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Common TTC Abbreviations

As with all types of professions, hobbies, and activities, trying to conceive is rife with abbreviations that are totally meaningful if you are "in the know." However, not everyone is hip to the lingo and therefore I have gathered together a few terms you may need to know as you begin your TTC journey.

2ww: Two week wait

The two week wait is so named for the typical amount of time between ovulation and the time to take a pregnancy test. This can be the longest two weeks of a woman's life!

AF: Aunt Flo, a.k.a. your monthly period

Aunt Flo is a common euphemism for something most women don't typically enjoy, and is an easy way to talk about your period in "mixed company."

BBT: Basal body temperature

Taking your temperature daily allows you to track temperature patterns throughout her cycle that can give clues to fertility. There is more information on this in our Ovulation section!

BD: Baby dance

Another euphemism - this time for sex!

BFN: Big fat negative

Negative pregnancy test.

BFP: Big fat positive (pregnancy test)

Positive pregnancy test.

CD: Cycle day

Your cycle begins on the first day of your period, which in TTC-speak is CD 1.

CM: Cervical mucus

CM is a fertility sign - see more information on this in Signs of Ovulation.

CP: Cervical position

Another fertility sign - again, see more information on this in Signs of Ovulation.

DPIUI: Days past intrauterine insemination

IUI happens when the woman's menstrual cycle is closely observed and, just when an ovum is released, semen from a donor is placed in her uterus (through her cervix) via a small catheter.

DPO: Days past ovulation

This concerns the luteal phase, which is the latter half of your menstrual cycle. The average luteal phase is 14 days but this can vary widely! DPO is usually a countdown to either AF or the day you can POAS.

EDD: Estimated due date

Counting back three months from the first day of your last period and then adding a week will give you a "date" which you can not plan around at all, as you can deliver your baby anywhere from 37 weeks to 42 weeks (40 weeks exactly is your EDD). Click here to have us do the work for you.

EWCM: Egg white cervical mucus

The most precious, valuable and FERTILE mucus you will ever produce. The funny name refers to its consistency, which is slippery, stretchy, and exactly like raw egg whites. This is what you are looking for when you monitor your cervical mucus. BD + EWCM = BFP ... hopefully!

FF: Fertility Friend

Fertility Friend (www.fertilityfriend.com) is a free web-based BBT charting software system.

FMU: First morning urine

Your first morning urine is basically your first pee of the day after waking up. It is more concentrated and therefore has more hCG (as opposed to a more diluted sample from later in the day). Since hCG is what your pregnancy test is looking for, it makes sense to have more of it for testing.

FRER: First Response Early Result

This is the brand name of a particular pregnancy test. The box claims to detect hCG in urine as early as 4 to 5 days before your missed period.

FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone

FSH initiates follicular growth, and participates in stimulating ovulation - and as such, occurs in during the first half of your menstrual cycle.

hCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

hCG is a hormone produced in pregnancy that is made by the embryo soon after conception.

HPT: Home pregnancy test

HPT's are looking for hCG in urine, and are usually quite accurate on or after the first day of your missed period.

IC: Internet cheapie

Internet cheapies are the devil! No, really, they are extremely cheap ($1 each or cheaper!) home pregnancy test strips that you can find only on various internet sites or eBay ... but I strongly recommend against getting any. They are prone to evap lines BEFORE the time limit is up. Not good!

LH: Lutenizing hormone

LH is what "surges" just prior to ovulation, and what ovulation predictor kits (OPK's) detect.

LMP: Last menstrual period

The first day of your last menstrual period is the date your doctor will go by to establish your EDD, or "due date."

LP: Luteal phase

The period of time from the day after ovulation through the remainder your cycle.

POAS: Pee on a stick

In other words, taking a pregnancy test (or ovulation prediction test).

SHOW: Soft, high, open, wet

SHOW refers to a combination of two fertility signs - cervical position (soft, high, and open) and cervical mucus (wet, which generally means EWCM or its precursor). To read more about checking for these fertility signs, see Signs of Ovulation.

TCOYF: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler

Considered the bible of natural family planning (for both preventing and encouraging pregnancy).

TTC: Trying to conceive

I hope this is self-explanatory!