FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
What method of NFP do you teach?
I teach Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System.
Does Creighton Model measure BBT/use a thermometer?
Nope! There is no need to measure your Basal Body Temperature using Creighton Model.
How effective is Creighton Model at avoiding pregnancy?
Creighton Model is 96.8% effective at avoiding pregnancy if used according to instruction. This takes into account some user error in interpretation of their observations as well as method related pregnancies, which are pregnancies that occur even though a non-fertile day was used for intercourse.
Do you encourage spouses to work together on NFP?
From the very first session, I encourage couples to attend together and discuss their chart every single day. In this way and in many other ways I do encourage couples to work on this system together. While the couple's combined fertility is defined by the woman's cycle, it takes two equal partners to make this system work.
Have you read Humanae Vitae?
This was a required text not only in a college course I took at the University of Washington (yes, really) but also in getting certified to teach Creighton Model. I have it on my desk and reference it frequently for my own spiritual growth and to better serve you.
Are there any health risks with NFP?
There are no health risks. You are merely interpreting your body's signs of fertility and making decisions based on those signs. You are not putting your future fertility at risk nor your current health. If you have a serious health reason to avoid pregnancy, 96.8% effectiveness is very high and while it may mean you have more time abstaining (not forever), it is not impossible to use NFP with a serious medical reason to avoid pregnancy.
Is NFP just Catholic Birth Control?
Nope. Despite the high effectiveness for avoiding pregnancy, it is not even in the same category of birth control. Does it help you space pregnancies? Yes. It only helps space pregnancy by educating YOU on how to interpret your body's signals of fertility. YOU make the choice, not your birth control. So no, because you have the power to discern and are not ceding that power to a pill, patch, IUD, implant, condom, sponge, diaphragm, cap, you name it.
How long have you been teaching NFP?
I have been teaching Creighton Model for 5 years. I interned starting in 2016 and have been running my own little FertilityCare Center since 2018.
I'm not ready for children, should I use NFP?
Of course I'm going to say yes. This is more than planning whether or not to have kids at any given moment. Natural Family Planning is a YES to God, that you will give yourself fully to your spouse in the act of sex, withholding nothing, including your fertility and trust that He will provide no matter what happens. That's a lot, but that's also what you are signing up for when you decide to get married. The discussion of whether or not to have children is between you and your spouse, hopefully allowing God to speak into that decision as well.
I have irregular cycles, can I use NFP?
Yes you can. Not all methods work for someone who has irregular cycles, so you'd be correct in wondering. There are a few methods that allow for irregular cycles, Creighton Model is one of them. In the Introductory Session you find out why this is the case.
Is Creighton Model a method approved by the USCCB?
Yes, Creighton Model is approved by the USCCB, check it out!
How many days do you have to abstain with Creighton Model?
It truly depends on your cycle. Since Creighton Model is so versatile and can be used with any kind of cycle, there is no definite number of days you would have to abstain. In Creighton Model we don't follow patterns. Check out the Introductory Session and you will see how you will know if you are fertile or infertile on any given day.
Is NFP the same as Fertility Awareness?
Yes and no. The science is the same. Many methods of NFP are also methods of Fertility Awareness, meaning they tell us when we are fertile and when we are not and why. However, Natural Family Planning takes into account spirituality, how you discern with the help of God to plan your family. It is also the term used by the Catholic Church in describing different methods of Fertility Awareness. You can use whatever term you want and you're welcome here.
FERTILITY AWARENESS
What is Fertility Awareness?
Fertility Awareness is knowing the scientific reasons behind our times of fertility and infertility. Fertility Awareness is fully understanding that you can not get pregnant every day of your cycle, and that you don't have to be controlled by synthetic hormones or barriers to prevent pregnancy because your own homemade hormones do that just fine!
What method of Fertility Awareness do you teach?
I teach Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System.
Does Creighton Model measure BBT/use a thermometer?
Nope! There is no need to measure your Basal Body Temperature using Creighton Model.
How effective is Creighton Model at avoiding pregnancy?
Creighton Model is 96.8% effective at avoiding pregnancy if used according to instruction. This takes into account some user error in interpretation of their observations as well as method related pregnancies, which are pregnancies that occur even though a non-fertile day was used for intercourse.
Do you encourage spouses to work together on Fertility Awareness?
From the very first session, I encourage couples to attend together and discuss their chart every single day. In this way and in many other ways I do encourage couples to work on this system together. While the couple's combined fertility is defined by the woman's cycle and her small window of fertility, it takes two equal partners to make this system work.
Do you advocate for a barrier during times of fertility?
