TTC, BCP, BFP, CB – what do they all mean? In this post, we explore a handful of the most common acronyms that are found on fertility forums and message boards across the web.
If you’ve been trying for a baby lately, there’s no doubt you’ll have come across a fair share of acronyms on fertility message boards and in community groups. If you’re new to it, too, you may be feeling particularly overwhelmed. But don’t worry – you can quickly familiarise yourself with these terms, so let’s introduce you to a few…
AF – Aunt Flo
A popular euphemism referring to the menstrual cycle.
BCP – Birth Control Pill
Also known as the contraceptive pill.
BD – Baby Dance
A reference to having sexual intercourse during your most fertile days. BD can also mean Baby Dust – a good luck phrase meaning “I hope you get pregnant”.
BFN – Big Fat Negative
Referring to pregnancy tests, BFN and BFP make regular appearances across fertility forums. It’s not uncommon for women to take a pregnancy test and receive different results on the same day – you might see something written on forums similar to “tested BFP this morning but BFN in the evening”.
BFP – Big Fat Positive
A positive pregnancy test.
CB – Cycle Buddy
Your cycle buddy is someone who either started the cycle with you, ovulated the same time as you, or is planning to take a pregnancy test around the same time as you.
DP – Darling Partner
Used to refer to a partner/husband/wife.
EPT – Early Pregnancy Test
A test that’s taken within the two weeks between your last missed period and ovulation. It can be performed as early as nine days after menstruation was expected.
Frostie – Frozen Embryo
Embryos from your IVF treatment can be frozen, ready to be thawed and used in future cycles, depending on their quality.
TTC – Trying To Conceive
A popular one on message boards and an easy one to remember! TTC is about more than just having unprotected sex, though. In relation to fertility forums, it’s more about the research, patience and entire journey involved in preparing to become pregnant.
US – Ultrasound
An ultrasound scan, sometimes called a sonogram, is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to view internal structures of the body. Ultrasound is used during pregnancy to check that your baby is healthy.
Feeling a little more in the know? Hopefully, you’ll be to navigate fertility forums and message boards alike with more confidence! If you’re still feeling stuck, though, you can take a look at our interactive Jargon Buster – packed full with over 200 definitions.
