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Women's
Services
FertilityCare
Creighton Model FertilityCare™
System
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What is
the CREIGHTON MODEL
FertilityCare™
System?
The CREIGHTON MODEL
FertilityCare™
System
teaches a woman how to identify the fertile and infertile days
in her cycle. The couple then uses this information to plan or
avoid a pregnancy. The System was developed at Creighton
University School of Medicine, in
Omaha,
Nebraska
and is based a woman's observation and tracking of a
characteristic cervical fluid that is present when she ovulates.
This characteristic discharge undergoes a progressive
change throughout the cycle that is easy for the woman to learn
to observe and to interpret. There are no
internal examinations, calendars, or test strips involved.
FertilityCare™
System
has been extensively researched over the past 20 years, and is
scientifically based. The system has a 99.6%
degree of accuracy to avoid pregnancy and a very high degree of
accuracy in achieving pregnancy. A Meta Analysis of five
effectiveness studies was published in the June 1998 issue of
the "Journal of Reproductive Medicine".
FertilityCare™
System
Facts.
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Regular cycles are not necessary to use the
FertilityCare™
System
Women ovulate during one 24-hour period in each cycle.
It is impossible for a woman to ovulate today and again a
week later. In the case of twins or triplets
the second and third eggs are released during the same 24-hour
period.
2. Women
will experience a very definite symptom when they ovulate, this is
the time when they are fertile and pregnancy can occur.
This symptom is a cervical fluid that is produced in the
cervix by the ovulatory hormone, estrogen.
3. This
symptom usually begins several days prior to ovulation and undergoes
a dramatic change once ovulation has passed. The
postovulatory hormone, progesterone, causes this change.
4. A
woman is taught the difference between this cervical fluid and other
types of vaginal discharges that women may experience.
5. By
observing and tracking this discharge in a very simple yet
standardized format, a woman can determine the beginning and end of
fertility regardless of cycle regularity.
6. A
woman, who is breastfeeding, coming off oral contraceptives, in long
cycles, or in peri menopause can use the method with a very high
degree of effectiveness.
It was often thought impossible to use a natural
method in these reproductive categories.
The
FertilityCare™
System
is more than Natural Birth Control
The
FertilityCare™
System
is so much more than natural birth
control. Birth control has only one purpose, preventing pregnancy.
The
FertilityCare™
System
while being highly effective to avoid
pregnancy is also very effective to achieve pregnancy.
As an additional benefit, couples report that their
communication increases. Women express
appreciation that this method also involves the man and that it
helps her to understand her body. A couple
learns to appreciate their combined fertility in a new way
encouraging the development of a new view and appreciation of human
sexuality.
The
FertilityCare™
System
Benefits Relationships.
If the intention is to avoid pregnancy, couples are
instructed on the importance of avoiding genital contact on the days
of fertility. However, a person (couple) is
sexual all of the time because our sexuality is part of who we are.
Therefore sexual contact, hugs, kisses, sharing, listening,
supporting, touching, etc., should never be avoided.
Couples learn SPICE, which stands for Spiritual, Physical,
Intellectual, Communicative, and Emotional aspects.
The
FertilityCare™
System
is the First Step to
NaPro
TECHNOLOGY®.
NaPro
TECHNOLOGY® is a new science that has
its roots in the CREIGHTON MODEL
FertilityCare™
System.
Physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives are able to
assist women with infertility, repeated miscarriages, PMS, Ovarian
cysts, menopause, and a variety of reproductive issues through
NaPro TECHNOLOGY®..
Professionals are taught how to read and interpret a woman's
chart. The standardized charting provides a tool to identify
indicators of luteal phase defects, limited mucus or dry cycles,
endometriosis, low progesterone or early drop of progesterone, and
ovarian cysts. When these are confirmed by the
healthcare practitioner, treatments can be prescribed that are
founded in an understanding of what is actually occurring in the
woman's cycle.
Certified
FertilityCare
Practitioners
Teach the
FertilityCare
System.
The
FertilityCare™
Practitioner
is an allied health professional
who meets the educational
standards of the AMERICAN
ACADEMY of
FertilityCare™
Professionals.
Practitioner training consists of a 13-month theoretical and
clinical experience that includes teaching couples while working
directly under supervision of a certified
FertilityCare™
Educator.
The educational curriculum was developed at Creighton
University School of Medicine,
Omaha,
Nebraska,
and is the only medical model of natural procreative technology that
meets the requirements of an Allied Health Profession.
The highest degree of satisfaction is achieved when a
qualified professional teaches a couple.
FertilityCare™
System
and Infertility.
The
FertilityCare™
System
provides new hope
for couples who are going through the experience of infertility or
low fertility. Not only does this method inform
couples of when they are most fertile but it also aids in
identifying factors that are not identified through other, more
often used, diagnostic methods. Because women can determine if they
are in their follicular or luteal phase, tests are more accurate and
can be scheduled according to the woman's naturally occurring cycles
of fertility and infertility, instead of the calendar.
The
FertilityCare™
System is Accessible to
Anyone. ™
The first
step to learning the method is to attend an Introductory Session.
A free Introductory Session is scheduled
on the first Tuesday of each month. Private
Sessions, for a nominal fee, can also be scheduled to accommodate an individual's needs
and schedule. The Introductory Session provides
the foundation for learning and using the
FertilityCare™
System. At the
end of the Session the couple decides if they want to continue with
instruction.
Couples are then provided a Personal Fertility Kit
that contains a book, chart, and stickers for the tracking of their
fertility. There is a $25.00 fee for the kit. At
this time the couple is scheduled for a Follow-Up appointment with a
Certified Practitioner. The Follow-Up sessions
are private appointments structured for the purpose of support,
learning, reviewing charting, and assessing instructions. There is a
fee of $40 per session. There are 8 Follow-up
sessions over a one-year period. The first four
meetings are scheduled two weeks apart
during the first two months of learning and then become less
frequent as learning progresses. All services are private and
confidential. Daytime and evening hours are available. Long distance
learning is available through phone, mail, fax, or e-mail when it is
not possible to come in person for instruction.
The method is affordable to anyone and is reimbursed by some HMOs
and third party payers.
Financial assistance is offered to
individuals who are unable to afford our services. If you would like
to make a financial gift to the OSF Saint Francis FertilityCare
Center, please click here.
Our Mission is to provide reliable
evidence-based FertilityCare TM services
consistent with the Gospel of Life while preserving the dignity of
every human person.
For more information on the CREIGHTON MODEL
FertilityCare™
System
visit the following web sites:
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