Natural Family Planning

WELCOME!

My name is Kim Kondrat and I am excited to share with you the Creighton Model Fertility Care system, a natural family planning method that can help you avoid or achieve pregnancy, or to monitor your reproductive and gynecologic health.

I am a registered nurse (B.S.N.), a Fertility Care Practitioner intern, and a personal user of this method.  I believe that everyone can be helped with the Creighton Model, even if you have irregular cycles.

What is Natural Family Planning (NFP)?

NFP is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. NFP is not a contraceptive--i.e., it does nothing to work against conception.  Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle." NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child.  By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife. Fertility is viewed as a reality to live, not a problem to be solved. As a method of family planning, NFP

· Calls for mutual responsibility by husband and wife
· Requires the couple to communicate
· Is based on scientific research
· Treats each menstrual cycle as unique and teaches a couple to observe their signs of fertility · on a day-to-day basis
· Has no harmful side effects
· Is effective for achieving, spacing, or limiting pregnancy
· Can be used in special circumstances--such as, post-partum, during breastfeeding, and premenopause
· Is low cost
· Can be used throughout the reproductive cycle

Is this the "Rhythm Method"?

No!  The “rhythm” or “calendar“ method was developed in the 1930’s and was based on the theory that the time of ovulation could be determined by calculating previous menstrual cycles. This method often proved inaccurate because of the unique nature of each woman's menstrual cycle: some women have very irregular cycles and almost all women have a cycle of unusual length once in a while.

The Creighton Model was developed by Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Creighton University School of Medicine, in Omaha, Nebraska.  Research leading to the development of the Creighton Model System began in 1976 and the system was first fully described in 1980.

Who can use NFP?

A woman need not have "regular" cycles.  NFP education helps couples to fully understand their combined fertility, thereby helping them to either achieve or avoid a pregnancy.   The key to the successful use of NFP is cooperation and communication between husband and wife--a shared commitment.

Does it work? 

When couples understand the methods and are motivated to follow them, NFP is up to 99% successful in spacing or limiting births.  The effectiveness of NFP depends upon the spouses' following the rules of the method according to their family planning intention (i.e., achieving or limiting pregnancy). Those who are strongly motivated to avoid pregnancy and follow the method-defined rules are very effective in meeting their goal. 

(Used with permission from the NFP Program, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.)

To learn more, or to schedule a free introductory session, please contact me at kimkondrat@hotmail.com or  (360) 704-9162.
 
Kim Kondrat, R.N., B.S.N., Fertility Care Practitioner Intern

Upcoming intro sessions:

Saturday, March 26, 2011, 10 am, Childcare available in Nursery, Sacred Heart, Lacey

Some links that may be helpful for you:

NaProTECHNOLOGY— A Major Breakthrough In Monitoring and Maintaining a Woman's Reproductive and Gynecological Health  www.naprotechnology.com

CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System   www.creightonmodel.com

FertilityCare™ Centers of America  www.fertilitycare.org

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Natural Family Planning website: 
www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/index.shtml