Natural Family Planning

of the Brainerd Lakes Area

Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System

The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System first began in 1976. Research on this system has continued to the present day, and it has an extraordinary degree of scientific understanding and validity. This system relies upon standardized observation and charting of biological markers that are essential to a woman's health and fertility.

The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System works by charting patterns in cervical mucus in a standardized format that can be read and understood by anyone who is familiar with the system. As ovulation approaches, a woman identifies the presence of cervical mucus. During a fertile phase, the cervical mucus starts out as sticky and cloudy or tacky. As ovulation approaches, the cervical mucus eventually becomes very clear, stretchy, and lubricative, and the amount of cervical mucus observed increases. An infertile phase in a cycle is marked by dry days where no cervical mucus discharge is present. The patterns of cervical mucus (the presence or absence of cervical mucus along with characteristics, such as color, stretchability and how often it is observed) are the biomarkers that tell a couple when they are naturally fertile or infertile. A couple can easily use this system to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

The patterns that are observed in a woman's cycle can also be used to detect changes or abnormalities in a woman's health. The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System system has brought about a new woman's health science called NaProTechnology (natural procreative technology) from the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha Nebraska. The Pope Paul VI Institute and the science of NaProTechnology was founded by Dr. Hilgers who is internationally known for his work with natural fertility regulation and reproductive medicine. NaProTechnology provides reproductive medical and surgical techniques that work with and support the reproductive system with the utmost respect for life and the couple's fertility. Couples experiencing infertility can chart their cycles and then work with a doctor familiar with the system to identify issues that may be the cause of irregular cycles or infertility. They can work to identify morally acceptable options to deal with those issues.

When a couple receives proper instruction and uses the system correctly, the Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System has proven to be over 99 percent effective in avoiding pregnancy and has a high effectiveness rate for those wishing to achieve pregnancy.

Billings Ovulation Method

The Billings Ovulation method was developed by Australian physicians, Drs. John and Evelyn Billings. It is a simple and highly effective method of NFP. The Billings Ovulation method works by the couple charting patterns in the woman's cycle. Once a couple charts these patterns, they are quickly able to identify the window of fertility in each cycle. This becomes apparent as the woman goes about her daily routine, recognizing the presence or absence of cervical mucus as a result of changing hormone levels.

The Billings Ovulation Method is based on the science of the woman's body. The high effectiveness rates of the method are dependent upon scientific method, authentic teaching, and follow up by certified teachers. Based on over 50 years of ongoing scientific research, when used correctly, the Billings Ovulation method has proven to be over 99 percent effective in postponing pregnancy and has a high effectiveness rate for those wishing to achieve pregnancy.

Other Methods

There are several other methods of NFP that are not taught by Natural Family Planning of the Brainerd Lakes Area. Certified instructors are used to teach both the Creighton Model and Billings Ovulation method.

Choosing a Method

The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System and Billings Ovulation Method are both highly effective because they are taught by certified instructors. It is important that you have resources and the support available to learn a system correctly. Instructors explain the system, work with you to learn how to chart, answer questions, and perform follow up visits to make sure you are charting correctly.

The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System and the Billings Ovulation Method can work effectively for women in all circumstances, whether you are coming off birth control pills or other types of contraceptives, breastfeeding, weaning, or nearing menopause. The rules for these methods of NFP can be used to manage and monitor fertility in all cases.

If you are experiencing irregular cycles or infertility, both the Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System and the  Billings Ovulation Method can help to identify signs and symptoms of what could be causing issues. Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System uses a standardized approach to charting cycles that can easily be read by an instructor or any doctor that is familiar with the charting system and NaProTechnology to help identify problems and possible solutions.