JUNIE

    Glossary of Fertility Terms

    Fertility and surrogacy language can feel overwhelming at first. This glossary gives clear, practical definitions for common terms so you can make confident decisions throughout your family-building journey.

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    A

    AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)
    A blood test marker often used to estimate ovarian reserve, or the remaining egg supply. It helps inform fertility planning but does not predict pregnancy on its own.
    ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology)
    A broad category for medical treatments used to help people conceive, including IVF and embryo transfer procedures. Explore fertility and surrogacy resources.

    B

    Blastocyst
    An embryo that has developed for about five to six days after fertilization. Blastocyst-stage embryos are commonly used for transfer or freezing in IVF.

    C

    Carrier Screening
    A genetic test that checks whether someone carries gene changes linked to inherited conditions. It can guide embryo, donor, or pregnancy planning decisions.
    Clinical Pregnancy
    A pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound (such as a gestational sac or heartbeat), rather than by hormone tests alone.

    D

    Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
    A lower-than-expected quantity or quality of eggs for a person's age. DOR can affect response to ovarian stimulation and IVF outcomes.
    Donor Egg / Donor Sperm
    Reproductive cells provided by a donor when intended parents cannot or choose not to use their own eggs or sperm.

    E

    Egg Retrieval
    A procedure where mature eggs are collected from the ovaries after stimulation medications during an IVF cycle.
    Embryo Grading
    A lab assessment of embryo development and appearance used to help prioritize embryos for transfer or freezing.
    Endometrium
    The uterine lining where an embryo implants. Its thickness and pattern are monitored during fertility treatment and transfer cycles.

    F

    FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer)
    A cycle in which a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred into the uterus.
    Follicle
    A fluid-filled structure in the ovary that contains an egg. Follicle growth is tracked by ultrasound during stimulation.

    G

    Gestational Carrier
    A person who carries a pregnancy for intended parent(s) and has no genetic link to the baby in a gestational surrogacy journey. Learn about becoming a surrogate with JUNIE.
    Genetic Testing (PGT-A/PGT-M)
    Testing performed on embryos to screen chromosome counts (PGT-A) or specific inherited conditions (PGT-M) before transfer.

    H

    hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
    A hormone measured after embryo transfer to detect early pregnancy. It is also used in some cycles as a trigger medication.
    Hormonal Stimulation
    The use of fertility medications to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs in one treatment cycle.

    I

    ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
    A lab technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to support fertilization.
    Intended Parents
    Person or people who plan to become the legal parent(s) of a child through surrogacy or other assisted reproduction pathways. See support for intended parents.

    L

    Luteal Phase
    The part of the menstrual cycle after ovulation. In fertility treatment, hormonal support during this phase can help implantation.

    M

    Miscarriage
    A pregnancy loss before 20 weeks. Care plans after miscarriage are individualized and may include additional testing.
    Multiple Gestation
    A pregnancy with twins or higher-order multiples. Modern IVF often emphasizes single embryo transfer to reduce this risk.

    O

    Ovarian Reserve
    A general term for the quantity and potential quality of remaining eggs. It is commonly evaluated with AMH, FSH, and antral follicle count.
    Ovulation Induction
    Medication-based treatment to stimulate ovulation for timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination cycles.

    P

    Progesterone
    A hormone that supports the uterine lining and early pregnancy. It is commonly used after ovulation or embryo transfer.

    R

    Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI)
    A physician specialized in infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF, fertility preservation, and related care.

    S

    Semen Analysis
    A test evaluating sperm count, movement, and shape to help assess male-factor fertility.
    Singleton Pregnancy
    A pregnancy with one fetus. In IVF and surrogacy, this is often the intended outcome for safety and lower complication risk.
    Surrogacy Agreement
    A legal contract that outlines responsibilities, expectations, and protections for a gestational carrier and intended parent(s). Review JUNIE's step-by-step surrogacy guidance.

    T

    Trigger Shot
    A timed injection used to complete egg maturation before retrieval or to time ovulation in treatment cycles.
    Two-Week Wait
    The period between ovulation or embryo transfer and pregnancy testing, often one of the most emotionally difficult phases of treatment.

    U

    Ultrasound Monitoring
    Routine imaging used to track follicle growth, uterine lining development, and early pregnancy progress during treatment.

    V

    Viability Scan
    An early pregnancy ultrasound that confirms location, heartbeat, and developmental progress at a specific gestational age.

    W

    Wash (Sperm Wash)
    A lab process that separates motile sperm from seminal fluid and debris before insemination or IVF procedures.