NPT Over IVF

Ten Reasons to Choose 

NaProTECHNOLOGY (NPT) Over IVF:

(in addition to being in line with Church teaching!)
by David Picella

1. NaProTECHNOLOGY Focuses on Disease.  If a couple cannot get pregnant, it makes sense that the first thing the doctor must do is to find out why.  This is THE goal of the complete NPT program.  With IVF, the cause of infertility is not important and in the underlying problem it is completely ignored. 
2. Success Rates are Better with NaProTECHNOLOGY.  Recent data from the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, NE, show that NPT success rates are 1.5 to 3 times better than IVF (23.5% versus 38.4%-81.8%).  In a 4 year study of 95 NPT couples who had been trying to conceive for an average of 6.1 years and had 176 failed attempts at an Artificial Reproductive Technique (ART) Boyle[1] reported that there were 123 conceptions. Life table analysis demonstrated increasing success the longer that couples remained in the NPT program with 26.2% pregnant at 12 to 17 months rising to 32.6% at 18-25 months. 
3. No Destruction of Embryos.  An analysis of ART data[2] from 1983 to 1986 demonstrated that the transfer of 1,372 embryos (3.2 per woman) resulted in 81 live births.  From this data, it is necessary to create 16.9 living embryos to produce one live birth.  The higher reported rates of success for IVF procedures usually means more embryos are being transferred which increases the risk of multiple births. 
4. No Infanticide:  "Selective Reduction" One of the most objectionable things about IVF is that it can result in a situation where a woman is forced to deal with a dangerously high multiple pregnancy rate.  Pregnancy risk increases dramatically with the number of babies in the womb.  Frequently, women are compelled to selectively "reduce" (i.e., kill) additional babies in the womb due to unacceptably high pregnancy risk. 
5. Natural Sex versus a Laboratory Procedure  In IVF, the sperm and eggs (gametes) are collected through masturbation (male) and harvesting (female) where they meet in a laboratory to form embryos which are then reintroduced into the woman's body.  NPT, on the other hand, relies on a natural act of intercourse to achieve pregnancy. 
6. NaProTechnology is more cost effective  According to Collins[3], the median cost of one cycle of IVF in the United States in 2001 is $9,226.  $20-30,000 expenses are not unheard of, however, because IVF clinics prefer to sell discount packages (multiple cycles) in order to increase success rates and allow for "shared" risk.  In comparison, at one medical center in Duarte, CA (Santa Teresita), NPT has been cited as costing approximately $9,290 which includes a physician evaluation, hormone and ultrasound evaluation, and outpatient surgical treatment of infertility.  And unlike IVF, these costs are commonly covered by insurance. 
7. Pregnancy Outcomes  There is growing concern that IVF may have significant adverse effects on the children conceived with this procedure.  In a study of birth defects after ICSI and IVF procedures, Hansen et al. [4] reported that ICSI and IVF babies were more than twice as likely to have been diagnosed with a major birth defect by the end of one year of life (8.6% and 9.0%) as compared to naturally conceived babies (4.2%). 
8. You could get pregnant again!  Because natural fertility is restored with NPT, these couples are often able to get pregnant again.  In the Boyle study[1] of 89 births in women who had failed ART, there were 14 women with 2 live births, and 1 woman with 3 live births.  Since IVF does nothing to correct the cause of infertility, there is no benefit toward subsequent pregnancies. 
9. What will you have to show for it?  Ironically, in some cases IVF procedures cause additional harm to the female reproductive system in the course of treatment.  For example, some IVF clinics will perform surgical removal of a blocked and swollen fallopian tube in order to increase success rates[5].  In these cases, when IVF fails, fallopian tube repair is no longer an option.  This approach is contrary to the natural and restorative orientation of the NPT physician and surgeon[6].  NPT is designed to restore (not destroy) reproductive function.  If nothing else, NPT couples have had the underlying cause of the problem addressed which often results in better overall health. 
10. What happens after you get pregnant?  This is perhaps the most important question.  Frequently, couples who pursue IVF have not thought about what happens next.  Success equals pregnancy.  Unfortunately, ignoring the underlying problem that leads to infertility in the first place can adversely affect the pregnancy and even lead to miscarriage.  With NPT, restoring health and fertility begins before conception and continues throughout the pregnancy with the aim of preventing miscarriage and promoting the optimum health of the newborn baby and mother. 

References

1.  Boyle, P., NaProTechnology (NPT) � After previously unsuccessful Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART). 2004. 

