Natural Family Planning

Natural Family Planning

Indeed, the Lord Jesus, when He prayed to the Father, "that all may be one. . . as we are one" (John 17:21-22) … He implied a certain likeness between the union of the divine Persons… This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. –Gaudium et Spes

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. No drugs, 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. A couple learns a method of NFP together from a certified instructor, and are thus able to achieve or avoid pregnancy based on their discernment for their family.

How can I get in touch with a Natural Family Planning instructor in our diocese?

Learn with local instructors in-person or find instruction online to learn at home.

Diocese of Toledo Natural Family Planning Teachers

What are the benefits of using NFP?

In NFP, both spouses are taught to understand the nature of fertility and work with it, either to plan a pregnancy or avoid a pregnancy. Couples who use NFP soon learn that they have a shared responsibility for family planning.

Other benefits include:

  • Low cost
  • No harmful side effects
  • Effective for achieving, spacing, or limiting pregnancy
  • Can be used throughout a woman’s reproductive life
  • Marriage enrichment and mutual understanding
  • Appreciation for the value of children
  • Fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person
  • Morally acceptable


How effective are natural family planning methods for avoiding pregnancy?

When couples understand the methods and are motivated to follow them, NFP is up to 99% successful in spacing or limiting births. Those who are highly motivated to avoid pregnancy and follow the method-defined rules are very effective in meeting their goal.

You can view stories of couples who use NFP and how NFP has impacted their marriages by visiting Couple to Couple League.

Natural Family Planning in the Diocese of Toledo

Couple to Couple League/Sympto-Thermal Method

Name

City

Phone

Email

Sean & Laura Beeson

Crestline (Mansfield)

419.569.5354

beesonlady@gmail.com

Jeff & Bridget Bockey

Delphos (Lima)

419.233.1600

jbockey@gmail.com

Paul & Monica Depinet

Norwalk

419.681.2217

pdepinet@gmail.com

Roger & Pat Frey

Huron

419.602.0285

patriciazfrey@gmail.com

Jim & Linda Kettinger

Bowling Green

419.354.3134

jimkett@gmail.com

Jonathan and Grace Niese

Bowling Green

419.701.8397

Nick & Beth Phillips

Galion (Mansfield)

419.468.4457

phillipsbunch@columbus.rr.com

Ryan & Jessica Rahrig

Mt. Cory (Findlay)

419.303.1976

jessicarahrig@gmail.com

Lee & Elizabeth Strang

Berkey (West Toledo)

419.829.0961

lizstrang16@gmail.com

Matt & Jen Schrader

Ohio City (Van Wert)

260.341.3237

adambobjoel@gmail.com

NFP Method Instructors

Creighton Method Fertility Care Practitioners

Name

City

Phone

Email

Jana Bechstein, MPH, CFCP

Bowling Green

419.308.0470

bechsteinjana@gmail.com

Wendy Imm, BSN, FCP

Columbus Grove

614.634.1043

divinegracefertilitycare@gmail.com

Stephanie Gonya, FNP-C, CFCNP, CFCP

Port Clinton

419.798.4418

sgonyanfp@gmail.com

Caroline Strzesynski, WHNP-BC

Bowling Green

419-372.2271

cstrz@bex.net

Marquette Method Online Instruction

Name

Website

Marquette Method | Whole Mission

www.mmnfp.com

Feminine Genius Ministries

www.femininegeniusministries.com

Vitae Fertility Education

www.vitaefertility.com

Spanish-Speaking Instructors

Name

Website/Contact

Method of NFP

Susana Crespo, BSN, RN

susana.1.crespo@marquette.edu

Método de Marquette

CCLI- Español-Cursos en línea

www.ligadepareja.org

Método Sintotérmico (Sympto-Thermal Method)

Healthcare providers trained in NaProTechnology can help common gynecological issues such as infertility, menstrual cramps, PMS, repetitive miscarriage, and more.

NaProTechnology Trained Providers (Creighton Method)

Name

City

Phone

Caroline Strzesynski, WHNP-BC

Bowling Green

419.372.2271

*OB/GYN

Kim Vacca, M.D., NFPMC

Sandusky

419.626.3821

*Pediatrician

Stephanie Gonya, FNP-C, CFCNP, CFCP

Marblehead

419.798.4418

*Family Practice

NFP-Friendly OB/GYNs

Name

City

Phone

James Matheson, D.O.

Amherst, OH

440.960.3912

OB/GYN

Philip V. Fleming, MD

Ann Arbor, MI

734.428.3760

OB/GYN

Clare Hall, MD, CNM, CPNP-PC

Ann Arbor, MI

734.428.3760

OB/GYN

Nearby NaPro Trained OB/GYNs (Creighton Method)

Name

City

Phone

Caroline Strzesynski, MSN, WHNP-BC

Bowling Green

419.372.2271

Nickole Bazger, DO, CFCMC

Birmingham, MI

248.645.0840

Blaise Milburn, MD

Steubenville, OH

740.264.8600

Jill Stalling, MD

Fort Wayne, IN

260.222.7401

Christopher Stroud, MD, CFCMC

Fort Wayne, IN

260.222.7401

Leigh Bauer, DO

Fort Wayne, IN

260.222.7401

David Parker, MD

Mishawaka, IN

574.335.6440

Which method of NFP is right for us?

Sympto-Thermal Method with The Couple to Couple League

This method teaches couples how to monitor and track a woman’s cervical fluid and basal body temperature, which change in response to a woman’s hormones throughout the month. A woman takes her temperature at the same time of the day every morning, and observes cervical fluid throughout the day. With this information, a woman is able to correctly identify fertile and infertile periods in her cycle. This method is taught by a trained CCL teaching couple virtually or in-person.

CCLI Website

My Parish NFP

Creighton Model FertilityCare System

A trained FertilityCare Practitioner teaches each couple the Creighton Method by instructing them how to monitor cervical fluid throughout the day in order to identify fertile and infertile times in the cycle. This method also features NaProTechnology, a highly effective women’s health science which helps treat underlying causes of common gynecological conditions. Women with irregular cycles, endometriosis, PCOS, infertility, and other conditions find NaProtechnology to be more beneficial to their health than other typical approaches to their health concerns.

Creighton Model Website

Marquette Model

A nurse or other medical professional who is trained in the Marquette Method teaches couples how to identify fertile and infertile times through Hormonal Fertility Monitoring by using ovulation test strips and an electronic fertility monitor. The couple is equipped with the knowledge to chart data from the electronic fertility monitor with or without additional data from cervical fluid observations. This method is especially helpful for breastfeeding mothers and those who desire clear and objective hormone readings. Please note that this method requires purchase of the fertility monitor and monthly purchase of hormone test strips.

Marquette Method Website

Billings Ovulation Method

A certified Billings instructor teaches the Billings method to couples, and instructs on how they can track cervical fluid sensation and observations throughout the day to identify a woman’s fertile and infertile windows in her cycle. The method has four simple rules that the couple employs based on their goals to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

Boma USA Website

“Limitation of one's freedom might seem to be something negative and unpleasant, but love makes it a positive, joyful and creative thing. Freedom exists for the sake of love.” – John Paul II, Love and Responsibility


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