Last Updated on March 26, 2023 by Avi Steen
TTC is a term that is so much deeper than the surface level meaning. It’s peeing on a test and waiting what feels like forever for the result. It’s waking up at the same time every day to take your temperature in an effort to confirm that you are actually ovulating. It’s going through many emotional rollercoasters as you try to figure out why it hasn’t happened yet.
TTC has so many deeper definitions for multiple people but there’s one universal definition.
TTC meaning
TTC means trying to conceive. It’s when a couple desires to get pregnant and is actively trying. In some instances, it happens right away. Sometimes the first month after the decision. But in most cases trying to conceive is a struggle for many couples who desire to be first-time parents and additional intervention may be required.
Active TTC can be confusing at first, I know it was for me. With this blog, I hope to dispel some of that confusion. I want to help you understand not only TTC but your bodies and health to get to your desired outcome, a baby!
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TTC Terminology to Know When Trying to Get Pregnant
2WW or TWW: Two-week wait (before testing, not always 2 weeks); also known as the luteal phase is the phase directly following ovulation.
AF: Aunt Flo or better known as your period. This is the menstrual phase of your cycle which accounts for one out of 4 phases of your monthly cycle. The other phases are follicular, ovulation and luteal.
BD: Baby Dance. This is a term used to indicate sexual intercourse for conception purposes or by extension any form of insemination.
BFN: Big Fat Negative. This indicates a negative pregnancy test in the TTC community.
BFP: Big Fat Positive. This indicates a positive pregnancy test in the TTC community.
CD: Cycle Day. The numbered day of your monthly cycle. Day 1 is always the beginning of your menstrual period.
CM: Cervical mucous, also known as cervical fluid. It is fluid produced by your cervix as you approach ovulation due to increased estrogen.
- CM Types: (varies throughout the cycle)
- Dry (low fertility)
- Sticky (may stretch but will break because it’s not wet- low fertility)
- Creamy/Creamy Wet (may also stretch and break, usually whitish – medium/high fertility)
- Egg white (stretch 1 inch without breaking, often color tinged due to ovulation spotting – extremely high fertility)
CP: Cervical Position. This is the position of your cervix throughout your monthly cycle. Depending on the cycle phase you are currently in, will determine your cervical position and opening. The opening of the cervix occurs around ovulation but often will be more difficult to reach upon examination.
- Around ovulation will be soft, high, open and wet (SHOW)
- Soft: feels like your lips
- Firm: feels like the tip of your nose
DH, DD, DS: Dear Husband, Dear Daughter, Dear Son. Family member terms used in TTC forums.
DPO: Days Past Ovulation. The number of days after ovulation. Once ovulated, your CM will dry and that becomes 1 DPO.
EDD: Estimated Due Date. This is the estimated date that a baby is due in pregnancy.
EWCM: Egg white cervical mucous. This form of CM indicates the highest fertility in your monthly cycle to conceive.
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone. A hormone that stimulates the ovaries to produce mature ova (eggs) and the hormone estrogen for the purpose of ovulation.
GnRH: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This hormone releases FSH and LH (luteinizing hormone/ovulation hormone).
HPT: Home pregnancy test. Measures levels of the hormone hCG which is produced in pregnancy usually 24-48 hours after implantation.
HCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Hormone detected by pregnancy tests.
IUI: Intra-uterine insemination. An alternative form of TTC with the use of assistive reproductive technology.
IVF: In-vitro fertilization. An alternative form of TTC with the use of assistive reproductive technology.
LH: Luteinizing Hormone: A hormone released in a surge (limited time which is often 12-48 hours ) causing ovulation and development of the corpus luteum (produces progesterone in TWW to support early pregnancy until placenta is formed).
LMP: Last menstrual period. The first day of your last menstrual period.
LP: Luteal Phase, see 2WW or TWW
LPD: Luteal Phase Defect or Deficiency: dysfunction in the production of progesterone (some estrogen) after ovulation causing a short two-week wait (luteal phase)
M/C: Miscarriage. Infant loss in pregnancy.
O: Ovulation. When a mature egg releases after peak estrogen and LH during your monthly cycle. Occurs once a month.
