Natural Family Planning

The spouses’ union achieves the twofold end of marriage: the good of the spouses themselves and the transmission of life. These two meanings or values of marriage cannot be separated without altering the couple's spiritual life and compromising the goods of marriage and the future of the family.” (CCC 2363)

What is Natural Family Planning (NFP)

NFP is an umbrella term for methods of education to empower and equip women to understand their fertility. This knowledge allows them to assess their health, as well as to achieve the goals to avoid or achieve pregnancy.
Observation is taught in order to identify the natural occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle.
Some methods include use of a fertility monitor.
Married couples who use NFP to attempt a pregnancy, make use of the fertile window--the optimum time when conception is likely.
Married couples using NFP to postpone conception abstain from the marital union during the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No pharmaceuticals, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband aNFP is an umbrella term for methods of education to empower and equip women to understand their fertility. This knowledge allows them to assess their health, as well as to achieve the goals to avoid or achieve pregnancy.
Observation is taught in order to identify the natural occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle.
Some methods include use of a fertility monitor.
Married couples who use NFP to attempt a pregnancy, make use of the fertile window--the optimum time when conception is likely.
Married couples using NFP to postpone conception abstain from the marital union during the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No pharmaceuticals, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife. (Standards for Diocesan Natural Family Planning Ministry, p. 23)

NFP Methods

Creighton Model System: observations are based on a woman’s visible signs of change while managing her daily personal habits. The method is taught by a Creighton Model FertilityCare Practitioner that teaches independently or through a hospital system such as OSF. If you seek care through OSF be sure to mention your referral through the Church/Priest. The Diocese has a collaborative approach with OSF to provide all women seeking to master this method with free or reduced cost, regardless of insurance, unless directed to this service via your medical provider.

Marquette Model: uses a digital monitor that measures hormone changes in a woman’s daily urine. The method can be learned through a trained Marquette Teacher. Christine Gorman, Peoria, IL, fertility@stphils.com, or Annie Noe, at Medical Arts, Moline, IL 309-779-4285.

Sympto-Thermal (Couple to Couple League): observations are based on a woman’s visible signs of change while managing her daily personal habits as well as measuring of her daily temperature.

Billings Ovulation Method: observations are based on a woman’s visible signs of change while managing her daily personal habits. The method is taught by a Billings Instructor that teaches independently.

Natural Family Planning Teachers & Providers

Matt Faley
Chief of Mission
mfaley@cdop.org

Carla Wizieck
Office of Mission Support
cwizieck@cdop.org

Jenny Witt
Office of Mission Support
jwitt@cdop.org

Phone: (309) 671-1550 | Fax: (309) 671-1579 | Spalding Pastoral Center | 419 NE Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL. 61603