Natural Family Planning

Related Topic Links
Women's Health
Osteoporosis
Breast Cancer
Healthy Pregnancy

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 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 standard 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 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 observation, provides a woman with incredible insight into the function of her body.

Advantages:

Standardized and objective
Easy to learn
Personalized
Shared
Professional
Medically safe
Reliable
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 of effectiveness (perfect use) of 99.5%, a use-effectiveness (typical use) of 96.8% when used to avoid pregnancy. On the other hand, when used 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 in decision making

NaProTechnology

NaProTechnology allows women to "unleash the power" that naturally exists within their cycle. This new science monitors and maintains a woman's gynecologic and reproductive health.

NaProTechnology uses the CrMS to monitor various events and to telegraph abnormalities in the menstrual and fertility cycle. When the cycle functions abnormally, NaProTechnology identifies problems and treats them cooperatively with the cycle.

Women now have an opportunity to know and understand the causes of the symptoms from which they may suffer.

Real Solutions to Real Problems:

Infertility
Menstrual cramps
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Ovarian cysts
Irregular or abnormal bleeding
Polycystic ovarian disease
Repetitive miscarriage
Postpartum depression
Prematurity prevention
Hormonal abnormalities
Chronic discharges
Other health problems

What Women Like About NaProTechnology:

Provides knowledge about how her body works
Increases awareness of abnormalities in the menstrual and fertility cycles
Helps the physician to understand the causes of her problems
Allows her to be a collaborator with the physician in her healthcare maintenance

Effectiveness of the CrMS and NaProTechnology

CrMS is 99.5% method effective (perfect use) and 96.8% use effective (typical use)
Nearly three times more successful than IVF for assisting infertility couples and does not result in early abortions or frozen embryos
Multiple pregnancy rates are ten times lower than that with artificial reproductive technologies
95% success rate for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
95% success rate for treating postpartum depression (PPD)
Prematurity rate has increased every year over the last 25-30 years nationally. NaProTechnology Prematurity Prevention Program has cut the rate from 12.1% to 7%! Preterm birth is associated with increased mortality and neurological injury for the baby.

Learning the CrMS

A network of FertilityCare™ Centers deliver CrMS services (www.fertilitycare.org). Learning the CrMS begins with an introductory session (general presentation in small-group or individual format) that explains scientific foundations, methodology, applications to various reproductive categories, and how to NaProTRACK™ your cycles with the CrMS. This continues with a series of essential, individualized follow-up teaching appointments (personal instruction on use of the system and complete chart review). At each private follow-up, the FertilityCareTM Practitioner tailors the system to your specific needs. These sessions are recommended five times during the first three months of use and an additional three times over the remainder of a year. Subsequent follow-ups are recommended every six to twelve months as needed. Your professional FertilityCare™ Practitioner is also available for consultation between sessions should any questions arise.

Introductory Classes in Natural Family Planning/Creighton Model are currently being held at both Sisters of Charity Hospital and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. Below is a list of upcoming dates. Pre-registration is required for all classes. If you are interested, please call to reserve your spot.

Sisters Hospital

(716) 862-1944
All sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. and are held in the Specialty Center for Women

February 16, 2008
March 15, 2008
April 12, 2008
May 17, 2008
June 14, 2008
August 16, 2008
September 27, 2008
October 18, 2008
November 15, 2008

Mercy Hospital

(716) 828-2438
The following sessions are held on Saturday and begin at 10:30 a.m.

March 29, 2008
May 10, 2008
July 19, 2008
September 20, 2008
November 8, 2008

The following sessions are held on Wednesday and begin at 6:30 p.m.

February 27, 2008
April 9, 2008
June 4, 2008
August 13, 2008
October 15, 2008
December 3, 2008

Mount St. Mary's Hospital (5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY)

All sessions are held on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

February 21, 2008
March 27, 2008
April 17, 2008
May 22, 2008
June 19, 2008
July 10, 2008
August 14, 2008
September 18, 2008
October 16, 2008
November 20, 2008

In addition to the introductory classes, the Catholic FertilityCare Centers of WNY also offers:

Instruction on the Creighton model to individual couples
Mother/Daughter and Father/Son classes
High School Chastity Programs
Marriage Prep Classes (Pre-Cana)
Staff from the Catholic FertilityCare Centers of WNY are also available to meet with:
- PTA Groups
- Parents Groups
- Confirmation Classes (Chastity Education)

For more information on Natural Family Planning:

Creighton Model Ovulation Method - www.naprotechnology.com
www.popepaulvi.com
www.creightonmodel.com
www.fertilitycare.com
www.aafcp.org

Related information and resources:

NaProTechnology is a registered trademark of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. It can freely be used by any person or entity so long as its use reflects the medical concepts and values expressed in the textbook The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTechnology.