Fertility Awareness Method
I am taking the time to answer questions about FAM I love this method because it helps women connect and understand their bodies. I like to think of this method as a gold mine of exploration into our magnificent bodies!
What is FAM? Fertility Awareness Method is a method of body observation. You will come to understand your body’s cycles, your fertile window, and your feminine health.
What are the benefits of charting? There are numerous benefits to charting that lay outside of knowing your fertile or infertile days. Body literacy is one of my favorite reasons to start charting because no two bodies are alike. The information we can glean by paying attention to our body’s cyclic ways will help us take charge of our gynecological health.
By charting information about your unique cycle, you can have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips to bring to your physician or gynecologist when needed. You will know details about your fertility, menstruation, hormonal imbalances, premenstrual symptoms, and FAM will help you troubleshoot issues like anovulation ( lack of ovulation), PCOS, and miscarriages.
Should I chart if I don’t want to get pregnant? Yes! Using FAM for birth control takes discipline. If you are committed to charting your temperatures alongside using a barrier method like condoms or abstaining from sex during fertile days, this method is for you.
Women are only fertile for six days of a twenty-eight to thirty-two-day cycle. By using FAM, you can take control of your fertility. The Fertility Awareness Method is a holistic option that can save your body from hormonally disrupting synthetic birth controls.
How do I start to chart? Download and print a free chart. You can find a chart here: https://www.tcoyf.com/downloadable-charts/
Fertility Awarness is tracked by the observation of these three things:
Observation of fluids: The process for sperm to reach an egg needs to be hosted by the alkalinity and appropriate amount of the cervical fluid. Charting your cervical fluids by using the word “dry,” “slippery,” “stretchy,” “eggwhite,” or “creamy” after observing your cervical fluids when wiping will help you in the process of identifying your fertile and unfertile window.
You’ll also want to take note of your menstruation, tracking the number of days, texture, color, and PMS symptoms. Because menstruation is a monthly report card into your health, this information is valuable and an essential part of understanding your body’s wellbeing. The day you start to Menstruate is day #1 on each month’s chart.
Basal Body Thermometer– Using a thermometer will help you gather three critical questions on your fertile journey. 1.) If you are ovulating, 2.) If your luteal phase an adequate length (necessary for implantation purposes), 3.) whether or not you have conceived during conception can all be indicated with your thermometer.
Cervical Position: Every cervix will shift during your cycle and can be a helpful guide to tracking fertile and unfertile days. Is your cervix high, soft, wet, and open? If so, sperm can swim into your uterus, and you have a chance of pregnancy when ovulation has occurred. Or is your cervix low and closed, like pushing on the end of your nose? Your cervix now is blocking sperm from entering. Ovulation has already passed, and the cervix is no longer open for service.
Is FAM the same as the Rythm Method? FAM is not the Rythm Method in which it often is confused. The difference is that the Rythm Method is a guessed calculation of a fertile window by observing prior cycles. Leaving a wide-open window for pregnancy or missed conception possibilities because your ovulation can change month to month. FAM is a scientifically proven method of birth control that is 90 percent effective, which is equivalent to using a condom.
The Fertility Awareness Method is about becoming more self-aware of what is going on inside of your body. I like to add another component along with charting the physical aspects of your cycle. I ask myself how my body is feeling today, physically, emotionally, mentally? Making a quick note of these things can help you attune and understand what you might need during the day to help you be the best you can be. Attuning to your needs is a daily gift you can give to yourself.
Charting is always the first step in helping clients on their fertility journey. I am here for Q and A:)
XOXO- Leah