Natural Family Planning, or NFP, is the process of achieving or avoiding pregnancy by observing your natural signs of fertility. Your body exhibits a number of signs and symptoms throughout your menstrual cycle that can help you determine whether you are in a fertile phase of your cycle or not. Using this information, couples who plan to avoid pregnancy are advised to abstain during the fertile phase of the woman’s menstrual cycle. For couples who hope to achieve pregnancy, intercourse is recommended during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.
The most reliable ways to track fertility throughout the menstrual cycle are mucus observations, tracking basal body temperature, and tracking urinary hormone levels. There are a number of NFP methods currently available to couples, and each method differs in the specific way that it identifies the fertile window and the days of abstinence required. Some methods of NFP only observe one biological indicator of fertility throughout the woman’s cycle - such as a mucus-based method. Some methods track a combination of biological indicators of fertility through the cycle, such as a symptothermal method.
The Marquette Method of NFP integrates multiple biological indicators of fertility, when appropriate, to optimize detection of the fertile window. What sets the Marquette Method apart from most other methods is its incorporation of hormone monitoring and simplifying sometimes ambiguous signs of fertility.
When using the Marquette Method of NFP, you can track your hormone levels through your cycle using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor, together with the Marquette Method algorithm, to identify the fertile window in your cycle. The Marquette Method of NFP does not require that you track the symptoms that your hormones exhibit, such as cervical mucus or basal body temperature, but does have specific protocols in place if you choose to track the symptoms of your hormones either on their own, or in addition to your urinary hormone levels. The Marquette Method provides clear and objective hormone readings on the Clearblue fertility monitor, taking much of the guesswork out of NFP.
All of the instructors who teach the Marquette Method of NFP are healthcare professionals and will work with each client individually to custom fit the method in a way that works best with their needs.
Will I Benefit from Taking an NFP Class?
Every woman will benefit from taking a class that teaches her how her menstrual cycle functions. By learning your fertility signs, you will come to understand how these signs tell you when your body is preparing for ovulation, when you ovulate and when to expect your next menses. Understanding your menstrual cycle will empower you in understanding your health, give you confidence in family planning and assist you in being your own health advocate
Couples will come to understand and appreciate the gift of their combined fertility. NFP allows couples to approach their family planning together as a team. Respecting how God designed the male and female body, the couple will make decisions to cooperate with His perfect design. Understanding their fertility allows couples to work with this knowledge to follow the plan they have discerned for their family. This draws couples closer as they develop a greater appreciation for one another and respect for the gift of their fertility.
What if I Have Irregular Cycles?
Women with irregular cycles will benefit from Natural Family Planning. By learning how to monitor your fertility, you will gain a better understanding of your cycle and how to identify when you are ovulating. Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), in perimenopause or experiencing other cycle irregularities will benefit from the knowledge they gain tracking their fertility signs with the Marquette Method of NFP.