Natural Family Planning

Natural Family Planning (NFP) – Fertility Awareness Based Methods
Oklahoma Instructors and Resources

In the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma there are various Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods available. Natural Family Planning respects God's plan for marriage as a total gift of oneself to one’s spouse that is freely given, total, faithful, and fruitful. NFP is a term interchangeable with Fertility Awareness Based Methods as a natural and ethical means of avoiding or achieving pregnancy without use of contraceptives or unethical fertility treatments; it is the only ethical means of spacing pregnancies approved by the Catholic Church. See below for more information about each method and for the contact information of local Oklahoma educators as well as online resources. If you need help picking a method or have questions, contact Audrey at Audrey.stubblefield@dioceseoftulsa.org.

Resources helpful for choosing a method

https://fabmbase.org

https://naturalwomanhood.org

https://naturalwomanhood.org/quiz-choose-fertility-awareness-method

Why does the Catholic Church say NFP only?

https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-
vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/natural-family-planning


Method Overview and Instructors

Creighton Model Fertility Care System
Creighton Method is a standardized system of the menstrual and fertility cycle biomarkers. It is based on 40 years of research by Dr. Thomas Hilgers and colleagues. (https://popepaulvi.com). Women observe the external mucus (cervical mucus) produced in detail when estrogen is rising indicating ovulation is approaching. Use of the Creighton method can assist in diagnosis and treatment of reproductive disorders through NaProTECHNOLOGY which provides successful procedures and protocols to treat certain infertility issues. There is one introductory session and eight personal follow-ups.
For more information see www.fertilitycare.org.

Megan Allen, Fertility Care Practitioner (Tulsa)
Phone: 254-498-9841      
Email: Mallen7235@gmail.com

Sarah Noble-Hogan, APRN, CMN, Fertility Care Practitioner Intern & NaPro Intern (Tulsa)
Email: Snoble11@gmail.com

Teresa Prall, Fertility Care Practitioner Intern (Collinsville, Owasso, N. Tulsa)
Phone: 309-830-6111
Email: Teresaprallcrms@protonmail.com

FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management)
FEMM provides a complete solution for women’s reproductive health backed by decades of research. Hormones impact every organ and system in a woman’s body. FEMM has a large network of physicians. Hormonal imbalances contributing to women’s health issues, including infertility, can be addressed through FEMM (fertility education and medical management). FEMM utilizes tracking cervical mucus and LH strips.  See https://femmhealth.org/ for more information

FEMM Instructors and Medical Providers:
Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM, MD (Tulsa/Muskogee)
Family Physician, American and Canadian Board Certified
Email: grsavidge@saintfrancis.com
Phone: 918-682-2481 *Please indicate that the appointment is for FEMM*
Warren Clinic South Saint Francis Campus, Tulsa – (Wednesday afternoons) – Full time hours coming Summer 2023
Warren Clinic Family Medicine, Muskogee - (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Sister Mary Gretchen, RSM, MD (Tulsa) Family Medicine 
Xavier Clinic
Phone: 918-583-7233
Email: smghoffman@saintfrancis.com
*Please indicate appointment is for FEMM*
*Speaks Spanish - Se Habla Español*

Sarah Noble-Hogan, APRN, CMN, FEMM Medical Management Intern, Fertility Care Practitioner Intern & NaPro Intern (Tulsa)
Email: Snoble11@gmail.com

Madeleine Adams, MSN, RN (Broken Arrow/Tulsa)
FEMM Instructor Intern
Email: madeleineadamsnfp@gmail.com
Phone: 918-409-2505

Bethany Smith, RN, MSN (Broken Arrow/Tulsa)
FEMM Instructor Intern
Email: bsmitheducationservices@gmail.com
Phone: 918-986-7085

Lori Boyne (Tulsa)
FEMM Instructor Intern
Phone: 316.210.7786
Email: lori_boyne@hotmail.com

Other FEMM Interns:
Paige Guzman, RN
Donella Jacobs, RN
Audrey Stubblefield, RN

The Billings Ovulation Method™
The Billings Ovulation Method™ is a simple yet scientific method of Natural Family Planning. Developed in 1953 by physicians John and Lyn Billings of Melbourne, Australia. Women using the Billings Ovulation Method™ track the primary observations of sensation (no temperature, no touching), four simple rules are applied within the woman's cycle (the first three rules are used before ovulation and the fourth rule is applied once the fertile phase is over) based on a couple's desire to achieve or postpone pregnancy. There is one teaching session and up to seven personal follow-ups as needed. For more information see https://www.boma-usa.org.
​​​​​​
Lori Boyne (Tulsa)
Phone: 316.210.7786
Email: lori_boyne@hotmail.com

Online options:
https://www.boma-usa.org/learn-online.html

Couple to Couple League – Sympto-Thermal
The Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) taught by a Couple to Couple League "teaching couple" is based on three key signs of fertility: cervical mucus, basal body temperature and changes in the cervix. The chart provides a daily record that can be used to identify the days of fertility and infertility.

