Biomarkers Used:
✔️Cervical Mucus
✔️Cervical Position
✔️Vaginal Sensation
✔️Basal Body Temperature
✔️Hormone testing (monitor + LH strips)
✔️Doering Rule to determine opening of fertile window (set after charting 12 cycles)
Instructor Certification Process
The Charter Who Loves This Method
Boston Cross Check is a highly flexible method because it treats all biomarkers equally. Clients are taught to track all biomarkers, and can then decide which ones they want to use. Individuals who like tracking lots of data tend to love this method.
Instructors maintain close one-on-one relationships with clients, and all instruction takes place on an individual basis. However, the goal of this close relationship is client autonomy, and the ability for charters to feel completely confident on their own.
This is a more conservative method when it comes to determining the fertile window. The Doering Rule is used to set the opening, but is not put into effect until after charting 12 cycles (as opposed to 6 cycles for Marquette). This means that those avoiding pregnancy have longer windows of abstinence or non-vaginal intercourse. Instructors note that charters who switch to this method may have higher anxiety around the need to avoid pregnancy.
It is also more conservative for the postpartum period. Clients primarily use the ClearBlue monitor, and frequent follow ups are built in for the full 6 months after birth.
Currently, Boston Cross Check is a smaller method with a limited number of instructors, but it is growing. Because there are fewer instructors, there is less experience with women in peri-menopause (fewer instructors = fewer clients), though there are rigorous protocols developed for that fertility period.