Not everyone I serve is Catholic, therefore not everyone believes that a barrier would be opposite of the unitive purpose of sex. I do not advocate for using a barrier like a condom, cervical cap, diaphragm, sponge or spermicide during times of fertility because it is not as effective as abstinence and also is not part of Creighton Model. When you decide to use a barrier method during times of fertility while also using Creighton Model, the effectiveness rate in avoiding pregnancy goes down. Way down. Also, if you want the unitive benefits of sex in your relationship, ditch the barrier. If you're not looking for the unitive benefits of sex, I would think real hard about what you're doing.
Are there any health risks with Fertility Awareness?
There are no health risks. You are merely interpreting your body's signs of fertility and making decisions based on those signs. You are not putting your future fertility at risk nor your current health. If you have a serious health reason to avoid pregnancy, 96.8% effectiveness is very high and while it may mean you have more time abstaining (not forever), it is not impossible to use Fertility Awareness with a serious medical reason to avoid pregnancy.
Is Fertility Awareness Natural Birth Control?
Nope. Despite the high effectiveness for avoiding pregnancy, it is not even in the same category of birth control. You are not controlling anything. Does it help you space and avoid pregnancies? Yes. It only helps space and avoid pregnancy by educating YOU on how to interpret your body's signals of fertility. YOU make the choice, not your birth control. So no, because you have the power to discern and are not ceding that power to a pill, patch, IUD, implant, condom, sponge, diaphragm or cap, it is not birth control.
How long have you been teaching Fertility Awareness?
I have been teaching Creighton Model for 5 years. I interned starting in 2016 and have been running my own little FertilityCare Center since 2018.
I'm not ready for children, should I use Fertility Awareness?
Of course I'm going to say yes. Fertility Awareness helps you avoid pregnancy, but also gives you a LOT of information about the state of your health. This is more than planning whether or not to have kids at any given moment. Is there a chance you can get pregnant when having sex? Yes, but that's also what you are signing up for when you decide to have sex. The discussion of whether or not to have children is between you and your spouse and you can mutually decide what do with the state of your combined fertility.
I have irregular cycles, can I use Fertility Awareness?
Please do! Fertility Awareness can help you get to the bottom of the cause of your irregular cycles. You can still space or avoid pregnancy with irregular cycles using Fertility Awareness.
What are health reasons to chart?
Some health concerns that people have that bring them to chart are: irregular cycles, no cycle, unexplained infertility, secondary infertility, hormone balance, premenstrual syndrome, random bleeding throughout their cycle, painful periods, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, coming off birth control, and many other reasons.
I have regular cycles and no apparent health issues, is charting for me?
If you are a woman of reproductive age who has ovaries, this is for you. If your cycles are regular, then you have the added benefit of being able to interpret them a little easier. Charting is a great health screening tool, where you can uncover underlying health issues that accompany even people with regular cycles.
I'm not Catholic, can I chart too?
You do not have to be Catholic to use Fertility Awareness or NFP. I serve people of all different faith backgrounds. Creighton Model comes from the Saint Paul VI Institute, which is a Catholic business. The materials were written from a Catholic perspective. That being said, the science is here for everyone, not just Catholics. If you have a cycle, you're in the right place.
Is Fertility Awareness the same as NFP?
Yes and no. The science is the same. Many methods of NFP are also methods of Fertility Awareness, meaning they tell us when we are fertile and when we are not and why. However, Natural Family Planning takes into account spirituality, how you discern with the help of God to plan your family. It is also the term used by the Catholic Church in describing different methods of Fertility Awareness. You can use whatever term you want and you're welcome here.
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
What is Nutritional Therapy?
Nutritional Therapy is the practice of evaluating each unique person to see what nutrients they need in their diet to promote optimal health. I focus on the 5 foundations of: Digestion, Blood Sugar Balance, Hydration, Essential Fatty Acid Balance, Mineral Status.
How do you complete an Initial Nutrition Consult?
I do an initial intake of:
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An in depth interview about health history and lifestyle.
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A Nutri-Q Assessment which gives us a good visual of how your body responds to your current method of eating.
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Finally I make lifestyle, food and maybe supplement recommendations that should last you months until you want to follow up again.
Is there a specific diet you promote?
Nope! I can help you discover what nutrients your body wants and help you make a plan of how to get them in your diet while still loving the food you're eating. No one way of eating works for everyone, I'd love to help you find what works for you.
Is there a diet you do not recommend?
You will find out very quickly after meeting with me that I do not recommend a diet devoid of animal products. If that is disturbing to your psyche, please move on. Animal products have proven again and again to be healthful and beautifully compliment the human body.
Are you for or against carbs?
I am pro carb. I am also pro fat, pro protein and pro absorbing your food. If carbs are not working for you, I will recommend reducing them, simple as that.
What Nutrition Schooling did you complete?
