Natural family planning has gained popularity in recent years as more couples seek holistic and non-invasive methods for family planning and achieving pregnancy. Among the most effective and respected methods is FertilityCare, which leverages the Creighton Model System to help couples understand and work with their natural fertility. FertilityCare is a trademarked system that empowers individuals to take charge of their reproductive health.

Developed from the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, this method is used by couples worldwide for natural pregnancy, overall reproductive health, and family planning. By focusing on identifying key biological markers and understanding the body’s natural fertility cycle, the system offers a comprehensive, scientifically-backed approach to achieving pregnancy naturally.

Calgary Fertility Clinic

Choosing a Calgary Fertility Clinic withFertilityCare and the Creighton Model is not just about planning for a family; it’s about empowering yourself with knowledge and understanding of your body. By leveraging this scientifically backed, natural system, couples can make informed decisions about their reproductive health and family planning.

In this blog post, we will explore what makes FertilityCare and the Creighton Model so effective and why they could be the right choice for couples looking to conceive naturally. We’ll explore the core principles behind these systems, their unique benefits, and how you can get started on your journey toward a more natural and informed approach to family planning.

What is FertilityCare?

FertilityCare is a comprehensive system that empowers individuals and couples to understand their fertility and reproductive health. It utilizes the Creighton Model, a scientifically-based natural family planning system that enables women to monitor their fertility by observing and charting specific biological markers. Developed by Dr. Thomas Hilgers in the 1970s, FertilityCare has grown to become a trusted method for natural fertility management.

Core Principles of FertilityCare:

  1. Observation and Charting: Women are taught to observe and record key fertility signs, such as cervical mucus patterns, daily on a chart. These patterns offer insight into their fertility status.
  2. Education and Empowerment: The system educates women and couples on how to interpret these signs accurately, providing them with control and understanding of their reproductive health.
  3. Personalized Support: Couples receive guidance from certified FertilityCare practitioners, who offer customized advice and address specific concerns related to fertility.
  4. NaProTECHNOLOGY Integration: FertilityCare seamlessly integrates with NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology), a medical science that works cooperatively with the natural reproductive cycle to treat various reproductive and gynecological conditions.

How FertilityCare Works:

  • Initial Consultation: Couples or individuals meet with a certified FertilityCare practitioner who explains the system and provides educational materials.
  • Learning Sessions: Participants attend a series of teaching sessions to learn how to observe and chart their fertility markers accurately.
  • Charting and Interpretation: Women begin daily charting their cervical mucus patterns, which the practitioner then reviews.
  • Follow-Up: Regular follow-up sessions ensure accurate charting and provide an opportunity to address concerns and refine the interpretation of charts.

The Role of a FertilityCare Practitioner: FertilityCare practitioners are specially trained professionals who guide couples through the process. They:

  • Offer personalized instruction and continuous support.
  • Help interpret charts and provide insights into potential reproductive health issues.
  • Collaborate with medical professionals when necessary, especially in cases involving NaProTECHNOLOGY treatments.

Who Can Benefit from FertilityCare?

  • Couples Trying to Conceive Naturally: It clearly explains the most fertile days in a woman’s cycle.
  • Couples Seeking to Postpone Pregnancy: The system is also effective for couples who wish to avoid pregnancy naturally.
  • Women Seeking to Understand Their Reproductive Health: The detailed charts can reveal signs of underlying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or hormonal imbalances.

By offering a personalized, scientifically backed approach to natural fertility management, FertilityCare and the Creighton Model empower couples to take charge of their reproductive health and family planning journey.

 

What is the Creighton Model?

The Creighton Model FertilityCare System is a natural family planning method that empowers women and couples to understand their fertility cycles through observing and charting key biological markers. Developed in the 1970s by Dr. Thomas Hilgers, this system is grounded in rigorous scientific research and has become an integral part of FertilityCare.

How the Creighton Model Works:

  • Observing Biological Markers: Women monitor changes in cervical mucus patterns daily, which indicate their fertility status. The observations include:
    • Cervical Mucus Quality:Noting cervical mucus’s consistency, colour, and stretchiness.
    • Dryness and Bleeding:Tracking dry days and menstrual bleeding.
  • Charting: Women record their observations on a standardized chart, which is then used to identify patterns that can indicate fertility phases or reproductive health issues.
  • Identifying Fertile and Infertile Days: By recognizing the changes in cervical mucus patterns, women can pinpoint their fertile window and accurately determine days of fertility or infertility.

The Science Behind the Creighton Model:

  • Hormonal Correlation: The Creighton Model’s approach is based on the correlation between cervical mucus changes and hormone levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone influence cervical mucus quality, providing reliable indicators of fertility.
  • Standardized Observations: The system uses standardized guidelines for charting and interpreting biological markers, making the data consistent and comparable.

The Creighton Model vs. Other Natural Family Planning Methods:

  • Billings Ovulation Method: Similar to the Creighton Model but less standardized in its charting guidelines.
  • Sympto-Thermal Method: This method incorporates basal body temperature and cervical mucus observation, which can be more complex to monitor accurately.
  • Marquette Model: Combines cervical mucus observation with hormonal monitoring using fertility monitors.

Benefits of the Creighton Model:

  1. Accuracy: Offers a high level of accuracy in identifying fertile and infertile phases, with studies showing a method effectiveness rate of 99.5% when used to avoid pregnancy.
  2. Health Insights: Provides valuable insights into a woman’s reproductive health, helping identify conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or luteal phase defects.
  3. Customizable: Can be tailored to meet individual needs, whether trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy.
  4. Medical Integration: Seamlessly integrates with NaProTECHNOLOGY, allowing medical professionals to diagnose and treat underlying reproductive issues.

Role of a FertilityCare Practitioner in the Creighton Model:

  • Education and Support: Practitioners educate women and couples on how to observe and chart their fertility signs.
  • Chart Interpretation: They help interpret the charts to identify fertility phases accurately.
  • Medical Referral: They can refer couples to professionals specializing in NaProTECHNOLOGY if specific reproductive health issues are identified.

The Creighton Model FertilityCare System offers a scientifically backed, natural, and empowering approach to family planning. By providing women and couples with knowledge and control over their fertility, this system enhances reproductive health and fosters stronger relationships through shared understanding and communication.