The first time you step into the world of solo motherhood by choice, it can feel like everyone is speaking a different language. AMH, IUI, TWW, BFP, RE... the acronyms alone can be overwhelming.
This glossary is your reference guide. Bookmark it and come back whenever you encounter a term that doesn't make sense.
Fertility and Medical Terms
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone): A blood test that estimates your ovarian reserve (how many eggs you have left). Normal range is roughly 1.0 to 3.0 ng/mL for reproductive-age women. Can be tested on any day of your cycle. Learn more about AMH.
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): A hormone that stimulates egg development in the ovaries. Tested on cycle day 3. Elevated FSH (above 10 mIU/mL) may suggest diminished ovarian reserve.
AFC (Antral Follicle Count): An ultrasound count of the small follicles visible in your ovaries. Used alongside AMH to assess ovarian reserve.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): A procedure where washed sperm is placed directly into your uterus around ovulation. Less invasive and less expensive than IVF. Success rate: roughly 10 to 20% per cycle depending on age. Compare IUI and IVF.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Eggs are retrieved from your ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and the resulting embryo is transferred to your uterus. Higher success rates but more invasive and expensive than IUI.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A single sperm is injected directly into an egg during IVF. Often used with frozen donor sperm or when sperm quality is a concern.
PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing): Testing embryos before transfer. PGT-A screens for chromosomal abnormalities. PGT-M tests for specific genetic diseases. PGT-SR tests for structural rearrangements.
FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer): Transfer of a previously frozen embryo. Now accounts for the majority of IVF transfers in the U.S. due to improved vitrification technology.
Vitrification: An ultra-rapid freezing technique for eggs and embryos with 90 to 95% survival rates after thawing. A major advance over older slow-freezing methods. Read about egg freezing.
Trigger Shot: An injection of hCG or GnRH agonist given to mature eggs roughly 36 hours before retrieval.
Stims (Stimulation Medications): Injectable hormones (like Gonal-F, Follistim, Menopur) used during IVF to stimulate multiple eggs to develop simultaneously.
RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist): A physician specializing in fertility who has completed OB/GYN residency plus a 3-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. This is the doctor who manages your fertility treatment.
OB/GYN (Obstetrician/Gynecologist): A doctor specializing in women's reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. Once pregnant, you'll likely transition care from your RE to an OB/GYN.
HSG (Hysterosalpingogram): An X-ray procedure using dye to check whether your fallopian tubes are open. Standard if you're considering IUI.
ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis): A biopsy test to determine the optimal timing for embryo transfer.
SIS / SHG (Saline Infusion Sonogram / Sonohysterogram): An ultrasound using saline to get a detailed image of your uterine cavity.
Cycle and Testing Terms
CD (Cycle Day): The day of your menstrual cycle, with CD1 being the first day of full menstrual flow.
TWW (Two-Week Wait): The roughly 14-day period between ovulation (or embryo transfer) and when you can take a pregnancy test. Known for being anxiety-inducing.
DPO (Days Past Ovulation): Used to track where you are in the TWW. "I'm 10 DPO" means 10 days past ovulation.
DP5DT (Days Past 5-Day Transfer): Used after a day-5 embryo transfer to count days until testing.
Beta (hCG blood test): A quantitative blood test measuring pregnancy hormone levels. The definitive early pregnancy confirmation, usually done 9 to 14 days after transfer.
BFP (Big Fat Positive): Community shorthand for a positive pregnancy test.
BFN (Big Fat Negative): Community shorthand for a negative pregnancy test.
Donor and Family Terms
SMBC / SMC (Single Mother by Choice): A woman who deliberately chooses to become a mother without a partner. "SMBC" emphasizes the "by choice" aspect.
Thinker: Term used in the SMC community for a woman who is considering solo motherhood but hasn't yet begun trying.
Donor-Conceived: A person conceived using donated sperm, eggs, or embryos. The preferred term over "donor child."
Known Donor (KD): A sperm donor personally known to the recipient, as opposed to a bank donor. Compare known and anonymous donors.
Open-ID Donor / Identity-Release Donor: A bank donor who agrees to have identifying information released to the donor-conceived person at age 18.
DSR (Donor Sibling Registry): An organization facilitating connections between donor-conceived individuals and their half-siblings or donors. Over 80,000 members. Learn about donor siblings.
Diblings: Informal term for donor siblings (children conceived from the same donor).
Washed Sperm: Sperm processed to remove seminal fluid and concentrate motile sperm. Required for IUI procedures.
Rainbow Baby: A baby born after a previous pregnancy loss.
Practical Terms
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act): Federal law providing 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for birth or adoption at employers with 50+ employees.
Dependent Care FSA: A pre-tax account allowing you to set aside up to $5,000 per year for childcare expenses.
SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology): Organization that tracks and publishes fertility clinic success rates at sart.org.
AMA (Advanced Maternal Age): Medical designation for pregnant women aged 35 and older. Replaces the outdated term "geriatric pregnancy." What fertility after 35 really looks like.
The Bottom Line
You don't need to memorize every term on day one. This glossary is here for you to reference as you go. The more you learn, the more confident you'll feel navigating conversations with doctors, clinics, and your community.
Knowledge isn't just power. It's peace of mind.
Have questions about your fertility journey that a glossary can't answer? Book a session with me for personalized clarity and support.