| Cancelled Cycle |
Discontinuation of an ART cycle usually prompted by poor response to hormone therapy, no egg recovery, or failed fertilization.
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| Cervical Mucus |
Secretions produced by the cervix. The thickness of the mucus varies according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. In the days just before ovulation, the mucus is easily penetrable by sperm.
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| Cervix |
The lower section and opening of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina. Sperm pass through the cervix into the uterus during intercourse. It dilates during labor to allow the passage of the infant.
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| Chemical Pregnancy |
A very early pregnancy detectable only by a blood test for hCG. The hCG level in the blood rises high enough to yield a positive pregnancy test, but then stops rising and does not lead to a clinical pregnancy, but may result in a very early miscarriage.
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| Clinical Pregnancy |
A pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity within the uterus detectable only by ultrasound five weeks after egg retrieval/ovulation.
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| Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid/Serophene) |
A synthetic drug used to stimulate production of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Often used to treat milder forms of ovulation failure or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
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| Congenital |
A characteristic or defect present at birth, it may be hereditary or acquired during gestation.
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| Corpus Luteum |
A major structure within an ovary that evolves from the follicles and produces progesterone, a hormone that preserves the uterine lining.
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| Cryopreservation |
A procedure used to preserve (by freezing) and store gametes and embryos.
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| Cycle |
The period of time, about one month, when an infertility treatment is initiated and continuing until the treatment is halted or completed.
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