What does this abbreviation mean?

What is this abbreviation or acronym?

We often make use of abbreviations on SPALS -- sometimes to save typing and reading time; sometimes because certain words and expressions take on special meaning for us; sometimes because they are medical terms.

Pineland Press maintains an excellent list of acronyms used in the misc.health.infertility and alt.infertility newsgroups.

Fertility Plus presents a full list of abbreviations and acronyms commonly used in the alt.infertility and misc.health.infertility news groups (and also on SPALS).

The InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) has established a full glossary of infertility terms.

For the uninitiated, here is a list of common abbreviations.

  • $0.02 = two cents -- as in throwing in my two cents' worth.
  • AC = Abdominal circumference -- a measurement of the mother's belly in cross section, as an indicator of fetal weight/growth, and used with BPD and FL to estimate fetal age and weight.
  • AC = Assisted conception
  • AF = "Aunt Flo" -- the activity of menstruation, as in " I am expecting Aunt Flo" or "Aunt Flo arrived".
  • AFP = Alpha-feto protein -- a pregnancy screening test.
  • Amnio = Amniocentesis
  • ART = Assisted reproductive technology
  • ASG = alt.support.grief -- newsgroup providing general grief support.
  • BBT = Basal body temperature -- a temperature reading used determine a woman's fertile period.
  • b/d = Born and died
  • BD = Baby dancing -- attempting conception.
  • BFN = Big fat negative -- result on a pregnancy test.
  • BFP = Big fat positive -- result on a pregnancy test.
  • BH = Braxton Hicks -- as in Braxton Hicks contractions.
  • BIL = Brother in law
  • BPD = Biparietal diameter -- a measurement taken of the baby's head (from side to side), usually measured by ultrasound after the 1st trimester and used with FL and AC to estimate fetal age and weight.
  • BTW = By the way
  • CM = Cervical mucus or calendar method [learning most fertile time]
  • CVS = Chorionic Villus Sampling
  • D&C = Dilation and curettage -- a procedure for cleaning out the uterus.
  • D&E = Dilation and evacuation -- a procedure for cleaning out the uterus by suction.
  • DD = Dear / darling daughter
  • DH = Dear / darling / devoted husband -- a term of endearment.
  • DHAC = Doesn't have a clue -- can be used as an adjective, noun or verb as appropriate, as in "my DHAC sister" or "my friends are all DHAC's" or "my boss DHAC".
  • DO = Doctor of Osteopathy -- a doctor graduating from a school of osteopathy (a system of healing based on the theory that most diseases are the result of structural abnormalities of the body) who may specialize in the manipulation of bones and joints to promote healing.
  • DPO = Days past ovulation
  • EDD = Estimated date of delivery
  • EPT = Early pregnancy test
  • FAQ = Frequent asked question(s)
  • FIL = Father in law
  • FL = Femur length -- a measurement of the baby's femur (the longest bone in the body) to assess fetal growth, often used with AC and BPD to estimate fetal age and weight.
  • FT = Full term
  • FWIW = For what it's worth
  • GBS = Group B streptococcus
  • GD = Gestational diabetes
  • GTT = Glucose tolerance test
  • GYN = Gynecologist
  • HCG or hCG = Human Chorionic Gonadotropin -- a hormone secreted by the placenta that is used to confirm pregnancy, as well as to measure the progress of a pregnancy.
  • HELLP = HELLP Syndrome -- short for Hemolytic anemia, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count.
  • HPT = Home pregnancy test
  • HSG = Hysterosalpingogram
  • IMHO = In my humble/honest opinion -- a signal that a personal point of view is coming.
  • IUGR or IGR = Intra uterine growth retardation
  • IUI = Intrauterine insemination
  • IVF = In vitro fertilization -- process for fertilizing eggs externally and implanting those eggs into the uterus.
  • IYKWIM = If you know what I mean
  • LC = Living child
  • LMP = Last menstrual period -- the date of the last period prior to conception.
  • LPD = Luteal phase defect (or deficiency)
  • M/C or m/c or mscg = Miscarriage
  • MIL = Mother in law
  • MKP = misc.kids.pregnancy -- newsgroup for parents planning or experiencing pregnancy.
  • MP = Monthly period
  • Ms. PP = Ms. Perfect Pregnancy -- a person who blissfully had no problems with their pregnancy.
  • NICU = Neonatal intensive care unit -- a specialized nursery within a hospital where high-risk infants receive personalized and dedicated care.
  • NMP = Next menstrual period -- the expected date of the next period (which Trying Moms hope to miss!).
  • NST = Non-stress test
  • NTD = Neural tube defect
  • O = Ovulation
  • OB = Obstetrician -- a medical and surgical specialist in the branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and childbirth.
  • OPK = Ovulation predictor kit
  • OT = Off topic
  • OTOH = On the other hand
  • PCOS = Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • pg = Pregnant
  • PM = Pregnant mom
  • PROM = Premature rupture of membranes
  • PTM = Pre trying mom -- one of the members on our list, intending to become pregnant, but not yet ready (or not yet permitted).
  • RE = Reproductive endochrinologist
  • RL = Real life -- as opposed to on the internet, as in "my RL friend".
  • RSI = Repetitive strain injury -- a hand or wrist injury sometimes reported on SPALS arising from too much typing strain; also any other body injury from repetitive strain.
  • SAH = Stay at home -- usually used before Mom (SAHM) or Dad (SAHD) or parent (SAHP)
  • s/b = Stillborn
  • SIL = Sister in law
  • SO = Significant other
  • SSPL = soc.support.pregnancy.loss -- newgroup providing support for parents, family members and caregivers facing pregnancy loss.
  • TCF = The Compassionate Friends -- a widespread real life bereavement support organization.
  • TIA = Thanks in advance
  • TM = Trying mom -- one of the members on our list currently trying to become pregnant.
  • TTC = Trying to conceive
  • U/S or u/s = Ultrasound
  • VBAC = Vaginal birth after Cesarean
  • WOH = Work outside home -- usually used before Mom (WOHM) or Dad (WOHD).
  • WTEWYE = What to Expect When You're Expecting -- a widely purchased book on childbirth.
  • YMMV = Your mileage may vary -- meaning "this was my experience, but my circumstances may be very different from yours."



What is this funny symbol people use?

Because of the emotional nature of discussions on SPALS, and because we can't see each other in our discussions, we often make use of emoticons (smiley symbols) to help convey the tone of our messages. Many lists are available on the Internet, including this comprehensive guide. Some of the more common emoticons and acronyms used on SPALS:

  • :-) means Happy
  • ;-) means Wink / comment in jest
  • :-( means Sad
  • :~( means Crying / in tears
  • :-| means Grim / frowning
  • :-P means Tongue sticking out
  • :*) means Clowning
  • =:-o means Horrified / mock horror
  • @}->--- means A rose(typically embellished with flourishes)
  • BG = big grin
  • IMHO = in my humble opinion
  • LOL = laughing out loud
  • OTOH = on the other hand
  • OXOX = hugs and kisses
  • ROTFL = rolling on the floor laughing
  • ROTFLOL = rolling on the floor laughing out loud
  • SETE = smiling ear to ear
  • VBG = very big grin
  • YMMV = your mileage may vary (this was my experience; yours may be different)