Natural Family Planning S E R V I C E S. Archdiocese of Boston. Natural Family Planning Ministry A R C H D I O C E S E O F B O S T O N

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1 Natural Family Planning S E R V I C E S Natural Family Planning Ministry Archdiocese of Boston A R C H D I O C E S E O F B O S T O N b o s t o n c a t h o l i c. o r g / n f p

2 1 NFP teaches a couple to reliably track their fertility in a way that brings them closer to each other and to God. What is Natural Family Planning? Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for methods that use naturally occurring biological markers of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman s menstrual cycle to achieve or avoid pregnancy. Modern NFP methods are distinct from calendar rhythm, are applicable to all women, and can be used at any stage of a woman s reproductive life. There are several natural biological markers used, alone or in combination, to determine the start, peak, and end of the fertile phase. Observing, recording and interpreting one or all of the biological markers of fertility and infertility forms the basis for all methods of NFP. 3 BIOLOGICAL MARKERS OF FERTILITY & INFERTILITY Cervical Fluid One biological marker that can be monitored is the fluid released from the cervix. This cervical fluid can be felt and seen externally. A woman learns to identify a changing cervical fluid pattern, to identify the start, peak and end of the fertile phase of the cycle. Basal Body Temperature A second biological marker that can be monitored is a woman s basal body temperature (body temperature at rest). Due to hormonal activity, a woman's resting temperature changes during her menstrual cycle and identifies the end of the fertile phase of the cycle. Fertility Hormones The levels of two key fertility hormones can be simply monitored by use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor. These two hormones are used to identify the start, peak and end of the fertile time. Providers of NFP Instruction &Teacher Training Cross Check Method Archdiocese of Boston bostoncatholic.org/nfp Creighton Fertility Care Method creightonmodel.com Sympto-Thermal Method Couple to Couple League ccli.org Billings Ovulation Method boma-usa.org Sympto-Hormonal Method Marquette University marquette.edu/nursing/nfp Other Resources Pope Paul VI Institute for Reproductive Health popepaulvi.com & Provides training for health care professionals in NaproTechnology. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - NFP usccb.org (enter NFP in search) Provides resources on NFP to individuals, NFP teachers and diocesan NFP coordinators. National Catholic Bioethics Center ncbcenter.org Provides research, publications, education and consultations that promote Church teaching in health care and the life sciences. One More Soul onemoresoul.com Provides resources on NFP, chastity, sexuality, marriage, the blessings of children, and sterilization reversal. Natural Family Planning Ministry - Archdiocese of Boston bostoncatholic.org/nfp Natural Family Planning Ministry serves engaged & married couples, NFP clients, NFP teachers, lay faithful & parish personnel. It provides information, education, resources, support & referrals for matters pertaining to NFP, infertility, reproductive disorders & relevant Church teaching. 10

3 Enroll Today! We look at NFP not as a form of birth control, but as a lifestyle in cooperation with God How Do I Learn NFP? Responsible & sible decisions regarding family size. Responsible & generous love NFP instruction is offered by certified instructors at many locations in the Archdiocese. All programs provide instruction, individual assistance with chart interpretation, telephone consultations, and long term follow-up. A course of instruction and follow-up will typically take 3-6 months to complete. Each method has its own fee schedule, ranging from $140-$300, which is inclusive of instruction, materials and follow-up. Alternative payment arrangements are available. GenerousLove Couples marry to express their committed love, be united and have a family together. These reasons for marriage are also the meanings of the marital act that is, sexual intercourse. The Church recognizes that there are includes knowledge of and respect for fertility. NFP provides scientific and statistically verifiable knowledge regarding the signs of fertility and infertility, the natural laws that govern our fertility. Responsible & generous love involves self-mastery. NFP fosters What You Need To Do 1. Decide which NFP method you would like to learn. Please refer to the NFP method comparison chart on page 5, or for further assistance, call the NFP Office at (617) legitimate reasons for regulating pregnancy. Church teaching does not say that a couple must intend to have a child in each and every marriage act. Couples are asked to be both respon- self-control and helps couples accept more fully the responsibility God gives them with regard to procreation. Finally, responsible & generous love must be exercised through moral 2 Visit bostoncatholic.org/nfp for the schedule of NFP instruc- sible and generous in welcoming means. Once a couple has chosen to tional programs and registration contact information. children. engage in the marital act and exchange 3. Review the schedule of NFP instructional programs and contact the listed NFP instructor to register for a program. Pre-registration is required for all programs. Responsible & generous love includes the consideration of the factors or conditions which have a bearing on family size. When considering physical, their love, they must respect its creative potential and not frustrate it through contraceptive means. The life-giving potential of the marital act must not be economic, psychological and sociologi- deliberately removed. With NFP, cal factors, couples are responsible to unlike contraceptves, nothing is done God, to themselves, to their families and before, during or after the marital act to 9 We're leaving the course with valuable information that we will use for the rest of our married life. to society, in that order. NFP assists couples in making generous and respon- render the act sterile, incomplete or to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. 2

