NAPROTRACKING THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE…
Timing of intercourse is such a key aspect of any couple maximising their chances of conceiving. The importance of this basic yet KEY aspect is frequently underestimated, especially where there is some male factor contributing to a couple’s difficulty conceiving.
Unfortunately, most women are not specifically aware of
This specific knowledge is critical. It is a myth that every woman has a 28 day cycle and that every woman ovulates on day 14. This is completely inaccurate for the majority of women. Because of this, the standard ‘day 21’ blood test is inaccurate in most cases. Starting to track fertility using the Creighton Model alone enables 20-40% of couples with diagnosed infertility to conceive.
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Cervical mucus
Only about 10-13% of women actually ovulate on day 14 of the menstrual cycle. So, the actual time of fertility can vary from month to month and from woman to woman.
Fertility is a CYCLICAL event. Because the woman’s cervix works as a biological valve (that opens and closes each month), and because this valve produces a physical sign (cervical mucus) which indicates fertility, this information is observable externally and is THE MAIN SIGN of a woman’s fertility that is easily observed. It is a highly advanced indicator to the woman that she is coming up to ovulation and is reflective of hormonal changes.
This key sign is one of the main biomarker women are taught to observe with the Creighton Model System in a very specific way. To maximise conception, using these days leading up to ovulation is important. The specific type and quality of mucus is crucial and an important ‘biomarker’ that couples can use to maximise pregnancy outcome. Limited mucus is an issue with infertility and needs to be investigated. Contact Us to find out how.
Detecting Ovulation
Many women use ovulation test kits to tell them approximately when they might ovulate. These tests kits, though sometimes useful (for some women with very regular cycles) in giving an estimate of ovulation, unfortunately they tell the woman nothing about her cervical mucus. Ovulation may be occurring every month, but without cervical mucus, conception cannot occur.
This is why it is critical that the woman begins to chart her cervical mucus with the Creighton Model in order to objectively evaluate the cervical mucus production and assist with the timing of intercourse.
...The Creighton Model...THE most reliable contemporary system of pinpointing ovulation AND evaluating the quality and quantity of cervical mucus, a CRITICAL aspect of fertility...
The Creighton Model is the most accurate system for identifying ovulation. This high accuracy in detecting ovulation is regardless of whether a woman has short, regular or long cycles.
Sperm abnormalities
Where the man’s sperm production is impaired in one way or another, particularly in the case of a low sperm count, the timing of intercourse becomes even more critical.
Avoiding intercourse until the good mucus is present allows the sperm count to build up to maximum levels thereby maximising chances of conception when timed with the best quality and quantity mucus days which clients learn to identify. Instructions for intercourse are specifically given which maximise conception.
VDRS - Vaginal Discharge Recording System
In order to thoroughly evaluate the mucus in detail, a medically developed Vaginal Discharge Recording System (VDRS) has been devised through FertilityCare research which allows couples to gain this specific knowledge which they would otherwise not have.
The VDRS has also allowed for accurate, reproducible research to be conducted. A cervical mucus score is calculated each month which allows a couple to monitor this critical aspect of fertility. The score obtained will indicate whether or not there is any limitation in mucus production, and if so, what level of limitation.
“Couples learn to ‘take charge’ of their fertility, and not simply drift along the route of investigations and procedures which can bypass the underlying problem”.
As well as monitoring limitations in mucus, any treatment for limited mucus can also be monitored through the use of the VDRS.
Through referral for NaProTechnolgy treatment, natural supplements and medications can then be prescribed to boost the mucus production and improve the quality and quantity of mucus. This can significantly increase the couple’s chances of conceiving naturally. It is non-invasive, safe and prescribed in conjunction with the FertilityCare chart. Attention is also paid to life-style factors such as nutrition, hydration and stress that may be impairing cervical mucus.
Abnormal Discharges
One of the many benefits of the Creighton Model is the ability of the chart to be used as a reproductive record. Some women find it difficult to find their specific days of fertility due to unusual discharges that occur throughout the month. The oestrogen influenced mucus related to fertility and ovulation is distinctly different to ‘other’ discharges which may occur due to vaginal infection or cervical inflammation.
