Family Life Office

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies.  These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. The accuracy of women’s observation has been validated by much scientific research

NFP is a holistic approach to family planning consistent with Church teachings on sexuality and responsible parenthood.  Both husband and wife understand their fertility, emotions, and family planning intentions (whether to have a baby or not).  Its successful use to avoid pregnancy relies upon a couple following what they know about the method and one another.  Successful use of NFP requires a couple to communicate.  In the daily charting of their fertility signs, couples quickly appreciate their shared responsibility for family planning.  Husbands are encouraged to “tune into” their wives’ cycles, and both spouses are encouraged to speak openly to each other about their sexual desires and their ideas on family size.

NFP promotes openness to the transmission of human life and recognizes the value of children.  Sexual relations are understood as love-giving as well as life-giving.  It is true family planning.  Because NFP respects the two-fold nature of sexual intercourse, it can enrich the bond between the husband and wife.  For these reasons it is an acceptable form of family planning for people of various religious and philosophical beliefs.

So how does one gain a working knowledge of NFP?  By first deciding what methodology best suites your needs.  Listed below are the various methods presently being offered in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) (Couple to Couple League) has been around  since the 1950’s. The Sympto-Thermal Method charts the primary signs of fertility (cervical mucus and  Basal-temperature).  This  methodology is based   on work of various scientists including, Billings, Doering, Keefe, Prem, Roetzer, and Vollman. 

The Ovulation Method (OM) of Natural Family Planning has been around since the ‘60’s.  This method makes use of the observation of cervical mucus to determine fertility and infertility.  This method was first developed by Drs. John  and Evelyn Billings in Australia.  Although several variations of OM exist, OM   continues to be popularly referred to as the “Billings Method”.

Creighton Method –is the newest ovulation method.  It too relies upon the observation of a sign-the discharge of cervical mucus—that is essential to human fertility.

Listed below are teaching couples presently serving in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  Please feel free to contact the one in your local area for time and places of the next class.

Couple to Couple League:
 

One More Soul: 

Billings Method:
Dr. David & Lori Rohrer
1372 Sharpsburg Road
Ft. Recovery, OH  45846
419-375-4159

Creighton Method:
Sylvia Corson
513-851-1188
smcorson@fuse.net

Further Information
The following are national NFP teacher training organizations.  These organizations maintain lists of certified teachers: 

Diocesan Development Program for Natural Family Planning

Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities

National Conference of Catholic Bishops

3211 4^th St., N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20017

202-541-3240/3070

202-541-3054 FAX

e-mail: nfp@nccbuscc.org

_______________

Billings Ovulation Method Association [OM]

Kay Ek, President

316 North 7^th Street

St. Cloud, MN  56303

(888) 637-6371

(320) 252-2100

(320) 252-2877 FAX

Couple to Couple League [STM]

P.O. Box 111184

Cincinnati, Ohio  45211-1184

or:

4290 Delhi Pike

Cincinnati, OH  45238

(513) 471-2000

1-800-745-8252

(513) 557-2449 FAX

Family of the Americas Foundation [OM]

Mercedes Wilson Executive Director

P.O. Box 1170

Dunkirk, MD  20754

(301) 627-3346

(301) 627-0847 FAX

Northwest Family Services, Inc. [STM]

Rose Fuller, Executive Director

4805 N.E. Glisan Street

Portland, OR  97213

(503) 215-6377

(503) 215-6940 FAX

Pope Paul VI Institute for the

Study of Human Reproduction [OM]

Thomas Hilgers, M.D.,

Executive Director

6901 Mercy Rd.

Omaha, NE  68106

(402) 390-6600

(402) 390-9851 FAX

One More Soul

1846 North Main St.

Dayton, OH  45405

800-307-7685

(937) 279-5433

www.OMSoul.com

OMSoul@OSMoul.com