Fertility Awareness (NFP)
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What is fertility awareness?
Fertility Awareness or Natural Family Planning (NFP) are the general titles for the scientific, natural, and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or avoid pregnancies. NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving (unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they take advantage of God’s design for married love!
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fertility awareness methods
There are three main categories of methods for developing a greater awareness of one's fertility: Ovulation Methods, Sympto-Thermal Methods, and Sympto-Hoprmonal Methods.
Ovulation Method
These methods teach users to daily observe and chart changes in the color and consistency of cervical mucus, in order to better understand one's fertility. A woman learns how to identify the normal, healthy, cervical mucus which indicates the days that sexual intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.
Creighton Model FertilityCare System (CrMS) - Relies upon the standardized observation and charting of biological markers that are the keys to information regarding a woman’s health and fertility. These “biomarkers” tell the couple when they are naturally fertile and infertile, allowing the couple to use the system either to achieve or to avoid pregnancy. These biomarkers also reveal any health abnormalities that may be present. Classes are one-on-one with a practitioner and consist of an introductory presentation followed by monthly follow-up meetings until autonomy is achieved. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, Elizabeth Corte and Kristen Klapatch are local practitioners. They can be reached at [email protected].
Billings Ovulation Method (Online) - The Billings Ovulation Method is a more affordable option that is solely focused on helping couples achieve or postpone pregnancy. If you have other health abnormalities, the Creighton Model may be helpful This online training offers a three-part video series that introduces the science and beauty of this method. Three months of charting included. Follow-up coaching is available for an additional cost. To learn more and register, click HERE.
SYMPTO-THERMAL METHOD (STM)
These methods observe several signs of fertility and cross-check two or more of the signs to pinpoint ovulation. STM typically combines charting of the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus with other optional indicators, such as changes in the cervix and secondary fertility signs.
Northwest Sympto-Thermal / Symptopro - Uses a combination of basal body temperature and observations of physical changes to chart progress through the woman's fertility cycle. This information can be used effectively to either achieve or postpone a pregnancy. Training is done via an online course with an experienced personal instructor. The course consist of 3 comprehensive sessions that takes between 4-12 weeks to complete depending on your pace. It inculdes chart reviews and study materials. This course is encourged to be taken as a couple. To register, click HERE.
Couple to Couple League - Another option that uses the Sympto-Thermal Method led by other couples. All training sessions are faciliated by couples for couples. Trainings can be done online either live or with a self-paced model. For more information or to register, click HERE.
SYMPTO-HORMONAL METHOD
The method that observes several signs of fertility and adds the use of ovulation predictor kit (OPK) or fertility monitor is called the “Sympto-Hormonal Method” or “SHM.” Similar to Sympto-Thermal, this approach adds the self-detection of reproductive hormones in the urine with the assistance of an OPK or fertility monitor. This method is also called the Marquette Model. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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