BOMA Questions and Answers
Is the Billings Ovulation Method natural?
Yes, a woman's natural state of fertility is protected through the use of the Billings Ovulation Method. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are ever used. Women appreciate the freedom in using the Billings Method and the increased knowledge they have of their own bodies. Men often comment that they have a greater understanding of their wife.
Can the Billings Ovulation Method be used to achieve pregnancy?
Yes. Today, many couples face difficulty in achieving pregnancy. Help is often found by using the Billings Ovulation Method to determine the beginning and end of a woman's fertile phase. Women quickly learn how to identify their own, unique patterns of fertility. Regardless of the regularity or irregularity of the cycle, the return of fertility is recognizable whether women are discontinuing contraceptives, breastfeeding, weaning or premenopausal. Once the window of fertility is recognized, couples can use that time to achieve a pregnancy.
Unique to natural methods of family planning, such as the Billings Method, couples are able to reverse their pregnancy intentions from cycle to cycle.
Because women become familiar with their individual signs and symptoms, they can quickly detect any changes that signal the need for medical attention. In addition, the chart which reflects the woman's hormonal patterns, can be an excellent medical tool in detecting problems with low fertility, the luteal phase, and other concerns.
Can the Billings Ovulation Method be used to postpone pregnancy?
Yes. In the average cycle, there is only a window of fertility. Without the use of drugs and devices, couples using the Billings Ovulation Method can confidently identify times when pregnancy is impossible. Couples using the Billings Ovulation Method simply abstain during times of possible fertility.
There are three rules to follow before ovulation (if pregnancy is to be postponed) and one rule after ovulation. Once couples understand the woman's cycle and how to apply the rules, they can use this method until the woman reaches menopause.
I am breastfeeding. Can I use the Billings Ovulation Method?
Yes. During breastfeeding a woman may experience a time of natural infertility. This time, however, is variable for every woman and for every pregnancy. This time of infertility depends upon the inter-relationship of many factors including the baby and mother's needs, and the style and frequency of feeding. With the help of a certified Billings Ovulation Method teacher, a breastfeeding woman can determine her pattern of infertility after two weeks of charting.
Because the Billings Ovulation Method only has four rules for postponing/avoiding pregnancy, couples simply apply those rules according to where the woman is in her cycle.
What is the effectiveness rate for the Billings Ovulation Method?
The Billings Ovulation Method is taught and used in over 120 countries around the world. Trials of the effectiveness of the method for postponing and achieving pregnancy are ongoing.
In China, a study of 992 couples following the Billings
Ovulation Method guidelines for avoiding pregnancy for one year.
There were five pregnancies in the study which were classified as
people who did not listen to the information and therefore did not
follow the guidelines. These were classified as Teaching Related
Pregnancies. Method Related Pregnancies was 0%.
As of 2005 there were close to 4 million Chinese couples using the
Billings Method.
In Indonesia, a trial done from 1978 - 1982 involved 1331 couples during a 42 month program and concluded a method effectiveness rate of 99%.
In India, there were 2059 couples following the Billings Ovulation
Method for 21 months. The method effectiveness was 99.15%.
For more on the effectiveness of the Billings Method:
http://www.woomb.org/bom/trials/index.html
Details on the science and methodology of the Billings Ovulation Method can be found on www.woomb.org
What does the Billings Ovulation Method do for marriages?
The Billings Ovulation Method teaches couples about their combined fertility. It is a shared method that enriches marriages. Neither the husband nor the wife take sole responsibility for family planning. With the emphasis on increased communication and appreciation for the gift of fertility, couples frequently comment on the Billings Method being one of the best kept secrets.
What does it cost to use the Billings Ovulation Method?
While the cost of instruction and follow-up varies throughout the United States, in general a class fee is charged (which may be covered by health insurance) and the necessary charts and stamps cost only $4.00 per year.
info@boma-usa.org
Last Updated:
02/01/2007
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