If you are trying to get pregnant and are struggling with infertility, it may help you to have a better understanding of some of the most frequently used medical terms and phrases pertaining to infertility and fertility treatments.
Here are some more of the most commonly used terms relating to infertility and fertility treatments:
Fetus: From the eighth week after conception, to the moment of birth, the term used for unborn offspring.
Follicle: Also known as an ovarian follicle, this is a structure in the ovaries containing a developing egg. These follicles are often counted to check on a woman’s egg reserve.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: Also called FSH, this is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that assists in maturation and release of eggs. If you have high levels of FSH, it is an indication that your ovarian reserve is low, which lowers your chance of getting pregnant.
Fresh Eggs, Sperm, or Embryos: This means exactly what it says—eggs, sperm or embryos that are fresh and have not been frozen. It is important to note, however, that fresh embryos can be conceived using either fresh or frozen sperm.
Frozen Embryo Cycle: This refers to an Assisted Reproductive Technology cycle in which frozen, or cryopreserved, embryos are thawed and then transferred to a woman’s body.
Gamete: A gamete is a reproductive cell. It may be either a sperm or an egg.
GIFT: This refers to Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer and is an ART procedure that entails the removal of eggs from a woman’s ovary, subsequently combining those eggs with sperm, and then placing the unfertilized eggs and sperm into the woman’s fallopian tube via laparoscope, through small incisions in her abdomen.
Gestational Carrier: This is also called a gestational surrogate or surrogate, and refers to a woman who agrees to carry an embryo that was created from the egg/s of another woman. The gestational carrier almost always has a contractual obligation to give the infant to its intended parents at birth.
It is stressful enough dealing with infertility, without being bewildered by all of the technical medical jargon!
Infertility Lingo: Terms That You Should Know Part 1
Infertility Lingo: Terms That You Should Know Part 5
Infertility Lingo: Terms That You Should Know Part 2
Infertility Lingo: Terms That You Should Know Part 4
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