AMH: Anti-mullerian hormone is a substance produced by granulosa cells in ovarian follicles. AMH levels are thought to reflect the size of ovarian reserve or remaining egg supply.

ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology

Aspiration: Removal of fluid and cells via suction through a needle.

Assisted Hatching (AH): Placing a small opening in the surrounding shell of an embryo. This provides the embryo extra support to break out of its shell and extending itself to implant in the uterus. Embryologist usually perform this function prior to the IVF embryo transfer.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): ART are fertility therapies, such as IVF, ICSI, donor egg cycles, pre-genetic genetic diagnosis (PGD), to name a few, that are used to employ manipulations of the sperm and the egg in the lab in order to institute pregnancy.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Temperature that is taken first thing in the morning. It rises and falls, due to hormone levels during one’s menstrual cycle.

BCP: Birth Control Pills

Beta HCG Test: Blood test that measures the levels of HCG during early pregnancy. BFN: Big Fat Negative

BFP: Big Fat Positive

Blastocyst: An embryo that has two different cell components and a fluid cavity. Blastocyst culture and 5-day embryo transfer allows the selection of the best embryos to transfer.

Blighted Ovum (egg): A fertilized egg that implants in the uterus, however it does not properly develop.

Bravelle: A type of medication used to stimulate follicle maturation and for multiple follicular development in women who can produce as well as release follicles.

Cervix: Canal located above the vagina at the lower part of the uterus.

Chemical Pregnancy: A positive pregnancy test with low levels of the pregnancy hormones (beta HCG) for ultrasound verification of pregnancy.

Clinical Pregnancy: Pregnancy confirmed via fetal heartbeat identified by ultrasound.

Clomid: A non-steroidal fertility medicine. It causes the pituitary gland to release hormones needed to stimulate ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary).

Cryopreservation: Controlled freezing, as well as storage of sperm, embryos, and eggs (oocytes).

Cyanotic: Presentation of bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes due to not enough oxygen in the blood.

Cycle: A round of fertility treatments that take about a month to complete.

DE: Donor Eggs

Donor Egg Cycle: Use of donated eggs from a known or anonymous donor. The eggs harvested via an IVF cycle performed on a donor are fertilized with sperm and are later transferred into the intended parent.

Hold On To Hope

Donor Sperm (DS): Sperm donated by men.

Dilation and curettage (D&C): Procedures performed by doctors to remove tissue from inside the uterus.

Ectopic Pregnancy: When the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes. This is also known as a tubal pregnancy.

Egg Retrieval (ER): An IVF procedure where eggs are harvested via a minimally invasive procedure. Usually done under light anesthesia, the process usually takes about 30 minutes.

Embryo: The term that describes the early stages of fetal growth during the second to ninth week of pregnancy.

Embryo Donation: The giving or donation of embryos after one couple’s in vitro fertilization to either another person or a couple for implantation or research, without compensation.

Embryo Transfer: The step in the process of assisted reproduction where the embryos are placed in the uterus with the purpose of establishing pregnancy.

Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue found outside the uterus.

Estradiol: Female sex hormone produces by the ovaries, adrenal gland, and placenta during pregnancy.

Fallopian Tubes: The tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. An egg is released via the tubes during ovulation where it waits to be fertilized by the sperm.

Fertilization: The joining of the egg and sperm necessary for pregnancy.

Fibroid: A benign tumor made of tissues and muscle cells found in the uterine wall.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): A hormone from the pituitary gland that stimulates ovarian follicles to grow.

Gonal F-shot: Synthetic version of the natural sex hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophic (HCG) Test: The quantitative human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG) blood test measures the level of HCG hormone in the blood or urine. HCG is made by the placenta. It is used to detect pregnancy.

Hysteriosalpingogram (HSG): A special dye is injected into the uterus to observe the uterus and fallopian tubes during an x-ray exam.

Hysterectomy: Partial or total removal of the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes that can lead to one being sterile.

Infertility: Defined as not being able to conceive or get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex.

Implantation: A fertilized egg begins to embed in the uterus lining where it starts to develop as an embryo.

Intralipids: Fat emulsion of lipid for human intravenous use and sometimes for couples with immune issues preparing to undergo infertility treatments.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG): A therapy with antibody, immunoglobulin taken from the blood of screened plasma donors that is given intravenously to treat a host of diseases.

Male Factor Infertility: Infertility due to male health issues or anatomic concerns.

Ovary: Female sex organs that produce eggs and the female hormones, both estrogen and progesterone.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Hormonal disturbance connected to infrequent ovulation. Symptoms may include weight gain, menstrual issues, infertility, hair/skin problems, and more.

Portfolio: A detailed profile of your family containing pictures, description of your home, lifestyle, likes, plan for the baby care (stay at home, etc.). Gives the birth family a glimpse and visual snapshot of you before making contact for potential adoption.

Primary Infertility: Refers to a couple who is unable to get pregnant after at least one year of unprotected sex or birth control methods.

Progesterone: Ovary-produced hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy post-ovulation.

Provera: Medication often used to treat menstrual problems.

Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE): Trained in obstetrics and gynecology, these doctors are board-certified in reproductive endocrinology.

Retrieval: Technique used in IVF to remove eggs from the ovary of the female.

Sedimentation rate (SED rate): It is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube within an hour.

Secondary Infertility: Inability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term, following the birth of one or more biological children.

Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART): The regulatory organization for the Society for Reproductive Medicine. Works with the CDC to publicly post-fertility rates for all IVF centers in the U.S.

Synthetic Hormones: Medications containing one or more female hormones, usually estrogen and the synthetic form of progesterone.

Testicular/Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (TESA): Sperm is extracted from the testes, male reproductive glands, or epididymis with a needle.

Transabdominal Cerclage (TAC): A cerclage is placed to prevent the cervix from opening.

Two-Week Wait (TWW): The days between your pregnancy attempt or transfer and the day you get your blood test.

Ultrasound: Also called a sonogram, ultra-sound waves are used to monitor pregnancy and detect any abnormalities of the internal body parts.

Unexplained Infertility: When doctors cannot find a reason for infertility with the male or female after a full infertility workup. Unicornuate Uterus: A uterus with a single horn and banana shape.

Vasectomy: Permanent sterilization of a man that prevents the release of sperm in the semen.