
Toxoplasmosis, Other, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus & Herpes Test
TR
Tubal Reversal
TRH
Thyroid-Releasing Hormone
TSH
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
TTC
Trying to Conceive
TTCAR
Trying to Conceive After Reversal
TTFN
Ta-Ta for Now!
TTYL
Talk to You Later
TTYS
Talk to You Soon
TTYT
Talk to You Tomorrow
TTYTT
To Tell You the Truth
TUFT
Trans-Uterine Fallopian Transfer
2WW
Two-Week Wait (having ovulated, now waiting to see if the egg gets fertilized!)
Tx
Treatment
TY
Thank You
TYVM
Thank You Very Much
TZD
Thiazolidinediones

U

UR
Urologist
US, U/S
Ultrasound (see Sonogram)
UTI
Urinary Tract Infection

V

V
Vasectomy
VBAC
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
Vent
To release steam; to bitch & complain!
VR
Vasectomy Reversal

W

W
Week or Weeks
WAH
Work at Home
WAHD
Work-at-Home Dad
WAHM
Work-at-Home Mom/Mother
WAHP
Work-at-Home Parent
WB
Welcome Back
WBC
White Blood Cells
WF
Warm Fuzzies
wk, wks
Week, Weeks
WNL
Within Normal Limits
Woobies
Slang word for breasts
WRT
With Respect To
WTG
Way to Go!

X

Y

YW
You're Welcome
Z

ZIFT
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Songs to Inspire....Songs to Comfort




I wanted to share this song list, so generously contributed by lnle (from the TTTC board on http://www.thenest.com/ ).

There are some great songs for when we are feeling down and sad about dealing with IF as well as some happy songs that give us hope as well.


So a BIG Thanks to lnle for her contribution!!


If anyone has any songs they would like to add to the list, please let me know and I'll be glad to add them!

Sad/Bitter Songs

**No one said it would be easy - Sheryl Crow**
Strong Enough - Sheryl Crow (to honor our husbands, who have to deal with us and IF)
**Hole in My Life - The Police
**So Hard - Dixie Chicks
**I Would Die for That – Kellie Coffey
**Waiting (is the hardest part) - Tom Petty--
Wait - Sarah McLachlan
--This Woman's Work - Kate Bush
--That’s the Way it is – Celine Dion
--Slipped Away - Avril Lavigne
**Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
**Everybody Hurts – REM
--Bring On the Rain - Jo Dee Messina
--Fix You - Coldplay


Happy/Hopeful songs**

Tomorrow - from Annie**
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley--
Here Comes the Sun - Beatles
--Laughed Until We Cried - Jason Aldean
--I Know You're Out There Somewhere - The Moody Blues--
Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush--
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
**I Will Survive - Glora Gaynor
**Strength, Courage & Wisdom - India.Arie--
Don't Dream it's Over - Crowded House
**I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty
**We Are the Champions – Queen
**All Star – Smash Mouth
**Let it Be – Beatles
--Feels Like Today - Rascal Flatts
--I hope - Dixie Chicks
--The Scientist - Coldplay
I Shall Believe" - Sheryl Crow
The Promise" - Tracy Chapman

Friday, November 7, 2008

Light a Candle



For those of you who may believe, or have faith in it, I would like to link to a site where you can light a "Virtual Candle" and say a prayer. Your candle will stay lit for 48 hours. I have found this site very useful many times, when I needed to confirm my faith, and was looking for some guidance. I encourage you to visit this site when you might need to do the same.

Infertility's Common Thread

I borrowed this from the Stirup Queen's blog, to promote awareness:
The story of the common thread:
For anyone who has experienced infertility or who is currently experiencing infertility. For anyone who has suffered through pregnancy loss. For those who have conceived naturally, utilized treatments, adopted, used third-party reproduction, or chose to live child-free: a movement.It all began when Paz lamented that there should be a secret handshake for those who have experienced or are currently experiencing infertility. She was finally pregnant after multiple miscarriages and she wanted infertile women to know when looking at her pregnant belly that she was one of them still--in heart and mind. She was open to questions and to passing along any information she had obtained along the way.This led to a lengthy discussion about a signal we could give one another as well as a tangible object that would invite questions and subsequently discussion about infertility. The conversation jumped from idea to idea--a pomegranate-shaped charm, a Livestrong-esque bracelet--until it finally settled on a simple thread.With the idea being that it was an item that was easy to obtain no matter where you lived. It posed a minimal cost. It could be ornamented or braided any way the wearer chose. It could be sent through the mail. It was simple. It was discreet. We picked the embroidery floss #814 because it was the colour of pomegranates. Which was one of the fertility symbols considered along the way.Royalyne stepped forward and got the ball rolling with a write up that we tweaked until it became this statement:Pomegranates, a longstanding symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count, luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the inside, are the same from person to person. Infertility creates frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to retreat into silence.In addition, the seeds represent the multitude of ways one can build their family: natural conception, treatments, adoption, third-party reproduction, or even choosing to live child-free.The pomegranate thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through A.R.T., families created through adoption, or couples trying to conceive during infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fertility Prayer to Receive the Gift of a Baby

Almighty Creator, hear this fertility prayer
and the wishes of my heart.
You know my deep desire for a child --
a little one to love and to hold, to care for, to cherish.
Grant that my body may conceive and give birth
to a beautiful, healthy baby in Your holy image.
Guide me in all my choices so that this conception,
my pregnancy and my baby's birth are in line with Your will.
Heavenly Father and Holy Mother,
hear this prayer of my heart,
mind and spirit.Amen!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Welcome to the Sisterhood!

I decided to start this blog as a place for those of us suffering from Infertility to come and support, vent, express ourselves and most of all, to know we are not alone!

I have found great support over the past couple of years on a TTTC board (trouble trying to conceive) board on www.thenest.com as I've gone through my own personal journey trying to get and stay pregnant, and that board is full of amazingly strong women who have endured more struggles, pain and angst than anyone should have to on their quest to have the one thing that would complete their life--- a baby.

Be sure to check back often, as there will be lots of exciting things happening here in the days and weeks to come!

If you have any ideas on things we can do to make this blog more helpful, please feel free to email me at sheworescarletbegonias@hotmail.com . If you have anything you'd like to share with others, please email me as well, and I'd be glad to post it on the blog (personal stories or struggles, sucess stories, words of encouragement, a poem, a letter.........anything!!)