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  

Local Clinic – Restorative Women’s Health and Fertility Awareness Education:

Marian Medical Clinic at Saint Francis
Bishops 250 Saint Francis Hospital South Campus
Phone: 918-307-5440

Focused on restorative fertility care in line with Catholic teaching; women and couples struggling with metabolic issues, hormone ailments and subfertility across the menstrual lifespan (teens, childbearing years, menopause). Any woman from the onset of menses is welcome to set up an appointment, especially those experiencing the following conditions: menstrual cycle irregularities, subfertility, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, menopause, weight management, cognitive fog, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression (PPD) or anxiety, perinatal depression, menopause management, recurrent miscarriage, or migraines (not an exclusive list). Fertility Awareness education is available and encouraged.
www.saintfrancis.com/location/marian-medical-clinic

Method Overview and Instructors (Listed Alphabetically)

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 Perimenopause 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/

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

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

Sarah Noble-Hogan, APRN-CMN, FEMM Certified, Fertility Care Practitioner Intern & NaPro Intern (Tulsa)
Phone: 918-307-5440 – Marian Medical Clinic
Email: scnoble@saintfrancis.com - Marian Medical Clinic

Family of the Americas Ovulation Method – Coming Soon in Spanish! 

https://www.familyplanning.net/en/about-us

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 Medical Providers:

Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM, MD (Tulsa/Muskogee)
Marian Medical Clinic at Saint Francis South, Broken Arrow, Bishop’s 250 (Wednesday)
Phone: 918-307-5440
Email: grsavidge@saintfrancis.com

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 Certified, Fertility Care Practitioner Intern & NaPro Intern (Tulsa)
Marian Medical Clinic at Saint Francis South, Broken Arrow, Bishop’s 250
Phone: 918-307-5440
Email: scnoble@saintfrancis.com

FEMM Instructors:

Madeleine Adams, MSN, RN (Broken Arrow/Tulsa)
Marian Medical Clinic – Marquette and FEMM Instructor, Nurse Educator
Email: madams3@saintfrancis.com
Phone: 918-307-5440

Paige Guzman, RN
Marian Medical Clinic – Nurse Coordinator and Instructor
Phone: 918-307-5440
Email: PAGuzman2@saintfrancis.com

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

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

Other FEMM Interns:

Paige Guzman, RN

Donella Jacobs, RN

Audrey Stubblefield, RN

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)
Marian Medical Clinic
Email: madams3@saintfrancis.com
Phone: 918-307-5440

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

https://www.vitaefertility.com/bethany-smith/


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. 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

NaPro Technology-trained OBGYNs - Outside of Oklahoma

Dr. Nicholas Kongoasa
The Center for Restorative Reproductive Surgery (Norcross, GA)
(770) 450 – 8677
The Center for Restorative Reproductive Surgery - The CRRS in Atlanta

Dr. Gavin Putoff
Veritas Fertility and Surgery (St. Louis, MO)
Phone: 314-405-9556
https://veritasfertility.com/about-dr-gavin-puthoff/

Dr Kristina Pakiz
Vivify Women’s Health and Fertility (Omaha, NE)
In person and Telehealth appointments available.
(402) 203-8000, admin@vivifyfertilityhealth.com
https://vivifyfertilityhealth.com/

Dr. Stephen Hilgers, MD, CFCMC
Houston Methodist Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates
(713) 797-9666

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. Thomas Hilgers’ personal administrator)

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