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I’m sure I’m not alone when I talk about how unprepared I was for all that pregnancy throws at you. Sure, I figured there would be morning sickness and achy boobs after I got my big fat positive test, but other things were surprising…like the insane use of pregnancy acronyms, for example.
While the “gestational journey” is undoubtedly beautiful and amazing, it also comes with a huge learning curve for first-time pregnant folks.
I still recall hopping onto pregnancy and fertility forums for the first time and being shocked by the wide range of nicknames and abbreviations.
EDD, TWW, HPT, LMP – the list continues.
Now, sure, once we get the hang of what all these cute acronyms stand for, it’s a lovely way of communicating without having to constantly spell out words like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG.)
Figuring them all out, on the other hand…not so easy. If you’re overwhelmed by the barrage of “secret pregnancy codes,” you’re not alone.
Before you get too stressed, though, please take comfort that we’ve done the hard work for you. Take a look at this helpful list of the most common pregnancy acronyms you might come across!
Why Do Pregnancy Acronyms Exist in the First Place?
I know what you’re probably thinking – wouldn’t it just be easier to use the regular word for things instead of creating elaborate codes and abbreviations?
Possibly.
But then again, continually talking about basal body temperature, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or cervical position doesn’t feel natural either…right?
Pregnancy acronyms might seem confusing initially, but they allow online communities of expectant parents to talk more conversationally with each other. We no longer sound like we’re trying to write a doctoral thesis on the pregnancy process.
Simply put, pregnancy abbreviations are just easier and more casual.
Popular TTC Acronyms in the Fertility Community
Before the stork makes its big delivery and there’s officially a baby on the way, many of us will actively try to get pregnant. This stage is called “trying to conceive” or “TTC,” and it comes with its own set of acronyms and abbreviations.
Below, you’ll find a list of frequently used TTC and infertility acronyms:
- AF or Aunt Flo: Menstrual Cycle
- Baby Dance or BD: Sex
- Baby Dust: Wishes for Good Luck During a Fertility Cycle
- BBT: Basal Body Temperature
- BCP: Birth Control Pills
- BFN or BFP: Big Fat Negative or Positive Pregnant Test
- CD: Cycle Day
- CF or CM: Cervical Fluid or Cervical Mucus
- DE: Donor Eggs
- DTD: Doing the Deed
- E2: Estradiol
- Endo: Endometriosis
- ER: Egg Retrieval (during IVF)
- ET: Embryo Transfer (during IVF)
- FET: Frozen Embryo Transfer (during IVF)
- FF: Fertility Friend (Someone you connect with while trying to get pregnant.)
- FMU: First Morning Urine
- FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- HPT: Home Pregnancy Test
- HSG: Hysterosalpingogram
- ICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
- IUI: Intrauterine Insemination
- IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
- LSP: Low Sperm Count
- MC: Miscarriage
- MF: Male Factor Fertility Issues
- NPT: Negative Pregnancy Test
- OHSS: Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
- OPK or OPT: Ovulation Predictor Kit or Ovulation Predictor Test
- OV: Ovulation
- P4 or Prog: Progesterone
- PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- PI: Primary Infertility
- POAS: Pee on a Stick
- POI: Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- PUPO: Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise
- RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist
- RPL: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- SA: Semen Analysis
- SI: Secondary Infertility
- TWW or 2WW: Two Week Wait
Pregnancy Abbreviations You Need to Know
So your TTC stage is over, and there’s officially a baby on the way–yay! Now comes a new collection of pregnancy acronyms we must figure out. The following is a list of abbreviations regarding the early signs and stages of pregnancy:
- CB: Clearblue Pregnancy Test
- DPO: Days Past Ovulation
- DPT: Days Past Transfer
- DD: Due Date
- EDD: Estimated Due Date
- EFW: Estimated Fetal Weight
- FR: First Response
- GA: Gestational Age
- GTT: Glucose Tolerance Test
- HCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (the Pregnancy Hormone)
- LMP: Last Menstrual Period
- MS: Morning Sickness
- PPT: Positive Pregnancy Test
- PVN: Prenatal Vitamin
- OB: Obstetrician
- OB/GYN: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Reading Your Ultrasound Made Easy
After you’ve conquered all the acronyms for pregnancy, you’ll also want to know about those involved in the ultrasound process.
Let’s face it; the primary appeal of ultrasounds is the cute first photos of your baby! Most of us don’t even pay attention to the other information on the paper.
BUT, all those other stats and tidbits are just as vital as your little one’s picture! If you’ve ever wondered how to read an ultrasound photo, follow along to find out! There are a few typical acronyms on a pregnancy ultrasound:
- AC: Abdominal Circumference (The baby’s abdomen, not Mama’s!)
- AF: Amniotic Fluid
- BPD: Biparietal Diameter (Baby’s skull)
- CRL: Crown-Rump Length (A measurement that runs from the top of a Baby’s head to underneath their butt)
- EFW: Estimated Fetal Weight
- FHM: Fetal Heart Movements
- FL: Femur Length
- GS: Gestational Sac
- HC: Head Circumference
- LGA: Large for Gestational Age
- PWR: Placental-Weight Ratio (This averages placenta and fetal growth; placental weight divided by estimated birth weight)
- SGA: Small for Gestational Age
- TVS: Transvaginal Ultrasound
Language for the Last Trimester & Delivery Room
As you edge towards the end of pregnancy, you’ll start learning about a wide range of new topics. From cervical dilation to effacement, here are a few common acronyms to put in your soon-to-be mommy glossary of terms:
- CP: Cervical Position
- CS: Cesarean Section
- DD or DS: Dear Son or Dear Daughter
- DR: Delivery Room
- FH: Fundal Height (Distance between the top of Mama’s uterus and the pubic bone)
- FHR: Fetal Heart Rate
- LTCS: Low Transverse Cesarean Section
- PP: Postpartum
- PTL: Preterm Labor
- ROM: Rupture of Membranes (Water Breaking)
- SVD: Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery
- VB: Vaginal Birth
- VBAC: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section
Learn How to Talk Like a Pregnancy Expert
As you can see, pregnancy is a pretty involved process. For the most part, though, all you need to focus on is the excitement of becoming a new parent.
Don’t let the seemingly endless number of pregnancy-related abbreviations scare you, though!
Use them or don’t; as long as you and your baby stay healthy, that’s all you need to know. This list is just a helpful guide to understanding the gestational jargon you might encounter in your research or at the doctor’s office.
How many of these pregnancy acronyms were you already familiar with?
Kristen Bergeron is a freelance writer from Florida. In addition to writing, she is a wife, mother of two beautiful girls, Hadley and Scarlett, and a part-time photographer. After overcoming infertility and having two successful IVF cycles, she’s made it a personal goal to help educate men and women on the realities of fertility struggles. She is passionate about supporting fellow women who are trying to navigate the complicated world of conception, pregnancy, and learning to be the best mothers we can be.
