Current Method: Creighton Model
Previous Method: Couple to Couple League
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- Tell us a little about yourself.I live in Gilbert, Arizona, but I was born and raised in Minnesota. In 2018, I earned my bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University. Currently, I work full time from home and I treasure that I don’t have to leave my 2.5 month old son every day. I love making my home more comfortable through cooking and cleaning. When my husband and I are off work, we love to take our boy and our dog, Diana on walks or lay around and watch movies as a family. We only have Sunday’s off together, so we prioritize family on that day.
- What effects has fertility awareness had on your relationship?It’s definitely been a blessing and heightened anxiety. We feel blessed that through trying to achieve pregnancy last year, we were able to on the first try while practicing the Sympto-Thermal method. Now that we are trying to avoid while I’m breastfeeding, it’s more challenging, but still a blessing.
- First Method: Couple to Couple League - How did you find your instructor?When we were engaged, through our marriage preparation, we were required to learn an NFP method.
- Describe your daily charting routine.I chatted about a year before my wedding and then for three months before I got pregnant after my wedding. I’m newly postpartum, so I have only been charting for the last few weeks. I chart only cervical mucus at this time, but in the past I charted cervical mucus, sensation and basal body temperature. I would say that charting is a little bit of a chore because you definitely have to observe and note when you’re seeing each day. Also, remembering to chart postpartum is sometimes a challenge for me. However, the benefit that I don’t need to put my body through hormonal birth control or compromise my soul and relationship with Jesus to practice is more valuable to me.
- What made you choose this method?I chose this method because of my Catholic faith, the low cost, and the high efficacy rates.
- Did you stop using this method? If so, why?I stopped using the Sympto-Thermal method PP and I’m currently learning Creighton. Once I had my baby, I wanted to have a refresher session, but my PA that teaches the method was out on maternity-leave, so I scheduled an appointment with a Creighton PA. I also thought about switching to Creighton for the postpartum period, since I heard many women appreciate it while breastfeeding.
- Second Method: Creighton Model - How did you find your instructor?I visit a Catholic OBGYN and their Physician Assistant’s are trained in different FAbM’s. I have only had one session so far, but I have a follow-up scheduled next month. Also, they billed my insurance and only charged me for the materials so far ($35).
- Describe your daily charting routine.I currently track only cervical mucus and I check each time I use the restroom. I only record the “most impressive” observation at the end of each day. It isn’t a huge time commitment, it just takes focus.
- What made you choose this method?I chose this method because of what I’ve heard about users enjoying this method Postpartum.
- Has charting helped you to understand your overall health?I haven’t charted this method long-enough to say, other than I can tell my fertility probably has not returned because of the dry-days I’ve observed.
- Did you switch to this method from another one? If so, why?I switched from Sympto-Thermal and it was really really easy. My PA mentioned that the two methods stemmed from the same research, which is why they focus on cervical mucus. Therefore, the mucus observations are very similar so it was easy to switch.