2.  Cvetkovich, L.L., The reproductive technologies: A scientific overview, in The gift of life: The proceedings of a national conference on the Vatican instruction on reproductive ethics and technology, M. Wallace and T. Hilgers, Editors. 1990, Pope Paul VI Institute Press: Omaha, NE. 

3.  Collins, J., Cost-effectiveness of In Vitro Fertilization. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 2001. 19: p. 279-289. 

4.  Hansen, M., et al., The risk of major birth defects after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and In Vitro Fertilization. New England Journal of Medicine, 2002. 346: p. 725-730. 

5.  Nackley, A.C. and S.J. Muasher, The significance of hydrosalpinx in in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility, 1998. 69: p. 373-384. 

6.  Hilgers, T.W., The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTechnology. 2004,Omaha , NE: Pope Paul VI Institute Press. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Copyright 2006 Majella.us

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Picella

Patron Saints of Childless Couples and those that are Sterile

These two souls below need  their causes promoted for canonization. They are both from the early part of the 20th Century.  Please consider a devotion to Ven. Maria Luisa & Ven. Elisabeth. They were both very holy women that were married to medical doctors and they were both childless; but God has greater plans.  Read more about them to find out how God used them with love and goodness only He can bring about in our lives.  God bless you!

Ven. Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Ven. Elisabeth Leseur

St. Anne Line: Patron Saint of Childless Couples

St. Catherine of Genoa: Patron Saint of Childless Couples

St. Colette

St. Gummarus: Patron Saint of Childless Couples

St. Henry II: Patron Saint of Childless Couples

St. Julian the Hospitaller: Patron St. of Childless Couples

St. Nicholas of Myra

More Saints

Patron - saints of Infertility

This is a copy of a post that was added to the Home page on April 27, 2011.

The title of this post interprets that these two women from the 19th and 20th century are not yet canonized Saints, but they are venerable and their causes will be considered by the Church as we all promote them and ask for their prayers.  Please consider promoting one or both of these beautiful souls below!

Elisabeth Leseur

read more here

The cause for the CANONIZATIONof Elizabeth Leseur is being handled in Rome by:Fr. Vito GomezPostulator Generalis
Curia Generalizia dei Padri Domenicani
Convento Santa Sabina (Aventino)
Piazza Pietro d'Illiria, 100153 Roma (Italia)
Telephone: (39) 6 57 941Fax: (39) 6 57 50 675
e-mail: postulatore@curia.op.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria Luisa Josefa 

of 

the Most Blessed Sacrament

The life of Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament is no ordinary story. It is a story filled with that complete trust in God which makes life a daring adventure, the kind of adventure one encounters when one dares to love God above all things and to place one's life completely in His hands. It is a story where trust in God and obedience to His manifest designs bursts forth into great sanctity. Mother Luisita is a model of holiness in the single, married, widowed and religious state.

Maria Luisa de la Pena was born in Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco Mexico on June 21, 1866, the first surviving of fourteen children. Although she felt drawn to the religious life, at the age of fifteen in obedience to her parents, she married Doctor Pascual Rojas, a prominent physician who was twice her age. Their life together was happy, a mutual growing in love of God and neighbor. God did not grant them children. They trusted and decided together that the poor would be their children. They built the little Hospital of the Sacred Heart to serve those less fortunate. After fourteen years of married life Maria Luisa was left a widow. On his deathbed, Doctor Rojas told her that he had no doubt what she would do after he had died - she would serve God as a religious.

Eight years later Maria Luisa entered the Cloistered Carmelites and became immersed in the spirituality of Carmel. After seven months she was asked by the Archbishop to return to her work at the hospital which needed her guidance. Again she trusted God's manifest designs. Along with the hospital she opened a school and orphanage. Many others attracted by her charisma began to join her. The Archbishop re-appeared and told her that she would have to join an existing religious Congregation. Obediently she left all her works behind and joined the Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. Four years later the Archbishop asked her to return she was needed at the hospital and with the children. She obeyed. More women joined her. This time the Archbishop himself suggested that she found a Religious Congregation and the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart were established on February 2, 1921. Her charism "to unite the spirit of Carmel to the active apostolate unfolded. 

Six years later, a dangerous and terrifying adventure - religious persecution in her beloved Mexico. Dressed in disguise, she came to the United States as a homeless refugee. She trusted. God rewarded her confidence and her work became established in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. More adventure followed. In 1929 she returned to Mexico and continued the work she had begun there, as well as guiding, visiting and directing the Sisters in California. She spent the remainder of her life in hiding, ill and living in extreme poverty, often without sufficient food. 

