If so, Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center has an effective and easy-to-learn alternative for you.
Kari Ney, a registered nurse for Promise, has become trained as an instructor in the Billings Ovulation Method® of natural family planning and is implementing the program at the health center.
She will offer an introductory class for the Billings Ovulation Method at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in community education room at Promise. The class will be open to the first six couples who sign up. The deadline to register is Feb. 17.
To register online, use this form.
Ney said the Billings Ovulation Method is a scientific method of fertility management that has been used successfully by millions of women around the world to help them become pregnant, postpone pregnancy or to have a better knowledge of their own fertility. She noted some women do not desire hormonal or other forms of birth control due to side effects; during certain periods of their life, such as when they’re breastfeeding; or for religious reasons.
“Here at Promise, we strive to meet the needs of our community,” she said. “We have many families and couples seeking out alternatives to hormonal birth control, and Billings Ovulation Method fills this need. Understanding how fertility works is an vital tool in family planning, but it also is an important component of understanding a woman’s personal health. Fertility awareness-based methods of birth control give couples an alternative that can be just as effective with proper use and instruction.”
Ney noted that many families also are looking for an alternative that better fits their budget.
“Because Promise strives to be a resource for the community and provide accessible care, we felt the Billings Ovulation Method was a good fit,” she said.
During the initial education session on Feb. 21, Ney will introduce couples to the Billings Ovulation Method. This presentation will include all of the information and tools couples will need to get started. If couples choose to continue with the program, they will begin charting their cycle every evening according to the rules taught in the class.
During this process, the Billings program encourages frequent communication and follow-up to promote success. After two weeks of charting independently, Ney will review the charts with them over the phone. A second session with individual chart review will be scheduled at the health center after couples have been charting for a month. Thereafter, Ney will keep in close contact with the couples via phone, text or email every two weeks until they have demonstrated confidence and proficiency in charting. Ney said couples typically have a good understanding of the method within three months.
The cost of the introductory class is $30. The remaining cost of the program after the first session is $150 and is covered fully by most forms of health insurance and Medicaid as preventative care.
Ney said she hopes to offer the program on a quarterly basis.The program will be offered in Spanish in future sessions. Education also is available on an individual basis if preferred.
If organizations are interested in having the introductory class held at their location, contact Promise for details.
MORE ABOUT KARI:
Kari Ney has been a registered nurse for 19 years, serving the last five serving as part of Promise Community Health Center’s midwifery team. She also serves as the family planning nurse educator at Promise. She is passionate about women’s health and excited to offer this education to our community. She and her husband, Jake, have four children, Cory, 16; Ethan, 14; Jesse, 12; and Ava, 8.
“The practicum length is determined by number and complexity of charts to review, but is a great way to start a program because there is expert assistance and guidance at our fingertips,” she said.
AT A GLANCE:
What: Billings Ovulation Method introductory sessionWebsite: To learn more about the Billings method, visit www.boma-usa.org.
