What is it?
Is this the Rhythm Method?
No. The past century has witnessed tremendous progress in many areas, including the field of Natural Family Planning.
The old Calendar Rhythm Method of the 1930's is obsolete in the face of modern medical research. Unfortunately, the medical community and the general population have had limited opportunity to learn of these advances. Promotion of methods of hormonal contraception by the pharmaceutical industry has overshadowed the field of family planning.
Doctors in training receive practically no education in the field of modern Natural Family Planning. To gain this knowledge physicians must attend specialized medical education programs that are not yet widely available.
What is Modern Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a means through which a couple may either achieve or avoid pregnancy. It is based upon the couple’s own knowledge of their naturally occurring cyclic phases of fertility and infertility.
Natural Family Planning is not contraception; it is true family planning. NFP provides the couple with the means to be able to freely express their reproductive potential. It will assist those couples who are of normal fertility to achieve pregnancy while being fully reliable as a means of avoiding pregnancy. It will also be of assistance to those couples who have experienced infertility.
What is the Creighton Model FertilityCare System?
The Creighton Model FertilityCare System is unique. Developed from the Ovulation Method of NFP after years of scientific research and standardization, this system has proven itself to be an excellent method of NFP, as well as having medical applications to women's health care.
As a method of NFP, the system relies upon the observation of a natural sign -- the discharge of cervical mucus -- which is essential to human fertility. The method is based upon the fact that whenever a woman is fertile, she will experience a characteristic discharge of cervical mucus, which is obvious to her at the opening of the vagina. As ovulation approaches, this mucus discharge undergoes a progressive change, which can be easily observed and interpreted.
What is NaProTechnology?
Apart from being an excellent method of Natural Family Planning, the Creighton Model FertilityCare System is an outstanding method of monitoring gynecologic and reproductive health.
Recent scientific advances have shown it to be of assistance in identifying sub-fertility states, ovarian cysts, hormone disorders, endometriosis and the possibility of miscarriage and high-risk pregnancy. It can also be very helpful in treating these conditions, and others, such as premenstrual syndrome. This new science is called Natural Procreative (NaPro) Technology and can be applied by trained NFP Medical Consultants.
Is this just a Catholic method?
Science has determined that the ovaries are non-sectarian! It is true, however, that the major impetus for research and development of the system has been the encouragement of the Catholic Church. The word catholic itself means universal, and it is true that this system is universal, and can be utilized by every woman in the world for self-knowledge, achieving and/or avoiding pregnancy, and for medical applications.
Is it for me?
How effective is NFP?
1. TO ACHIEVE A PREGNANCY: In couples with normal fertility, conception will occur 76% of the time in the first cycle of using a defined day of fertility, 90% by 3 months of use, and 98% by 6 months of use.
2. TO AVOID A PREGNANCY: Extremely effective! The FertilityCare™ System is over 99% effective in avoiding pregnancy when properly taught by a qualified teacher and then correctly applied.
3. INFERTILITY: From 20%-40% of couples will achieve pregnancy with the Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System only. Up to 80% will conceive with additional cooperative medical assistance; much higher than national averages.
What are some of the benefits of NFP?
Shared responsibility. Unlike contraceptives, both husband and wife share the use of this method. Couples learn to understand their combined fertility.
Improves communication. A deeper communication is developed in the area of fertility and family planning. Couples experience that this deeper level of communication extends to other areas of their relationship as well.
A true method of family planning. The same method can be used to both achieve and avoid pregnancy making it a true method of family planning.
Enhances ones sexuality. The couple learns that true human sexuality is spiritual, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional in its dimensions. The use of NFP assists the couple in developing a healthy balance to their sexual lives.
Loving Cooperation. The method helps build a more loving cooperation in the important matters of sexuality and family planning. Couples who practice NFP testify to the importance of periodically avoiding genital contact in the growth of their overall marriage relationship. Mutual respect deepens.
What if I have irregular cycles?
The FertilityCare System is the perfect system to manage irregular cycles because it identifies fertility and infertility by actual physical signs, not by calendar calculations.
Contrary to popular belief, very few cycles are 28 days. Variation in cycle length is caused by hormonal factors or physical and emotional stress. The FertilityCare System will help identify the cause and, if needed, NaProTechnology can provide the appropriate cooperative medical treatment.
Is this really right for me?
Are you tired of being on the pill for acne, irregular cycles, or painful menstrual cramps?
Are you tired of not knowing what’s going on with your body?
Are you tired of going from doctor to doctor, searching for answers and solutions to manage your reproductive issue?
Tired of having an “unexplained” diagnosis for infertility?
Are you looking for a solution for your gynecologic health issue?
Have you experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage?
Have you struggled with the inability to conceive?
Do you suffer with painful menstrual cramps? Ovarian cysts? Unusual bleeding?
Do you struggle with PMS?
Are you looking for an effective way to treat infertility that does not separate the natural act of intercourse?
Are you tired of hearing that artificial insemination and IVF are the only ways for you to become a parent?
If you've answered yes to any of the above questions, then the Creighton Model System and NaProTechnology is the solution for you!
How to get started
How do I get started?
Check out our get started page.
What is an Introductory Session?
The introductory session is a slide presentation, which introduces the use of the Creighton Model System and NaProTechnology. It is a general presentation usually given to a small group of couples. See our introductory schedule and then sign up for the session that works best for you.
After I attend an Introductory Session, what's next?
At the end of the Introductory Session, the Practitioner will allow you the opportunity to purchase materials, review instructions and set up an individual follow-Up session.
If you have attended a Session in the past, and would like to sign up now, you can contact the Center, or the Practitioner directly.
How long will it take to learn all of this?
Adequate instruction is essential for gaining confidence in the FertilityCare TM System and obtaining the maximum effectiveness possible.
The couple enters the program with an Introductory Session, which equips the couple with the necessary materials and and basic information to begin charting her cycle. Following two weeks of charting, the client/couple and continues in the program with a series of individualized follow-up teaching appointments.
Follow-up sessions are designed to teach couples to be actual users of the Creighton Model System. Personal instruction on the use of the method, as well as complete chart review, are services provided at the individual follow-up sessions. Scheduled at regular intervals, attendance is essential so the couple may quickly develop confidence in the use of the method. After the introductory session, the follow-up sessions occur on the following basic schedule :
First follow-up..................... 2weeks
Second follow-up................. 4weeks
Third follow-up.................... 6weeks
Fourth follow-up.................. 8weeks
Fifth follow-up..................... 3months
Sixth follow-up.................... 6months
Seventh follow-up................ 9months
Eighth follow-up................. 12months
Subsequent follow-ups are recommended every six to twelve months as needed. When a woman's body changes, whether from pregnancy, illness, menopause, etc., follow-ups are again more frequent until the couple is confident with the new charting pattern.
Your FertilityCare Practitioner is also available for consultation between sessions should any questions arise.
I'm out of the area, can you still help me?
Yes! Many couples are successfully taught over long distance!
How much does this cost?
The cost for learning this system is $314.50 for materials and first five follow ups. These fees include 5 individual follow-ups, user manual, charts, stamps and evaluations by the Practitioner. After that, you'll probably need only one or two follow-ups a year.bYou will be given a reciept after each individual follow-up session that can be submitted to your insurance for reimbursement, depending on your coverage. We cannot guarantee reimbursement from your insurance.