Natural Family Planning

Creighton Model FertilityCareTM System

Discover…What every couple needs to know…

What every woman has a right to know…

Women’s menstrual and fertility cycles have been shrouded in mystery since the beginning of time. Most women still do not know about the workings of their cycles of fertility and infertility. Every woman has the right to know how her cycles function in order to understand the way her body works.

After 30 years of amazing research, the mysteries of the menstrual and fertility cycle have been unraveled through the CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCareTM System (CrMS) and the new women’s health science of NaProTECHNOLOGY. Now, a woman can know her cycles and use this information for the maintenance of her health! Now, couples can use this knowledge to plan their family and build their future as a couple.

Biological Markers of Health and Fertility

The CrMS relies upon the standardized observation and charting of biological markers that are essential to understanding a woman’s health and fertility. These “biomarkers” tell the couple when they are naturally fertile and infertile, thus allowing the couple to use the system either to achieve or to avoid pregnancy. The biomarkers also identify abnormalities in a woman’s health. The CrMS is “an authentic language” that, with a few minutes of daily observations, provides a woman with incredible insight into the function of her body.

Advantages

• Standardized and objective
• Professionall
• Easy to learn
• Medically safe
• Personalized
• Reliable
• Shared
• Inexpensive
• Monitors and maintains a woman’s health.
• Versatile (usable at any stage of a woman’s reproductive life, regular and irregular cycles, breastfeeding)
• Precise (identifies true days of fertility and infertility)
• Morally acceptable

True System of Family Planning

As a system of family planning, the CrMS can be used to both achieve and avoid pregnancy. In the June 1998 issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, a large use-effectiveness study of the CrMS revealed that this system has a method effectiveness (perfect use) of 99.5 percent and to use effectiveness (typical use) of 96.8 percent when used to avoid pregnancy. On the other hand, when use to achieve pregnancy in couples of normal fertility the effectiveness is 76% in the first cycle of use and 98% by the sixth cycle.

What Couples Like about the CrMS

• Provides a system that mutually values, respects and understands their combined fertility.
• Promotes shared responsibility –unlike contraceptives
• Enhances their sexuality and promotes marital bonding
• Strengthens marriages and families; views children as gifts
• Encourages involvement of men for support and decision making

Common Questions

What is natural family planning (NFP)?

NFP is a method by which couples learn to identify their times of fertility and infertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy naturally.

How is this done?

The Ovulation Method of NFP is based on the cervical mucus discharge which women observe during the menstrual cycle. Couples learn to chart this information and use it to plan their families. The CREIGHTON MODEL Fertility Care™ System is a standardized, scientifically researched and validated form of the Ovulation Method.

How effective is NFP?

Well-instructed couples who use the CREIGHTON MODEL Fertility Care™ System correctly can expect 99.1–99.9% effectiveness to avoid pregnancy and 100% safety. Couples can also expect a 76% effectiveness in achieving a pregnancy in the first month when using their days of fertility. This method is very helpful for couples with low fertility also.

What if cycles are irregular?

Modern NFP does not depend on regular cycles for effectiveness (as the Rhythm Method did). Because the woman is looking for changes in her cervical mucus daily, the couple can readily identify patterns of fertility and infertility even with very irregular cycles (including breastfeeding and pre-menopause).

How can we learn NFP?

A one-hour group introductory session is held the second Wednesday of every month. Individual introductory sessions may also be arranged. The couple may begin charting right away. After the introductory session, individual follow-up sessions are scheduled two weeks apart for the first two months. There are four additional follow-up sessions over the next ten months. Each session builds upon earlier learning and experience, and new information is presented such as special discharges, early ovulation and stress cycles. Because follow-ups are scheduled individually, they can be paced to best meet specific needs. An additional benefit of the CREIGHTON MODEL Fertility Care™ System is the development of a new science called NaproTechnology. In the process of charting her fertility, a woman has also created a valuable tool with which to monitor her gynecological health. The Creighton Model Natural Family Planning Practitioner will be happy to provide further information about this exciting new field.

How much does this instruction cost?

The group introductory session is $30 per couple with a $25 fee for educational materials. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for the introductory session to reserve space and to prevent classes from becoming too large. Included in the educational materials kit is a user’s manual, chart and stamps. The fee for each follow-up session is $50. For more information, call (520) 873-3867, Monday through Friday to speak with a qualified Natural Family practitioner.

Introduction Session Schedule

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month
St. Joseph's Hospital-Women's Care Pavilion
Canyon Room
7:00 to 8:00 p.m
Register at health.carondelet.org/natural-family-planning/