On February 11, 1937 God called His faithful servant home to Himself - an eternal adventure. In the Year of the Great Jubilee, after extensive study of her life and writings, the Church declared that she lived a life of heroic virtue and her cause toward sainthood is in progress.

THE MAKING OF A SAINT

Prayer For the Beatification of Venerable Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament

O Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, King and center of all hearts!

Look with merciful love on the petitions we present to You

through the intercession of Your servant, Mother Maria Luisa

Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

(Pause and request your petition)

We humbly beseech You to glorify her who was always such a 

fervent lover of Your Sacred Heart by granting us these favors

if they are for Your greater honor and glory. Amen.

(Written by Mother Margarita María,O.C.D. and approved by

Cardinal Timothy Manning August 28, 1981.) 

Graces obtained through Mother Luisita's intercession may be reported to :

Superior General

Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles

920 East Alhambra Road

Alhambra, California 91801

(626) 289-1353

Resource:  http://www.carmelitesistersocd.com

We Can Learn So Much

Dr. Bernard Nathanson remembered for his profound pro-life conversion:  We can all learn so much...

Longing for a Child, God has all the Answers

Something that you may think about with infertility support groups is a Bible study, with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or Mass/Benediction.  This may take time building such a support group but ask Our Lady to help you with opening the door of support with your priest/pastor and she will take care of the rest.  

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Don't stop seeking God's presence, you will be surprised just what is waiting for you.

*Note to the reader, I'm not sure why this post is in all caps, as when I am typing this out I am not seeing it in all caps until it is posted.  Sorry if you think I'm shouting, as I'm not.  Blessings to you today and always. (Therese)

Don't Miss Out!

NFP Introductory Sessions

Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO

If you have more announcements from around the world re: NFP support, 

please let us know and we will add them to our list.

If You Really do not Keep away from Type two diabetes Now, You'll certainly Hate Your self Later

Please welcome Patrica Harris guest writer for "Hannah's Tears Infertility Resource Page". Patricia will be sharing with us today how we can protect our body from Type 2 diabetes with good eating habits and exercise. Let's take a look and get ourselves ready for better habits and a better future for ourselves, our family but most important our fertility!

Author - Patricia Harris writes for www.diabeticmenus.org/

Type 2 diabetes is easily the most common form of diabetes. An incredible number of Americans have already been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 symptoms, and more are unconscious they are at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Diabetes type 2 is much more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged people.   In type 2 diabetes, either our body isn't going to produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is critical for your body to be able to use glucose for energy. Once you eat food, your body breaks down the sugars and starches into glucose, that is certainly the basic fuel for any cells in your body. Insulin takes the sugar from your blood in the cells. When glucose accumulates in the blood rather than going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications. You may have the power to increase and protect your wellbeing. With proper nutrition and physical activity and making good life-style choices (like not smoking), you are able to feel better, stronger, and healthier, and can decrease your risk of diseases like the cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. 

What exactly is Healthy Weight? 

There's a simple way to see if your current weight puts you at risk for developing serious diseases. Visit www.diabetes.org/bmi and take the Body Mass Index (BMI) test. The results will let you decide if you need to be concerned about your weight.   

Better You Eat, Better You Are 

Here are a few basic guidelines to help you and your family make healthier food decisions: 

* Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit.   * Choose wholemeal foods over processed grain products. Try brown rice rather than white. Substitute whole wheat bread for white.   * Eat fish 2-3 times a week.   * Select leaner cuts of meat like those that end in "loin."   * Remove the skin from poultry and turkey.   * Eat low fat dairy   * Drink water and low calories non-carbonated liquids.   * Use liquid oils for cooking as a substitute for solid fats.   * Reduce too-high calorie junk food like chips, cookies, cakes, and regular frozen goodies.   Hunt for baked chips and reduced calorie snacks. Or have some fruit instead.   * Watch your serving sizes. Even an excessive amount of "healthy" food might cause extra pounds. 

Tips: 
* Compare labels of similar foods, then pick the one with smaller amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.   * Adults should consume below 2400 mg. of sodium a day. For those who have hypertension, it's best to prefer even less.   * Try adding seasonings in your own cooking to substitute for salt for enhancing  flavor.