I was certified through the Nutritional Therapy Association back in 2015. It was a 9 month program that was online and in person. During that time I worked with 4 practice clients as well as classmates. I did this all during my first year (ever) postpartum, which makes me a superhero.
What is an NTP and FNTP?
NTP stands for Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, FNTP stands for Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. One is trained in the functional evaluation (I am) and one is not. Both are trained in the five foundations and all the sciency goodness about food in the human body.
What is your take on supplements?
First of all, I only recommend supplements if you want to incorporate them. I am not against them but I am also not of the mindset that everyone needs them. Nutrients are found in food. Some foods that have high vitamin and mineral content may not be palatable to some people and for them it is easier to supplement at least for a little while.
I don't really want to change the way I eat, is Nutritional Therapy for me?
Nutritional Therapy is for everyone, but you do need to have some flexibility to be successful. You will know if something isn't working for you and whenever you are ready to try something other than the status quo, contact me!
What diet do you recommend for PCOS?
Everyone is unique and there are several types of PCOS so once again, there is no one size fits all approach here. Usually I look at blood sugar handling before I jump on any low-carb recommendations, but generally ditching some sugar as well as improving stress response is a good start.
Why change what I'm eating?
First, if it's not working right now, changing it might be the only way to move past where you are. Second, everything you put in your body influences all the systems of your body. If you are putting in junk, you will get....well, a body's response to junk. Third, if you want to honor your body and treat it well, you will give it what it wants. Sometimes, that means changing.
My digestion is good, I'm not overweight and I have regular cycles. Do I need Nutritional Therapy?
Maybe not, but those three markers are not the only ways to determine health. Good digestion does not just mean pooping on schedule. Obesity vs. a "healthy" BMI is not how we measure health. Regular periods are not the same as regular cycles. So, if you know systems could be working better or you just want to see how you're doing and what habits to keep and which to ditch, Nutritional Therapy is for you!
PREGNANCY PREP
What is Pregnancy Prep?
Before trying to get pregnant, it can be helpful to get your body ready. I utilize both Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System of helping couples map out their fertility and the program Feed Your Fertile Body™ for teaching optimal nutrition for that special time. By understanding the fundamentals of fertility, and putting the best nutrients in your body, you give yourself and future generations a good start.
How does Feed Your Fertile Body™ work?
I will meet with you for 6 private classes over Zoom where we cover one Module at a time of the six module program. Each meeting runs about an hour long and during that time we cover the module and discuss in detail how that will fit into your life. I will send you at home study materials that you can keep forever, including many recipes!
How does Creighton Model prepare me for Pregnancy?
By learning about your cycle and learning to chart it, you will be able to:
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Find the times of highest fertility to time intercourse
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Understand the timing of conception
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Know when to take a pregnancy test
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Know if something is off in your gynecologic health
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Address any underlying conditions that may be making conception difficult
What books do you recommend for Pregnancy Prep?
What books do you recommend for Pregnancy?
What books do you recommend for Postpartum?
Folic Acid or Folate?
Methylfolate all day long friend. Don't settle for Folic Acid in your prenatal.
How soon should someone start working with you before trying to conceive?
At least 3 months is optimal but I make recommendations for pregnancy as well!
How long should I be taking a Prenatal before I try to concieve?
At least 3 months is optimal but longer if you can!
PAYMENT
What is the cost of learning Creighton Model?
The cost of one year of instruction is $580 with me.
The introductory session is $40, Materials are $60 and each follow up is $60. The teaching schedule has 8 follow ups in one year. Check out my payment options here!
What is the teaching schedule for Creighton Model?
Following the Introductory Session, we follow up every 2 weeks for 2 months (4 times) and then once at 3 Months, once at 6 months, once at 9 months and once at a year. After that, you may only need me if you become pregnant, give birth, have trouble conceiving, have a health issue pop up, or just need charts and stamps.
Do I have to follow the teaching schedule?
If you like that 96.8% effectiveness number then I suggest sticking to the schedule. If you want your chart to be really accurate for conception, I really suggest sticking to the schedule.
Do you offer discounts?
I do! I offer combined service discounts as well as package discounts! I also work with women and couples on a sliding scale based on need. Check out my prices for Creighton Model here, Nutritional Therapy here or just contact me!
What is the cost of Feed Your Fertile Body™?
The cost of the 6 follow ups and materials is $400, $60 per follow up and $40 for the workbook. Check out my payments options here!
Can I pay for your services with an HSA or FSA?
Yes you can! If you have any issues with it, please let me know!
Do you bill insurance?
I do not bill insurance. However, I do provide a Super Bill with my tax ID as well as all the proper codes for insurance companies to read. I can provide a claim form for you based on your insurance and you can submit your receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your current coverage. Call your insurance provider and ask about coverage amounts for nutrition counseling, natural family planning and fertility counseling.