Why should I use the Creighton Model?

For your health!  I detect symptoms of reproductive health issues; including low progesterone, endometriosis, and early signs of cervical cancer!  I will work with you to develop a list of symptoms and questions for your doctor.
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Confidently avoid pregnancy without using dangerous hormones or uncomfortable devices.

Infertile couples can achieve pregnancy for 1-2% of the cost of IVF with the same results (20-40%).  When coupled with medical treatment, the pregnancy success rate is up to 80%!

Who can use the Creighton Model?

All women can use CrMS from their first period until their last period.

Does it involve a lot of extra time?

 90% of women need 30 seconds or less [1] to observe their biomarkers.

When should I start?

  • Engaged couples should start 6-12 months before their wedding.
  • Pregnant women should start at 7 months to learn the system before baby arrives.
  • All other circumstances can start anytime!

Who should come to the sessions?

Married couples should attend sessions together. 

Adolescents should come with their mothers.

Single adults can come alone or with their mother/significant other.
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Contact me if you need childcare. Some sessions can be scheduled as play dates.

What is the consultation schedule?

Below is a typical schedule.  Additional follow-ups may be needed for special circumstances.
  • Introductory Session (group)
  • 2 week follow-up (individual)
  • 4 week follow-up (individual)
  • 6 week follow-up (individual)
  • 8 week follow-up (individual)
  • 3 month follow-up (individual)
  • 6 month follow-up (individual)
  • 9 month follow-up (individual)
  • 12 month follow-up (individual)
  • Every 6-12 months as-needed (individual)

Where are session held?

  • My office is in Columbia City.
  • Online sessions are available for long-distance clients.
  • Free Group Introductory Sessions vary by month.  Please see the Special Events Page for times and locations.
  • With 2 or more women, you can host a Group Introductory Session at your home, church or business.

​What are your office hours?

Mondays 7 am-7 pm
​Wednesdays 9 am-8:30 pm 
Thursdays 5 pm-7 pm
Fridays 9 am-6 pm
​Saturdays 9 am-12 pm

Why do I need Follow-Up Sessions after I have learned the method?

I can help review your chart for mistakes and signs of gynecologic health issues. 
Once you've completed the program, contact me if you
  • change your reproductive category
  • have questions
  • become pregnant
  • need a referral for medical or spiritual counseling. 
I am also available to speak about CrMS (see my Special Events Page).

How effective is the Creighton Model for avoiding or achieving pregnancy?

The method effectiveness is 98.7-99.9% effective.
The use effectiveness is 94.6-97.9 effective [1]
The Birth Control Pill has a 99.7% method effectiveness and 91% use[2] effectiveness.
The Condom has a 98% method effectiveness and 82% use[3] effectiveness.  
76.0% of couples achieve pregnancy during the first cycle of using a time of fertility.
20-40% of couples diagnosed with infertility achieve pregnancy during the first year[1]. 
​Up to 80% of infertile couples achieve pregnancy in one year with NaPro Technology [1].

How is the Creighton Model different from other methods of NFP?

I can identify signs of reproductive health issues by looking at your Creighton chart!

The Creighton Model uses a women's discharge as the only biomarker of fertility. This makes it simple, easy to use and/or more effective than other methods.  With similar effectiveness, the Sympto-Thermal method combines discharge and basal body temperature. The calendar method/rhythm method counts days with a lower success rate. 
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CrMS continually undergoes evaluations to improve effectiveness and ease of use. Research began over 30 years ago at St. Louis University and Creighton University Schools of Medicine. Most research is now conducted at the Saint Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction [1].

How often can we have sex if avoiding pregnancy?

The fertile days are the heavy and moderate days of bleeding and the mucus days. This totals an average of ten days for avoiding intercourse each cycle. 
  • Only 0.7% of couples stop using the Creighton Model due to difficulty avoiding genital contact[4].
  • 95% of husbands say they like using the Creighton Model[4].

How much does it cost?

Every women deserves to know her body.  Financial assistance is available through The Creighton Model Education Foundation, INC.
  • Group Introductory Sessions are free (see Special Events for times and locations).
  • You can host your own free, no-obligation Introductory Session at your convenience with 2 or more women.
  • Private Introductory Sessions are $30 (online or in office).
  • Follow-up sessions are $30.
  • Personal Fertility Kits are $30 and should be purchased at the Introductory Session.
  • Fertility Kit Refills are $10 (needed ~every 6 months). 
  • The First-Year Package includes all sessions and materials for the first year for $250 (~$280 value). 
Taxes are included.  Services may be covered by insurance.  
​The Creighton Model Education Foundation, INC. provides funding for those needing financial assistance.

How do I pay?

I accept cash, check, Venmo or PayPal.  There is a small fee for Credit Cards (via PayPal).

What training does my practitioner have?

Practitioners are knowledgeable in the history, methods, and effectiveness of all forms of family planning, including the various Natural Family Planning Methods and artificial methods (contraceptives, barrier methods, sterilization, etc.).  Practitioners have a thorough understanding of reproductive anatomy and physiology and the Creighton FertilityCare System.  Practitioners are familiar with signs of inflammation and disease.  They know when you need to see a doctor or when you can try vitamins or lifestyle changes.
Practitioners and Instructors complete a home-study program of Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology:  A Primer for FertilityCare Professionals and CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare System-A Standardized Case Management Approach to Teaching--Book I, which is reinforced and expanded upon during an 8-day intensive study program.  Upon passing written and visual assessments, the future Practitioner returns home to meet with clients under the direction of a Supervisor during a 6-month practicum.  During the practicum, they study CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare System-A Standardized Case Management Approach to Teaching--Book II. Next, the intern returns for a final 6-day intensive study program, after which the future practitioner returns home for a second 6-month practicum.  Upon a satisfactory evaluation from the supervisor and passing the National Exam, the student is a fully-licensed Practitioner.

I'm interested in joining the CrMS team!

The Practitioner program is a 13-month program open to those with a Bachelor's or Associate's degree in nursing, science (health and behavioral), and/or teaching.  The Instructor program is a 7-month program for those with less than 2 years post-high school education.  Medical Consultant program for physicians, nurse practitioners and midwifes is also available.    Click here for the Omaha site or here for locations around the United States.

Looking for more information?

CreightonModel.com

Click the picture for more in-depth answers to your FAQs, including tabs for background, effectiveness, advantages and applications.

Pope Paul VI Institute

Click the picture for the website created by the founders of the Creighton Model.

NaProTechnology.com

Click the picture for more in-depth answers to your infertility and women's health questions, including tabs on infertility, premenstrual syndrome, and post-partum depression.

Glossary of Terms


CrMS:  Creighton Model FertilityCare System
​Practitioner:  your "coach" on how to use CrMS
​Biomarkers:  Your body's signs (discharge, temperature, etc.)
​​NaPro:  Natural Procreative Technologies-doctors who are trained to use CrMS for gynecological health.

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References:
1.  Hilgers, Thomas W.  CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare System.  Sixth Edition.  2013 Pope Paul VI Institute Press.
2.  Stacey, Dawn.  "What is Hormonal Birth Control?" VeryWell.com. 27 April 2016.  Web. 24 July 2017.
3.  PlannedParenthood.  "How Effective are Condoms?"  PlannedParenthood.org.  Web. 24 July 2017.
4. Hilgers, Daly, Hilgers and Prebil. CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare System Book I: Basic Teaching Skills. Second Edition.
​           2004 Pope Paul VI Institute Press.