Women are taught exactly how to differentiate between these discharges and to detect with accuracy those days which relate to fertility, thereby allowing timed intercourse even where an inflammation, erosion or infection is present.
...this is advanced education in an age where so few women actually understand their cycles and how to maximise conception...
Mucus limitations
A significant number of women who have difficulty conceiving and who begin FertilityCare tracking will notice limitations in mucus production even from the first cycle of charting. This can be both disturbing but re-assuring. Many women comment that ‘just knowing’ what could be impairing fertility means ‘we’re half way there’.
Mucus limitations can occur because of abnormal hormone levels, various medications which can dry up mucus, cervical crypt damage (possibly as a result of laser surgery following abnormal smear tests), stress and poor nutrition/hydration. These are evaluated and taken into account. NaproTechnology can provide treatment options to address some of these key problems.
...Conception through natural intercourse is the best, most successful way to conceive and maintain a pregnancy...
Importance of tracking the menstrual flow (bleeding days)
With Creighton Model tracking, the monthly intensity and duration of the menstrual flow is highly significant in telling women how well the lining of the womb thickened in the previous month, and therefore the likelihood that hormone levels are adequate or below normal. This observable sign is yet another ‘biomarker’ indicative of the woman’s fertility.
ACHEIVING PREGNANCY NATURALLY...
Maximising chances of natural conception involves…
Natural conception provides a greater chance of maintaining pregnancy
After conception has occurred, there is a natural growth and progression of the embryo (for about 6-9 days) down the fallopian tube which is critical for normal healthy development and maturation to occur. When conception is permitted to take place naturally, there is a higher chance of the couple being able to conceive and a higher chance of maintaining pregnancy because implantation is more likely when this natural growth and progression of the embryo is allowed to take place over the 6-9 days before implantation occurs.
Artificial reproductive technologies side step this process and the embryo (artificially fertilised) is transferred into the womb (artificially) around 2-3 days after conception. Successful implantation depends to a large degree on the lining of the womb thickening adequately prior to implantation. If this thickening is inadequate, miscarriage can occur.
To book an appointment to begin NaproTracking your cycle, Contact Us
The Learning Schedule
The learning schedule is designed to meet the individual needs of each new client who enters the programme. Adequate instruction is essential for gaining confidence in the system and obtaining the maximum effectiveness possible.
Individualised follow up appointments are designed to teach couples to be actual users of the Creighton Model. Personal instruction on the use of the system, as well as complete chart reviews, are services provided at the individual follow up appointments. Scheduled at regular intervals, attendance at these sessions is essential to enable couples to quickly gain confidence in the use of the system. You will find these sessions personalised to meet your needs. Attention is also given to lifestyle factors that affect fertility such as nutrition, hydration, exercise, stress, toxins etc.
Following the initial appointment, individual follow up appointments are arranged approximately as follows-
| Follow up appointment 1 | at 2 weeks |
| Follow up appointment 2 | at 4 weeks |
| Follow up appointment 3 | at 6 weeks |
| Follow up appointment 4 | at 8 weeks |
| Follow up appointment 5 | at 12 weeks |
These are approximate and your FertilityCare™ Practitioner is also available for consultation between sessions should any questions arise.
For couples experiencing infertility, ongoing follow up appointments are scheduled every 3-4 months until pregnancy occurs.
For family planning purposes, subsequent follow ups are recommended every 6 -12 months if needed.
If you wish to learn more please contact us to arrange an Introductory Session and initial appointment with an accredited FertilityCare™ Practitioner.
This initial appointment takes approximately one and a half hours and involves an evaluation of your reproductive history and any previous investigations or treatment. This is followed by a comprehensive overview of the FertilityCare™ approach to get you started, during which your previous history and investigations are discussed.
You will have an opportunity to ask questions regarding your own fertility and how the Programme may assist you. Contact Us to book an appointment today.