Natural Family Planning
SERVICES
Natural Family Planning Ministry
ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
617-746-5803 . bostoncatholic.org/nfp
Archdiocese of Boston
“NFP teaches a couple to reliably track their fertility
in a way that brings them closer to each other and to God.”
3 BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
What is
OF FERTILIT Y & INFERTILIT Y
Natural Family Planning?
Natural
One biological marker that can be
Planning
monitored is the fluid released from
(NFP) is an umbrella term for
the cervix. This cervical fluid can be
methods
naturally
felt and seen externally. A woman
occurring biological markers of
learns to identify a changing cervical
the fertile and infertile phases of
fluid pattern, to identify the start,
a woman’s menstrual cycle to
peak and end of the fertile phase of
achieve or avoid pregnancy.
the cycle.
Modern
Family
Cervical Fluid
that
NFP
use
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
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.
interpreting one or all of the
Fertility Hormones
biological markers of fertility and
The levels of two key fertility
infertility forms the basis for all
hormones can be simply monitored
methods of NFP.
by use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility
Monitor®. These two hormones are
used to identify the start, peak and
1
end of the fertile time.
Providers of
NFP Instruction
&Teacher Training
Cross Check Method
Archdiocese of Boston
617-746-5803
bostoncatholic.org/nfp
Creighton Fertility Care Method
creightonmodel.com
Sympto-Thermal Method
Couple to Couple League
800-745-8252
ccli.org
Billings Ovulation Method
651-699-8139
boma-usa.org
Sympto-Hormonal Method
Marquette University
414-288-3854
marquette.edu/nursing/NFP
Other Resources
Pope Paul VI Institute
for Reproductive Health
402-390-6600
popepaulvi.com &
www.naprotechnology.com
Provides training for health care
professionals in NaproTechnology.
United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops - NFP
202-541-3240
usccb.org (enter “NFP” in search)
Provides resources on NFP to
individuals, NFP teachers and
diocesan NFP coordinators.
National Catholic Bioethics Center
215-877-2660
ncbcenter.org
Provides research, publications,
education and consultations that
promote Church teaching in health
care and the life sciences.
One More Soul
800-307-7685
onemoresoul.com
Provides resources on NFP, chastity,
sexuality, marriage, the blessings of
children, and sterilization reversal.
Natural Family Planning Ministry - Archdiocese of Boston
617-746-5803
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
Enroll Today!
How Do I Learn NFP?
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.
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) 746-5803.
2 Visit bostoncatholic.org/NFP for the schedule of NFP instructional programs and registration contact information.
“We look at NFP not as a form of birth control,
but as a lifestyle in cooperation with God”
Responsible &
GenerousLove
Couples marry to express their
9
“We're leaving the course with valuable information
that we will use for the rest of our married life.”
Responsible
&
generous
love
includes knowledge of and respect for
fertility. NFP provides scientific and
statistically
verifiable
knowledge
committed love, be united and have a
regarding the signs of fertility and infer-
family together. These reasons for
tility, the natural laws that govern our
marriage are also the meanings of the
fertility.
marital act that is, sexual intercourse.
Responsible
&
generous
love
The Church recognizes that there are
involves self-mastery. NFP fosters
legitimate reasons for
regulating
self-control and helps couples accept
pregnancy. Church teaching does not
more fully the responsibility God gives
say that a couple must intend to have
them with regard to procreation.
a child in each and every marriage act.
Finally, responsible & generous
Couples are asked to be both respon-
love must be exercised through moral
sible and generous in welcoming
means. Once a couple has chosen to
children.
engage in the marital act and exchange
Responsible
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.
sible decisions regarding family size.
&
generous
love
their love, they must respect its creative
includes the consideration of the factors
potential and not frustrate it through
or conditions which have a bearing on
contraceptive means. The life-giving
family size. When considering physical,
potential of the marital act must not be
economic, psychological and sociologi-
deliberately
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
to society, in that order. NFP assists
render the act sterile, incomplete or to
couples in making generous and respon-
prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
removed.
With
NFP,
2
Specialized Services
“It’s great, nothing comes between the couple and this is
what God intends. It strengthens the marital bond.”
Why Choose
NFP?
NFP use safeguards the meaning
of the marital act so each act:
• accurately expresses and
What is
the Difference
designed to meet the needs of the
woman’s prior experience with NFP, the
& CONTRACEPTION?
breastfeeding mother. Women in the
program consists of one or two instruc-
program have the option of observing
tional follow-up sessions. Additional
cervical fluid, basal body temperature
chart follow-up is available through the
and using the Clearblue Easy Fertility
review of six regular cycles at no
Monitor™ alone, or in combination, to
additional charge.
faithful, fruitful and sacrifi
is Different
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.