The Couple to Couple League strongly believes in the importance of husbands and wives working and learning together. Consequently, classes are taught by one couple directly to another couple so that both husband and wife are involved and valued in the fertility-awareness process. It is very common to hear couples who use this method of NFP speak of an increased awe and respect for femininity and their mutual fertility, and a greater sense of empowerment through self-knowledge.

The Main Class Series is a set of classes offered once a month for three months (2.5 hours each). Supplemental classes on Postpartum and Premenopause are also offered. More information at www.ccli.org.

Gregory and Laura Ford (Tulsa)
Phone: 918.712.8459
Email: laura.p.ford@gmail.com
 
Matthew and Rose Cabeen (Stillwater)
Phone: 405.338.9708
Email: thecabeens@gmail.com

Online options:
Self-paced options available: https://ccli.org/learn-nfp-from-ccl/      
Spanish option: https://ligadepareja.org/en/seminar/

Marquette Method
Marquette Method NFP employs technology to track urine fertility markers at home that measure estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH). This requires the use of the Clearblue fertility monitor that can identify approaching ovulation and accurately identify peak ovulation. The monitor can be used in conjunction with tracking cervical mucus, basal body temperature, LH strips, or by itself. To teach Marquette, the instructor must be a health care professional such as a Registered Nurse (at least BSN prepared), Advanced Practice Nurses Practitioner, Physician, and Physician Assistant. Marquette protocols are especially useful for postpartum or breastfeeding mothers. More information available at https://www.marquette.edu/nursing/natural-family-planning-model.php

Madeleine Adams, MSN, RN (Broken Arrow/Tulsa)
Marquette Instructor Intern
Email: madeleineadamsnfp@gmail.com
Phone: 918-409-2505

Bethany Smith, RN, MSN (Broken Arrow/Tulsa)
Email: bsmitheducationservices@gmail.com
Phone: 918-986-7085

Online options:
https://www.mmnfp.com/
https://www.vitaefertility.com/ 
(Free monthly online introduction session available at: https://www.vitaefertility.com/nfp-talk-marriage-prep/

NaPro (Creighton)-trained Physicians in Oklahoma
Dr. James Lackey, MD (Inola)
Family Physician
Axis Healthcare
Phone: 918- 543-8880

Dr. Alyssa Penick (Oklahoma City)
St. Anthony Family Medicine Clinic
Phone: 405-231-3000
Email: Alyssa.penick@ssmhealth.com
Note: chart review only - does not teach the method

Dr. Lauren Fehr (Oklahoma City)
Creighton Medical Consultant in training
St. Anthony Family Medicine Clinic
Phone: 405-231-3000
Email: Lauren.Fehr@ssmhealth.com
Note: chart review only - does not teach the method


NaPro Technology-trained OBGYNs - Outside of Oklahoma
Dr. Gavin Putoff OBGYN (St. Louis)
Phone: 314-405-9556
https://veritasfertility.com/about-dr-gavin-puthoff/

Whole Life Authentic Care (Fort Worth, TX)
Phone: 817-838-5433
www.wholelifeac.com

National Center for Women’s Health at the Pope Paul VI Center (Omaha, NE)
For medical questions:
(402) 390-9167 or tgreen@popepaulvi.com
Terri Green (Dr. Hilgers’ personal administrator)
Dr. Hilgers will take consult with two months of Creighton charting and $100 fee.

Help, Questions, & Instructor Training
If you are interested in becoming an instructor in Natural Family Planning, the Diocese of Tulsa, and Eastern Oklahoma offers scholarship opportunities for instructors of all methods. For more information on what method is best for you, education opportunities and instructor scholarship applications, please contact the Coordinator of Marriage and Family Life at 918-294-1904 or Audrey.stubblefield@dioceseoftulsa.org.