Multisite Effectiveness Study of the Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning Program

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Family Planning
• Gynecology

Background:

• Natural family planning (NFP) methods, also known as fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs), are increasingly chosen by women for fertility management.
• However, the effectiveness of traditional FABMs can be inconsistent, and their clinical implementation poses challenges for healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Marquette Model NFP system in preventing pregnancy among women using the method for at least twelve months.
• To assess the typical unintended pregnancy rates associated with the Marquette Model across diverse reproductive backgrounds and cycle regularity.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of teaching data from multiple sites involving 1,221 women over twelve months.
• Survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier) was employed to calculate typical unintended pregnancy rates.

Main Results:

• The overall typical unintended pregnancy rate was 6.7 per 100 women over twelve months.
• Pregnancy rates varied by cycle type: 2.8% for regular cycles, 8.0% for postpartum/breastfeeding women, and 4.3% for irregular cycles.
• Eleven of the 42 unintended pregnancies occurred with correct method use.

Conclusions:

• The Marquette Model NFP system is effective when taught by health professionals trained in its specific protocols.
• Healthcare providers trained in the Marquette Method can successfully integrate NFP services into their practice.
• The method shows high effectiveness, particularly when utilizing hormonal fertility markers, across diverse populations in North America.