3
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)
postpartum
women
is
The program is conducted via phone,
BETWEEN NFP
The Purpose of NFP
marriage
The NFP instructional program for
email and/or Skype. Depending on the
• is an expression of free, total,
• is a sign of the sacrament of
P O S T PA R T U M W O M E N
specifically
renews the wedding vows
cial love
NFP PROGRAM FOR
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
1
breastfeeding protocol that includes
Postpartum Transition Protocol for Avoiding
use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility
Pregnancy,” Journal of American Board of
Monitor.™
Family Medicine. 2012: 26: 35-44.
Bouchard, T., et al. “Efficacy of a New
A couple using NFP to postpone
pregnancy adjusts the timing of the
marital act.
“NFP has fostered a closeness with my wife
and better teamwork as a couple.”
8
Specialized Services
NAPROTECHNOLO GY FOR INFERTILIT Y
& REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS
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
and surgical treatments that cooperate
completely with the reproductive
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
and Creighton/ Fertility Care NFP
teachers.
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 employ-
procreative nature and meaning. In
ing this power in a given cycle. The use
NFP use, whatever fertility is naturally
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.
result in pregnancy, nor have a procre-
couple takes deliberate action before,
ative nature and meaning. In contracep-
during or after intercourse to render sex
tive use, whatever fertility is naturally
sterile, incomplete or prevent implanta-
present is not given and is rejected in
• Postpartum depression
tion of a fertilized egg. The use of
each act of intercourse.
• Hormonal abnormalities
contraception is a choice to deliberately
• Chronic discharges
impede the “good” of new life.
• Repetitive miscarriage
services of trained medical doctors
Due to God’s design, naturally
ductive system. In each marital act the
maintain gynecological health and
Technology is delivered through the
acknowledges the creative power of
course that are contracepted may not
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
marriage and the marriage act. NaPro-
is Different
the marital act itself and/or the repro-
• Ovarian Cysts
correct the reproductive disorder,
dignity of woman, the integrity of
fertile window. In NFP use, the couple
The Nature & Meaning
Due to human action, acts of inter-
• Irregular or abnormal bleeding
reproductive system. It respects the
There is no marital act during the
A couple using contraception alters
system. NaProTechnology seeks to
sustain the procreative potential of the
“I feel closer to God knowing
that this is the way He designed us.”
For more information, please visit
www.naprotechnology.com, or contact
the Natural Family Planning Office at
(617) 746-5803.
“NFP is helping us to communicate our thoughts and feelings
and is giving us an even greater appreciation of fertility”
7
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.
4
Comparison Chart
Range of Effectiveness*
(Marquette University)
Sympto-Hormonal
Billings Ovulation
(Couple to Couple League)
Sympto-Thermal
& C O M M O N LY U S E D C O N T R AC E P T I V E S
Creighton/
Fertility Care
IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
(Archdiocese of Boston)
O F NAT U R A L FA M I LY P L A N N I N G M E T H O D S
Cross Check*
O F NAT U R A L FA M I LY P L A N N I N G M E T H O D S
Cycle Data
Cervical Fluid
Basal Body Temperature
Hormonal Monitor
Private Classes
Small Group Classes
(with private follow-up)
Natural Family Planning Methods
83% - 99.8%
Sympto-Thermal1 (cervical fluid & BBT)
Sympto-Hormonal2 (cervical fluid & hormonal monitor)
Billings3 (cervical fluid)
Creighton/FertilityCare Method4 (cervical fluid)
98.4% - 99.6%
93% - 98%
89.5% -98.9%
83% - 99.8%
Contraceptives
82% - 99.9%
Male Sterilization5
Intrauterine Contraceptives6
Female Sterilization7
Depo-Provera8
Contraceptive Ring9
Contraceptive Patch10
Contraceptive Pill11
Diaphragm12
Male Condom13
99.8%- 99.9%
99.8% - 99.8%
99.5% - 99.5%
94% - 99.8%
91% - 99.7%
91% - 99.7%
91% - 99.7%
88% - 94%
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.
Online Classes
1
English
Spanish
Classes &
Follow-up Meetings
5
4
6
3
4-7
n/a
* Includes both Sympto-Thermal and Sympto-Hormonal Methods
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):1310-1319.
2
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) 281-291.
3
Field Trial of Billings ovulation method of Natural
Family Planning. Contraception. 1996;53(2):69-74.
4
Howard MP, et al. Pregnancy probabilities
during use of the Creighton model of FertlityCare™
system.
Archives
of
Family
Medicine.
1999;8(5):391-402.
5
Hatcher R., et al Contraceptive Technology.
Ardent Media, 2011.
6
10
Ibid.
Ibid.
7
11
Ibid.
Ibid.
8
12
Ibid.
Ibid.
9
13
Ibid.
Ibid.
6