OPK: Ovulation Prediction Kit. OPKs measure luteinizing hormone, the last hormone to peak before ovulation.
POAS: Pee on a stick. Refers to OPKs or HPTs in a TTC forum.
TTC: Trying to conceive. When a couple desires to get pregnant and is actively trying.
Other great references:
Toni Weschler, MPH. Taking Charge of Your Fertility (2015)
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My Personal TTC Story
The term TTC was foreign to me at the beginning of my journey. Once I was 6 months in I decided I needed to do some research. Like any other newlywed couple we had baby fever and we were ready.
But six months had passed and nothing had happened. We were doing all of the right things or so we thought.
In month 11 we received our first BFP. The first pregnancy test also ended in my first miscarriage. This was an emotional month that was followed by more emotional months as I got pregnant right away but experienced yet another miscarriage.
In 2018 I had two back-to-back miscarriages with one lasting 45 days.
I wanted to become a mother so bad, and remembered days as a child where I’d even dream of the moments but because of my hormonal imbalances and the overwhelming feeling of not knowing when it was going to happen I wasn’t able to have a successful pregnancy.
When I went through my miscarriage I began to lean into my quiet time with the Lord and listen to His voice. Through daily devotion and prayer, He guided me to figure out the solution to my problem. I was not fueling my body with the right foods which were causing irregularities in my cycle.
First, I tried to get pregnant by just using OPKs and hoping for the best but the problem was I was ovulating but my fertility and body weren’t optimal to conceive and /or keep the baby.
After that didn’t work, I had my first chemical pregnancy, and at the same time, I learned that my teenage cousin had committed suicide. I fell into a slump in grieving 2 family members. I fell off track with God and wasn’t giving my faith journey any attention.
Finally, I realized, with the help of God, I needed to balance my hormones by healing my gut issues, changing my lifestyle habits, and growing my relationship with the Lord so that He could show me step by step what my life would start to look like. When I started changing my lifestyle from the inside out I was able to conceive my rainbow baby (a baby conceived after miscarriage).
As I’m writing this post I now have two beautiful girls and baby three on the way! Praise God!
Frequently Asked Questions About TTC
- What should you not do while trying to conceive?
You should not neglect the signs your body gives you. Now, what does that mean? You should make sure you know your monthly cycle and when you ovulate.
For some women, this is on a very consistent schedule around Day 14. Some of us on the other hand might have to put in a little more work to determine our ovulation day each month.
Charting your cycle with an app like Fertility Friend can help with this.
- How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?
You can increase your chances of getting pregnant by charting your cycle, recognizing and correcting any hormonal imbalance, eating a healthy fertility diet, and having a fertile mindset.
- How do I know when I’m ovulating?
Ovulation occurs when estrogen and luteinizing hormone peak during your monthly cycle. You can know that you are approaching ovulation as you notice your cervical mucus start to increase.
Usually, CM is dry throughout our monthly cycle until we reach our fertile window. The end of the window is ovulation. So once you recognize an increase of CM (when wiping) you are entering the fertile window and therefore approaching ovulation.
Once your CM is dry again you have most likely ovulated, unless you are experiencing or have had hormonal imbalances in the past such as PCOS or endometriosis.
- How to enjoy trying to conceive?
Keep it simple. Women are more prone to the research and science of getting pregnant than men, in general. So keep it simple and exciting. Whatever sparks your husband, keep at it.
Surprise him with notes around the house during your fertile window (without telling him your in the fertile window) or send him flirty texts throughout the day to keep the passion flame ablaze.
Just be yourself, that’s why he married you and wants to have your babies!
Trying to conceive or TTC or trying to get pregnant, however, you want to summarize or define your journey can be a lot of things for a lot of different people.
The important thing to remember about TTC and the meaning behind it is that everyone’s journey to a baby will look different. You’ll have to learn what your journey entails and follow God’s plan for your family’s lives.
Let us know down below, how long have you been actively TTC?
Octavia Steen is an NBDA certified fertility doula, health coach, certified fitness nutrition specialist, aspiring missionary with the COGIC, and owner of Mother Mindset. She helps future and current mamas become more consistent in faith + fitness and grow closer to God so they can create a healthier lifestyle from the inside out!