Marquette Method of
Natural Family Planning
in Atlanta
What is the Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning?
The Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an evidence-based approach to tracking the menstrual cycle and implementing protocols to avoid or achieve pregnancy. It can also be utilized for tracking the phases of the menstrual cycle accurately for health management.
The three main biomarkers of fertility are cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and urinary hormone monitoring. The Marquette Method of NFP has protocols that include a combination of the three biomarkers, as well as a simple calculation that identifies an objective fertile window. Many people like to use the Marquette Method because they can use the Clearblue Fertility Monitor with the Marquette Method algorithm. Other tools have been studied and can be incorporated into the method with proper education, such as LH testing and the Mira Monitor**.
In addition to regular cycles, the Marquette Method has been studied in the postpartum return of fertility, and has special instructions that have been studied for effectiveness for this time of transition. The Marquette Method of NFP can also be used with irregular cycles, PMOS, during perimenopause, and is being studied during and after chemotherapy.
Learn More
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Perfect use of the Marquette Method of NFP is 98-99% effective in regular cycles and 97-98% effective in postpartum return of fertility.
Typical use of the Marquette Method of NFP is 93-98% effective for avoiding pregnancy in regular cycles and 86-96% effective in postpartum return of fertility.
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Certified Marquette Method of NFP instructors (MMCPs) teach according to the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of sex and fertility, and each MMCP agrees to the code of ethics that the Marquette Method Professional Association (MMPA) has adopted. All MMCPs are trained healthcare professionals.
**Many femtech company ideologies do not align with the values of the Catholic church and the Marquette Method of NFP. Some websites are more unaligned than others, and recommendations of these products do not endorse the ideologies seen on the websites.
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For couples preparing for marriage, taking an NFP class can meet the requirements that couples are required to have before getting married in the Catholic Church.
After attending a full Marquette Method of NFP instructional class, charting 1 full menstrual cycle using at least one of the biomarkers of fertility taught by the method, and both the man and the woman meeting with an instructor to review a full cycle of charting, your Atlanta Marquette Instructor can provide a certificate to you that can be submitted with your paperwork.
It is recommended to learn the Marquette method at least 6 months before your wedding, so you have plenty of time to meet these requirements and so you can be prepared to implement the method instructions as a newlywed couple.
While 6 months is ideal, 3 months is required in order to attain a certificate, and 1 month is the minimum to be able to practice the method once married. If the woman has irregular cycles, 6-12 months ahead of the wedding is best.
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The Marquette Method of NFP Instructors in Atlanta regularly present an overview of NFP for the marriage prep program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta and are available to present at diocesan parishes or other Christian churches. Reach out to individual instructors for costs.
Additional presentation topics include:
NFP for clergy- pastoral considerations
The basics of fertility for single adults
Why NFP is prolife healthcare for infertility
NFP and breastfeeding
Femtech and ethical concerns
The Genius of Femininity
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The Marquette Method of NFP research team has published many studies in peer-reviewed journals for more than 25 years.
The foundation of the method follows the scientific process, and effective research studies give users confidence that we can effectively use a natural method of family planning to space pregnancies. The MMPA research page has compiled citations for many aspects of NFP research.
The effectiveness of NFP is important to understand when starting a method. In 2018, a systematic review was published on all methods of NFP and Fertility Awareness that have been studied for effectiveness. These results were used to adjust the CDC-reported effectiveness of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods, changing the reported typical use effectiveness from a 24% pregnancy rate to a 2-23% pregnancy rate.
Review the pregnancy rate by method interactive chart.
Become an Instructor
Interested in becoming a Marquette Method of NFP Instructor? Teacher training is completed online through the Boland Institute for NFP. Teachers must be healthcare professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher and must be in good standing with their licensing board.
Once you have completed teacher training, received certification through the Marquette Method Professionals Association (MMPA), and live in and serve the Archdiocese of Atlanta, we'd love to include you in our mission. If you are in the process or want to become a teacher, we'd love to connect!