• $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."