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

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)

Beth Berard, CFCP
734-649-3061
bethberard.cfc@gmail.com
www.dcfertilitycare.com

–
Julie Tomko, CFCP
jtomkoNFP@aol.com
410-913-6710
Harford and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City
Virtual Availability

Therese Rodriguez, R.N., C.F.C.P.
MetroDCFertilityCareRN@gmail.com
301-512-7451
www.metroDCfertilitycareRN.com

FAMILY OF THE AMERICAS

Marilyn Camden
marilyn.camden@gmail.com
410-838-6514
Hickory, MD

Megan Hermosillo
megan.nfp@gmail.com
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

Melissa and Santiago Solares
mbalcer7337@hotmail.com
301-262-8426
Bowie, MD

Online course: ccli.org

DIOCESAN CERTIFIED

Trevor and Becky Needham
needhamsnfp@gmail.com
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
sarah.gilpatrick@mmnfp.com

https://www.mmnfp.com/sarahgilpatrick

Patricia Cudjoe, MD
email: totustuusnfp@gmail.com
website: https://vitivghiut.timetap.com
phone :410-291-8204

Online courses:

Whole Mission- www.mmnfp.com

Marquette- nfp.marquette.edu