Effectiveness of an Online Natural Family Planning Program for Breastfeeding Women

  • University of Calgary ROR
  • Marquette University ROR

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing : JOGNN, 46(4), e129-e137

DOI 10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.010 PMID 28586636

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the effectiveness of an online, nurse-managed natural family planning (NFP) program among breastfeeding women and subgroups of these women.

Design

Longitudinal comparative cohort study.

Setting

A university-based online NFP education program and menstrual cycle charting system.

Participants

Women (N = 816) with a mean age of 30.3 years (standard deviation = 4.5) who registered to use the online NFP system and indicated they were breastfeeding.

Methods

Participants tracked their fertile times with an electronic hormone fertility monitor (EHFM), cervical mucus monitoring, or both. All unintended pregnancies were evaluated by professional nurses.

Results

The correct use pregnancy rates were 3 per 100 users over 12 cycles of use, and typical rates were 14 per 100 at 12 cycles of use. At 12 cycles of use, total pregnancy rates were 16 per 100 for electronic hormone fertility monitor users (n = 380), 81 per 100 among mucus-only users (n = 45), and 14 per 100 for electronic hormone fertility monitor plus mucus users (n = 391).

Conclusion

Use of a nurse-managed online NFP program for women can be effective to help women avoid pregnancy while breastfeeding, especially with correct and consistent use.

Topics

natural family planning breastfeeding women online program effectiveness, Fehring Schneider Bouchard NFP breastfeeding pregnancy rates, electronic hormone fertility monitor breastfeeding avoiding pregnancy, Marquette method online NFP postpartum breastfeeding, cervical mucus monitoring breastfeeding fertility return, nurse-managed online natural family planning program, correct use typical use pregnancy rates NFP breastfeeding, fertility awareness postpartum lactational amenorrhea monitor, longitudinal comparative cohort NFP effectiveness breastfeeding, online fertility education breastfeeding unintended pregnancy prevention
PMID 28586636 28586636 DOI 10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.010 10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.010

Cite this article

Fehring, R. J., Schneider, M., & Bouchard, T. (2017). Effectiveness of an Online Natural Family Planning Program for Breastfeeding Women. *Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN*, *46*(4), e129-e137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.010

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