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Article
Couple Beads: An integrated Method of Natural Family Planning
The Linacre Quarterly
  • George Mulcaire-Jones, Maternal Life International
  • Richard J. Fehring, Marquette University
  • Megan Bradshaw, Maternal Life International
  • Karen Brower, Maternal Life International
  • Gonzaga Lubega, Maternal Life Uganda
  • Paskazia Lubega, Maternal Life Uganda
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
14 p.
Publication Date
2-1-2016
Publisher
Catholic Medical Association
Abstract

Various fertility indicators are used by natural family planning methods to identify the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle: mucus observations, cycle-day probabilities, basal body temperature readings, and hormonal measures of LH and estrogen. Simplified NFP methods generally make use of a single fertility indicator such as cycle-day probabilities (Standard Days Method) or mucus observations (Billings Ovulation Method). The Couple Bead Method integrates the two simplest fertility indicators, cycle-day probabilities and mucus observations, expanding its applicability to all women, regardless of cycle regularity and length. In determining cycle-day probabilities, the Couple Bead Method relies on a new data set from ultrasound-derived determinants of gestational age that more directly define the day of conception and the fertile window. By using a visual-based system of inexpensive colored beads, the Couple Bead Method can be used by couples of all educational and income levels.

Comments

Accepted version. The Linacre Quarterly, Vol. 83, No. 1 (2016): 69-82. DOI. © 2016 Catholic Medical Association. Used with permission.

Citation Information
George Mulcaire-Jones, Richard J. Fehring, Megan Bradshaw, Karen Brower, et al.. "Couple Beads: An integrated Method of Natural Family Planning" The Linacre Quarterly (2016) ISSN: 0024-3639
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/richard_fehring/141/