FAQ

The Creighton Model FertilityCare System (CrMS) teaches women to observe their naturally occurring phases of fertility and infertility. Couples use this knowledge to plan their families and build their future together.

CrMS relies upon the standardized observation and charting of naturally occurring signs that are essential to a woman’s gynecological and reproductive health.

• CrMS is natural.
• CrMS is safe-there are no known medical side-effects associated with its use.
• CrMS is inexpensive.
• CrMS is 96.8-99.5% effective for avoiding pregnancy.
• CrMS is 79-98% effective for achieving pregnancy.
• CrMS is a valuable resource for identifying gynecologic problems.

Any woman can use the Creighton Model from her first period until her last. This includes…

• regular cycles
• irregular cycles
• perimenopause
• post-pill
• breastfeeding
• anovulatory
• or any other situation for her entire procreative life!

Most women should attend the next available Introductory Session. See our Getting Started Page for more information!

Pregnant women wanting to use the CrMS postpartum should attend an Introductory Session during the 7th month of pregnancy.

Women coming off of birth control can begin charting as soon as they stop their current birth control method.

You can use the FertilityCare App after 5 Follow Ups (3 months) of good observations and charting. Visit https://www.fertilitycareapp.com for more information and pricing.

TCMEF provides funding for those needing financial assistance learning the Creighton Model. Funding is available for session fees, but not material fees.

1. Schedule an Introductory Session with a Practitioner on our Getting Started Page.
2. Ask to receive financial assistance.
3. The Practitioner will submit your first name, phone number, client ID and meeting date to TCMEF.
4. TCMEF will contact you to verify your information.

As of now, there is no application process or special requirements. We just ask that you answer the phone to verify that you are receiving services. Our hope is that those who receive financial assistance can donate back to the foundation when they are in a better place financially.

Funding is generously provided through grants, including the Mary Cross Tippman Foundation.

We also accept tax-deductible donations from individuals.

A FertilityCare Practitioner completes a 13 month certification program, which includes lectures, tests, practice exercises and two supervised practicum experiences. During the Education Program, they teach a minimum of 18 clients from a variety of circumstances. A FertilityCare Practitioner demonstrates his or her in-depth knowledge of the woman’s cycle and ability to train women to NaProTRACK^TM their cycles by passing a standardized national exam. You can read more about what it takes to become a Practitioner on our Practitioner Program page.

The term “Practitioner” sometimes confuses people. FertilityCare Practitioners are teachers certified from the Saint Paul VI Institute in affiliation with Creighton University. This certificate acknowledges the Practitioner’s competencies in providing FertilityCare Services. It is not a medical degree or license. FertilityCare Practitioners cannot diagnose or treat health conditions. Please see the next question for the benefits of seeing a FertilityCare Practitioner in conjunction with your medical doctor.

The biomarkers are symptoms that point the NaPro doctor (properly called CrMS Medical Consultant) and FertilityCare Practitioner toward an underlying health concern. FertilityCare Practitioners teach you to observe and chart your biomarkers. Unless a physician is also a Practitioner, he or she is not trained to teach you to properly observe and record the biomarkers. The more accurate your chart is, the better the physician can read the symptoms to know which diagnosis tools and subsequent treatments to employ.

The symptoms are a good indicator, but not a diagnosis of a disease. For example, the symptoms of cervical inflammation are 75% accurate in identifying cervical inflammation, but must be diagnosed through medical examination.

Because FertilityCare Practitioners review every day of your chart with you, they may notice details that could go overlooked by a physician. FertilityCare Practitioners can write referrals to any physician you request for diagnosis and treatment.

Not usually! Most treatments your regular Ob-Gyn can perform or subscribe. If they have not heard of NaProTECHNOLOGY, they may not understand why you want to be evaluated for a certain condition. There are some conditions a physician not trained in NaProTECHNOLOGY will use birth control to alleviate symptoms instead of treating the underlying condition. If your physician prescribes birth control, we can direct you towards a CrMS Medical Consultant for treatment.

You do not have to go through the Fertility and Midwifery Care Center to give birth. If you are healthy, you don’t need to see them at all! If you need a NaPro Medical Consultant, you can use the Fertility and Midwifery Care Center for your gynecologic needs and another doctor or midwife for your obstetric needs. Additional NaPro Medical Consultants are located in Warsaw and Goshen. Click on Find a CrMS/NaPro Medical Consultant for a current listing of NaPro Medical Consultants.

An HSA account can be used for all FertilityCare services and materials. You can call your insurance company with the appropriate code to determine if services fall under your insurance plan. You can check coverage by requesting the code for your particular needs from your Practitioner.

FCI-FertilityCare Instructor: completed basic method training and first practicum. Always under the supervision of an FCP.

FCPI-FertilityCare Practitioner Intern: currently in the Education Program.

FCP-FertilityCare Practitioner: completed basic and advanced method training, both practicums and passed the standardized national exam.

CFCP-Certified FertilityCare Practitioner: FCPs who teach a minimum of 10 additional clients, maintains continuing education credits, passes evaluation of client records and instruction from the Commission on Certification. Certification must be renewed every 4 years.

FCE-FertilityCare Educator: FCP who completes an additional 13 month course to train FCPs.

CFCE-Certified FertilityCare Educator: An FCE who maintains continuing education credits and passes evaluation from the Commission on Certification.

CrMSMC/NFPMC-FertilityCare Medical Consultant: A licensed medical doctor with the ability to diagnose and prescribe treatment who completes a 6-month education and supervised practicum in NaProTECHNOLOGY. They have passed the tests of the program and are supported by a FertilityCare Practitioner.

CFCMC-Certified FertilityCare Medical Consultant: CrMSMC who has undergone a peer review process to assess his/her application of NaProTECHNOLOGY and signs a Code of Ethics. They pass an additional final examination within 3 years of completing the Medical Consultant program.

AFCMSC-Advanced FertilityCare Medical and Surgical Consultant: Completed NaProTECHNOLOGY and Surgical Fellowship at Saint Paul VI Institute.

There are many other designations of Medical professionals. The training is the same and the letters following the CFC tell their profession:

• Nurse Midwives (CFCNM)
• Nurse Practitioner (CFCNP)
• Physicians Assistant (CFCPA)
• Pharmacist (CFCPhC)

Non-certified designations are:

• CrMSMC-Creighton Model Medical Consultant within 3 year time frame to become certified
• CrMSNM-Creighton Model Nurse Midwife within 3 year time frame to become certified
• NFPMC-Natural Family Planning Medical Consultant within 3 year time frame to become certified
• NFPNM-Natural Family Planning Nurse Midwife within 3 year time frame to become certified

All other initials are not Creighton specific, for example, RN is Registered Nurse.