Natural Family Planning Methods & Instructors

Within marriage there is a moral responsibility to regulate procreation. Because of it's inherit respect for our bodies and sexuality, only natural means of regulating births are morally licit. The following resources can help couples learn about natural family planning, which is an effective and moral way to participate in God's plan for sexual intimacy:

  • Couple to Couple League - a modern, scientific and highly effective sympto-thermal method of natural family planning that uses a cross-checking system based on three signs of fertility to postpone or achieve pregnancy. The Main Course is offered in 3 different learning options: Live Onsite, Live Online, or Self-paced Online. Transition courses for postpartum and perimenopause are also offered. Go to ccli.org or contact the local teachers below to learn more. Teachers in the Des Moines area include:
  • Billings Ovulation Method: The Billings Ovulation Method® is a highly effective and uniquely simple method of natural family planning. The BOM is taught and used in over 100 countries worldwide, and is based on over 60 years of ongoing scientific research, including independent trials by the World Health Organization. A recent multi-center study found the method-related pregnancy rate was zero; the use-related pregnancy rate was 0.5%. In another study almost 70% of couples trying to achieve pregnancy using the BOM were able to do so in the first cycle. Central Iowa couples may schedule instruction sessions to meet their unique scheduling needs by contacting
  • Creighton Model FertilityCare System: Creighton Model FertilityCare System (creightonmodel.com) - an authentic language of a woman's health and fertility. The CrMS relies upon the standardized observation and charting of biological markers that are essential to a woman's health and fertility. These "biomarkers" tell the couple when they are naturally fertile and infertile. These biomarkers also show when abnormalities exist and can be used to diagnose and treat many gynecologic conditions. The course consists of an introductory presentation, followed by follow-ups with a practitioner. Follow-ups may be conducted via phone if distance is an issue. Both practitioners listed below teach at Vitae Family Care Clinic in West Des Moines, and visits are covered by most health insurance plans.
  • Northwest Family Services: Symto-Thermal Method SymptoPro™ Fertility Education (generically referred to as Natural Family Planning, or NFP) is an effective, scientifically based method of natural family planning that treats fertility as a normal, healthy process. SymptoPro™ is a Sympto-Thermal Method of Fertility Education (NFP) based on changes in a woman’s cervical mucus, waking or resting temperature, and cervix. Classes can be taken online.

  • The Marquette Model (MM) system of NFP brings 21st century technology to NFP by using the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor, a device used at home which measures hormone levels in urine to estimate the beginning and end of the time of fertility in a women's menstrual cycle. The information from the monitor can be used in conjunction with observations of cervical mucus, basal body temperature, or other biological indicators of fertility. The MM was developed by professional nurses and physicians at Marquette University in the late 1990s. A recent (2007) study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing demonstrated a 97-98% efficacy of the MM in avoiding pregnancy when taught by a qualified teacher and correctly applied.

    There is an introductory session and a one month follow up session.  This class can be taught as a group session or individually and you can find more information here.