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What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) or Fertility Awareness are the general titles for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies.
NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.

Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving (unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they support God’s design for married love!

Archbishop William E. Lori’s 2018 pastoral letter on the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae offers spiritual insights into NFP. Read the full letter here!

Benefits of Natural Family Planning

100% Natural with No Side Effects

97-99% Effective in Avoiding Pregnancy

Enhances Communication with Partner

Inexpensive

Can Help Diagnose Reproductive Health Issues:

Infertility, Menstrual Cramps, Endometriosis, Etc. 

Benefits of Natural Family Planning

100% Natural with No Side Effects

97-99% Effective in Avoiding Pregnancy

Enhances Communication with Partner

Inexpensive

Can Help Diagnose Reproductive Health Issues:

Infertility, Menstrual Cramps, Endometriosis, Etc. 

FERTILITY AWARENESS METHODS

Cervical Mucus Method

Sympto-Thermal Method

Sympto-Hormonal Method

These videos are to raise awareness. Contact an instructor to learn more and find the right method for you.

Cervical Mucus Methods

Methods that observe cervical mucus are commonly called the “Ovulation Method” or “OM.”

In NFP education, a woman learns how to identify the normal, healthy, cervical mucus which indicates the days that sexual intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy. 

BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD ASSOCIATION

Online courses: learnnfponline.com

CREIGHTON MODEL FERTILITY CARE (TM)

Olga Ballengee
[email protected]
443-945-9473
English or Polish
(Anne Arundel or Skype)
–
Cathy Reilly, RN
[email protected]
410.852.2089
annapolisareafertilitycare.com

Therese Rodriguez, RN, CFCP
gaithersburgfertilitycare.org
–
Julie Tomko, CFCP
[email protected]
410-692-0789
Harford and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City

FAMILY OF THE AMERICAS

Marilyn Camden
[email protected]
410-838-6514
Hickory, MD

Megan Hermosillo
[email protected]
240.398.0675
Central Maryland

SYMPTO-THERMAL METHODS

Methods that observe several signs of fertility and cross-check two or more of the signs to pinpoint ovulation are commonly called the “Sympto-Thermal Method” or “STM.”

STM typically combines charting of the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus with other optional indicators, such as changes in the cervix and secondary fertility signs. 

COUPLE-TO-COUPLE LEAGUE

Mark and Kathy Schmidt
[email protected]
410-747-5611
Catonsville, MD

Melissa and Santiago Solares
[email protected]
301-262-8426
Bowie, MD

Online course: ccli.org

DIOCESAN CERTIFIED

Trevor and Becky Needham
[email protected]
215-206-8679
Catonsville, MD

Sheila Short
410-368-2810
Saint Agnes Hospital
Catonsville, MD

SYMPTOPRO FERTILITY EDUCATION

Online courses: SymptoPro.org

SYMPTO-HORMONAL METHODS

The method that observes several signs of fertility and adds the use of ovulation predictor kit (OPK) or fertility monitor is called the “Sympto-Hormonal Method” or “SHM.”

Similar to STM, this approach adds the self-detection of reproductive hormones in the urine with the assistance of an OPK or fertility monitor.

MARQUETTE MODEL

Sarah Gilpatrick, RN, BSN
[email protected]

https://www.mmnfp.com/sarahgilpatrick

Sara Shaffer, CNM
[email protected]
(760) 585-8128
Annapolis, MD

Online courses:

Whole Mission- www.mmnfp.com

Marquette- nfp.marquette.edu

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