The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness

Fertility Awareness is key to understanding sexual and reproductive health at all life stages. It can be used to either plan or avoid pregnancy. Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) are highly effective when motivated couples are taught by trained practitioners. These methods are in demand for ecological, medical, cultural, religious and moral reasons. The ability to control fertility naturally is a lifestyle choice. The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness provides the science and methodology suitable for health professionals and a general audience. It covers reproductive physiology and the fertility indicators: temperature, cervical secretions and cycle length calculations. It explores ways to optimise conception and to manage conception delays. Case studies and self-assessment exercises are included throughout. The book addresses the scientific credibility of new technologies including fertility apps, home test kits, monitors and devices. The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness offers: - evidence-based information for general practitioners, practice nurses, school nurses, midwives, sexual health doctors and nurses - a unique perspective on subfertility for gynaecologists and fertility nurses - an authoritative source of reference for medical, nursing and midwifery students - a straightforward and practical reference for new and experienced FAM users - the core text for the FertilityUK Advanced Skills Course in Fertility Awareness

Jane Knight is a fertility nurse specialist with over 30 years' experience teaching fertility awareness in both NHS and private practice. She was the UK Principal Investigator for the European multi-centre study on the probability of conception on different days of the menstrual cycle. She trains health professionals in the UK and internationally.

Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations List of figures List of tables Images and permissions - Overview of fertility awareness - Male fertility - Female fertility - Temperature: first indicator - Cervical secretions: second indicator - Cervix: third indicator - Calendar calculations: fourth indicator - Minor indicators of fertility - Home test kits and monitors - Combining indicators - Simplified methods - Factors affecting the menstrual cycle - FAMs for women of normal fertility - Contraception and returning fertility - FAMs after hormonal contraception - Breastfeeding, LAM and returning fertility - FAMs during the peri-menopause - Planning pregnancy - Conception delays and assisted fertility - Teaching fertility awareness Appendix A. Normal fertility chart Appendix B. Instructions for use Appendix C. Planning pregnancy chart Appendix D. Chart summary sheet Appendix E. Autonomy checklist Appendix F. Body mass index chart Appendix G. Drugs which affect the menstrual cycle Appendix H. Further reading Bibliography Index