Are you interested in learning the Billings Method to understand your fertility and protect your reproductive health?  If so we can help. You can use this method to either achieve or avoid pregnancy.

The Billings Method teaches a woman to interpret her natural signs of fertility through all her changing life stages from puberty to menopause.

The Billings Method is easy to learn and is highly successful when used by a couple to achieve or avoid a pregnancy.

This method of natural family planning engenders co-operation and respect between the woman and man. It develops love and concern for each other and for the child, thus enriching their relationship.

As the Billings Method is a natural method, respecting fertility instead of suppressing it by drugs or devices, it is acceptable to couples from all cultures and religions.

The Billings Method of natural family planning was developed by husband and wife team Drs John and Evelyn Billings and Fr Maurice Catarinich, all of Melbourne, Australia and has since spread worldwide.

By learning to observe your body's signals, you can soon discover that nature clearly indicates times of fertility and infertility.

The Billings Method teaches you to recognise the fertile phase of your menstrual cycle by the presence of mucus and the sensation it produces at the vulva in the days leading up to ovulation. This mucus, produced at the cervix, is vital if sperm are to survive and to reach the vicinity of the ovum (egg) which is released at ovulation.

As a couple you can learn to identify your combined fertility through the woman's observations of the mucus and the sensations accompanying it. No internal investigations are necessary.

Accurate knowledge of the method is essential. Couples gain understanding and confidence from an accredited Billings Method teacher.

Teachers can be contacted in centres throughout Australia and worldwide (see Centres around the World) where you can learn about your fertility and the Billings Method.

The Billings Method provides an extremely effective way of regulating birth. Scientific studies indicate that with proper instruction and motivation this method in actual practice is 99% effective, without any of the negatives of the contraceptive methods. It does not damage fertility.

Once learned the method can be applied to all variations throughout a woman's reproductive life:

• regular cycles
• irregular cycles
• anovular cycles
• effects of stress
• after childbirth or miscarriage
• while breast-feeding
• approaching menopause
• low fertility

Ovulation occurs on only one day in each cycle and the egg lives for only 12-24 hours unless fertilised. Sperm need mucus in order to survive for more than a very short time. However, in the presence of mucus indicating fertility, sperm may live 3-5 days.

A couple's fertility depends on:

• normal ovulation
• healthy sperm
• healthy cervix producing satisfactory mucus
• healthy endometrium (lining of the womb)
• healthy fallopian tubes
• harmonious relationship between husband and wife.

Contraceptives work to interfere with the operation of one or more of these factors.

The Billings Method is based on identifying the times of fertility and infertility occurring naturally in a woman's cycle, regardless of the length or regularity of her cycle.

Success of the Billings Method depends on:

• proper teaching
• correct understanding
• accurate observation and daily charting
• mutual motivation and loving co-operation between the couple.