Just a little Work out Goes a long way 
Anything that gets you up and moving is designed for you. Here's what it may do:    * Decrease your risk of developing diabetes type 2   * Decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke Lower high blood pressure and cholesterol   * Reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels in case you have diabetes, which often can decrease your risk of developing diabetes-related complications   * Decrease tension * Help you to drop some weight   * Give you more energy   * Help you sleep better   * Build stronger bones and muscle mass    You do not need to go to a gym, play sports or use fancy equipment.   Naturally, it's best to talk to a family doctor prior to starting any exercise regimen.   When you have Diabetes.   Eating healthy and staying active are a lot more important when you have diabetes.   Well-balanced meals might help keep your glucose (sugar) level as nearly normal as it can be.   Being active likewise helps you lower your blood glucose. In case you increase your physical activity levels, you could probably take less insulin or diabetes pills. If you're very inactive, have heart disease or a history of foot ulcers, talk to your doctor about safe exercise available for you.  Check your blood glucose before exercising. If it's under 100 mg/dl, eat some fruit, crackers or drink glass of milk or juice.  Check it again after exercising to learn how your blood glucose reacts to exercise. Bring a snack if you'll be active for a few hours.  About the Author - Patricia Harris writes for the diabeticmenus.org/ blog, her personal hobby website aimed at guidelines to eat healthy to avoid and manage diabetes.

"The passion of the whole body of Christ"

Lord, I have cried to you, hear me. This is a prayer we can all say. This is not my prayer, but that of the whole Christ. Rather, it is said in the name of his body. When Christ was on earth he prayed in his human nature, and prayed to the Father in the name of his body, and when he prayed drops of blood flowed from his whole body. So it is written in the Gospel: Jesus prayed with earnest prayer, and sweated blood. What is this blood streaming from his whole body but the martyrdom of the whole Church? Lord, I have cried to you, hear me; listen to the sound of my prayer, when I call upon you. Did you imagine that crying was over when you said: I have cried to you? You have cried out, but do not as yet feel free from care. If anguish is at an end, crying is at an end; but if the Church, the body of Christ, must suffer anguish until the end of time, it must not say only: I have cried to you, hear me; it must also say: Listen to the sound of my prayer, when I call upon you. Let my prayer rise like incense in your sight; let the raising of my hands be an evening sacrifice. This is generally understood of Christ, the head, as every Christian acknowledges. When day was fading into evening, the Lord laid down his life on the cross, to take it up again; he did not lose his life against his will. Here, too, we are symbolised. What part of him hung on the cross if not the part he had received from us? How could God the Father ever cast off and abandon his only Son, who is indeed one God with him? Yet Christ, nailing our weakness to the cross (where, as the Apostle says: Our old nature was nailed to the cross with him), cried out with the very voice of humanity: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The evening sacrifice is then the passion of the Lord, the cross of the Lord, the oblation of the victim that brings salvation, the holocaust acceptable to God. In his resurrection he made this evening sacrifice a morning sacrifice. Prayer offered in holiness from a faithful heart rises like incense from a holy altar. Nothing is more fragrant than the fragrance of the Lord. May all who believe share in this fragrance. Therefore, our old nature in the words of the Apostle, was nailed to the cross with him, in order, as he says, to destroy our sinful body, so that we may be slaves to sin no longer. From a commentary on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop

Church Documents

The relevant Church documents can be found on the Vatican website:

• Humanae vitae

• Donum vitae

• Evangelium vitae

• Catechism of Catholic Church 

NFP RESOURCES

The Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Nebraska was founded by Dr. Thomas Hilgers and his wife Sue in 1985.


Creighton Model Fertility Care System (CrMS), an advanced natural family planning system which links gynecologic and procreative healthcare and health maintenance.
Natural Procreative Technology), a new women's health science that monitors and maintains a woman's reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system.


The American Academy of Fertility Care Professionals (AAFCP) is another resource to find pro-life fertility care help. They address all sides of infertility including the emotional aspect.


The Billings Ovulation Method is a method of natural family planning based on the observation of the woman's cervical mucus and was developed by Drs. John and Evelyn Billings. It is less complicated than the Creighton Model Fertility Care System and therefore a good way to start monitoring one's fertility. They provide World Wide Services.


One More Soul is a global supplier of educational resources fostering God's plan for love, marriage, and procreation.


Couple to Couple League provides information, teaching and support for couples using or wanting to learn about Natural Family Planning.

FertilityCare Centres of Europe 
We provide information about Creighton Model FertilityCare services and NaProTechnology in Europe.

Priests for Life have interesting articles and links dealing with the issue of contraception and natural family planning.