4 It s great, nothing comes between the couple and this is what God intends. It strengthens the marital bond. Specialized Services 3 Why Choose NFP? NFP use safeguards the meaning of the marital act so each act: accurately expresses and renews the wedding vows is an expression of free, total, faithful, fruitful and sacrifi cial love is a sign of the sacrament of marriage NFP use safeguards the purpose of the marital act so that whatever fertility is naturally present is given and received in each act of intercourse. NFP use respects and maintains the integrity of the marital act and the reproductive system. NFP use safeguards the life of a newly conceived child. What is the Difference BETWEEN NFP & CONTRACEPTION? The Purpose of NFP is Different The purpose of NFP is to inform and guide sexual conduct so that a couple can live responsibly and generously with their unsuppressed and unaltered fertility. The purpose of contraception is the elimination of fertility from the person and/or the marital act. The Action of the Couple is Different (even though there may not be a difference in intention or circumstance) A couple using NFP to postpone pregnancy adjusts the timing of the marital act. The NFP instructional program for postpartum women is specifically designed to meet the needs of the breastfeeding mother. Women in the program have the option of observing cervical fluid, basal body temperature and using the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor alone, or in combination, to determine fertile and infertile days. The use of the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor is highly recommended. The NFP breastfeeding protocol used was developed at the Marquette University Institute of Natural Family Planning. This protocol is 92% - 98% effective in preventing pregnancy during the first 12 months postpartum. 1 Stated efficacy is for the NFP breastfeeding protocol that includes use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor. N FP PROGRAM FOR POSTPARTUM WOMEN The program is conducted via phone, and/or Skype. Depending on the woman s prior experience with NFP, the program consists of one or two instructional follow-up sessions. Additional chart follow-up is available through the review of six regular cycles at no additional charge. 1 Bouchard, T., et al. Efficacy of a New Postpartum Transition Protocol for Avoiding Pregnancy, Journal of American Board of Family Medicine. 2012: 26: NFP has fostered a closeness with my wife and better teamwork as a couple. 8

5 Specialized Services I feel closer to God knowing that this is the way He designed us. NAPROTECHNOLO GY FOR INFERTILITY & REPRODUCTIVE DISORD ERS NaProTechnology (Natural Pro- The services of NaProTechnology creative Technology) networks NFP are available to women or couples with the treatment of reproductive experiencing the following issues: disorders and infertility. NaPro- Infertility Technology is a new reproductive Menstrual Cramps health science that provides medical Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and surgical treatments that cooperate Ovarian Cysts completely with the reproductive system. NaProTechnology seeks to Irregular or abnormal bleeding correct the reproductive disorder, Polycystic ovarian syndrome maintain gynecological health and Repetitive miscarriage sustain the procreative potential of the Postpartum depression reproductive system. It respects the Hormonal abnormalities dignity of woman, the integrity of marriage and the marriage act. NaPro- Chronic discharges Technology is delivered through the For more information, please visit services of trained medical doctors or contact and Creighton/ Fertility Care NFP the Natural Family Planning Office at teachers. (617) There is no marital act during the The Nature & Meaning fertile window. In NFP use, the couple is Different acknowledges the creative power of Due to God s design, naturally intercourse and does not redesign or infertile acts of intercourse do not result block it. By abstaining during the fertile in pregnancy but they still maintain a time the couple refrains from employing this power in a given cycle. The use NFP use, whatever fertility is naturally procreative nature and meaning. In of NFP is a choice not to pursue the present is given and received in each act good of new life in a given cycle. of intercourse. A couple using contraception alters Due to human action, acts of intercourse that are contracepted may not the marital act itself and/or the reproductive system. In each marital act the result in pregnancy, nor have a procreative nature and meaning. In contracep- couple takes deliberate action before, during or after intercourse to render sex tive use, whatever fertility is naturally sterile, incomplete or prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. The use of each act of intercourse. present is not given and is rejected in contraception is a choice to deliberately impede the good of new life. NFP Strengthens a Marriage by providing a deep appreciation for the gift of fertility. It is easy to learn and to use, and every couple can do so with a clear conscience. NFP is helping us to communicate our thoughts and feelings and is giving us an even greater appreciation of fertility 7 4

6 Comparison Chart Range of Effectiveness* OF NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING METHODS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON OF NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING METHODS & COMMONLY USED CONTRAC EPTIVES Cross Check* (Archdiocese of Boston) Creighton/ Fertility Care Sympto-Thermal (Couple to Couple League) Billings Ovulation Sympto-Hormonal (Marquette University) Natural Family Planning Methods 83% % Sympto-Thermal 1 (cervical fluid & BBT) 98.4% % Sympto-Hormonal 2 (cervical fluid & hormonal monitor) 93% - 98% Billings 3 (cervical fluid) 89.5% -98.9% Creighton/FertilityCare Method 4 (cervical fluid) 83% % Cycle Data Cervical Fluid Basal Body Temperature Hormonal Monitor Private Classes Small Group Classes (with private follow-up) Online Classes Contraceptives 82% % Male Sterilization %- 99.9% Intrauterine Contraceptives % % Female Sterilization % % Depo-Provera 8 94% % Contraceptive Ring 9 91% % Contraceptive Patch 10 91% % Contraceptive Pill 11 91% % Diaphragm 12 88% - 94% Male Condom 13 82% - 98% * Range of effectiveness reflects the range of method efficacy in total use of a method, including incorrect/inconsistent use. Correct/consistent use of a method yields higher method efficacy and incorrect/inconsistent use yields lower method efficacy. English Spanish Classes & Follow-up Meetings n/a 1 Frank-Herrman, et al. The effectiveness of a fertility awareness based method to avoid pregnancy in relation to couples sexual behavior during the fertile time. Human Reproduction.2007;222(5): Fehring R, et al. Pilot evaluation of an internetbased natural family planning education and service program. Journal of Obstetrical, Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing. 2011;40(3) Field Trial of Billings ovulation method of Natural 4 Howard MP, et al. Pregnancy probabilities during use of the Creighton model of FertlityCare system. Archives of Family Medicine. 1999;8(5): Hatcher R., et al Contraceptive Technology. Ardent Media, Ibid. 10 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 11 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 12 Ibid. 5 * Includes both Sympto-Thermal and Sympto-Hormonal Methods Family Planning. Contraception. 1996;53(2): Ibid. 13 Ibid. 6