By Tina Santiago-Rodriguez
Children are a blessing, and having a baby is one of the most life-changing experiences in the world. Many married couples can attest to the fact that "when Baby makes three" things will never be the same again.
But how does one actually go about conceiving a child in the first place? In a world where modern technology has allowed people to conceive artificially through assisted reproductive technology, the most common of methods of which are in-vitro fertilization and artificial/intra-uterine insemination, conceiving naturally may be considered as "archaic" or "ancient" by some.
However, natural family planning specifically using the Billings Ovulation Method, which includes planning to conceive and not just postpone pregnancy, has been said to be highly effective (98.5% according to the World Health Organization).
What Is The Billings Ovulation Method (BOM)?
The Billings Ovulation Method or BOM was developed from research into natural fertility regulation, which was first conducted in 1953 by Dr. John Billings and Fr. Maurice Catarinich. Both were later joined by Dr. Evelyn Billings.
Basically, the BOM teaches women to recognise the signs of her fertility and infertility by learning to identify sensations of wetness i.e. the presence or absence of mucus at the vulva. Scientific research done by Professor J.B. Brown from 1962 onwards, and Professor E. Odeblad from the mid-1970s have helped prove that this sensation (wetness or the absence of it) is a very reliable indicator of fertility or infertility among women.
Because of the extensive scientific research and effectiveness trials done on the Method, it is now taught in most countries of the world, regardless of the people's race, religion, culture, economic status and educational achievement.
In fact, even those who are illiterate can be taught to use the BOM since users only need to use coloured stamps or symbols to keep a record of their fertility. The use of symbols only requires a pen and paper. For those who are unable to use these, there are other charts that can be used using local symbols, like twigs, flowers and vine.
The Billings Ovulation Method is now even accepted as a method of fertility control by the Chinese Family Planning Commission. In fact, it has become one of the most favoured methods in China. Up to May 2005, it is reported that 16, 650 out of 49, 330 couples have achieved pregnancy using the BOM.
This article focuses on using the Method to achieve pregnancy naturally.
How Does The Billings Ovulation Method Work?
The Billings Method, as previously mentioned, requires the woman to pay attention to the changing sensations at the vulva, in addition to looking at any vaginal discharge found on her underwear or tissue paper upon wiping.
Throughout a woman's menstrual cycle, the cervix produces mucus which changes in consistency and amount throughout the month. During ovulation, this cervical mucus has certain characteristics that make conception more possible. Usually when fertile cervical mucus is present at the vulva, it is more slippery, wet and abundant.
Couples who use the Method are taught to help each other record what the woman feels at the vulva at the end of each day. This means that the woman has to take notice of the wet or dry sensations of her vulva throughout the month. She must also pay attention to any vaginal discharge found on her underwear throughout her cycle. Her husband can then help record her observations on a special readily available and reproducible chart.
When the woman feels an increase in the sensation of wetness, and the cervical mucus on her underwear or tissue upon wiping is more slippery and abundant in nature, she is considered to be most fertile. Thus, this would be the best time to have marital relations to get pregnant.
Using the BOM in this manner can help improve a couple's relationship by opening more lines of communication between them. Both the man and the woman are also taught to respect and get to know the woman's body and the optimum time for conception. (They are also taught how to postpone pregnancy by practicing abstinence on the fertile days).
In any case, it is important for couples to take note of the following special requirements and events for achieving pregnancy:
The female reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, must be at the appropriate levels for normal ovulation to occur.There must be the presence of healthy sperm cells. Cervical mucus must be produced to ensure the selection, nourishment and transport of the best sperm cells to the fallopian tube, where the egg or ovum is waiting for fertilization.The woman's fallopian tube must be unobstructed in order to allow the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm (this is termed as conception), and allow the resulting embryo to move into the uterus and be implanted there.The uterine lining or endometrium of the woman must be healthy enough and ready for the implantation of the embryo.
Couples who are having difficulty in conceiving can be assisted by a Billings Ovulation Method teacher, who can assist them in understanding the changes in the mucus sensation or secretion, thus alerting them to the most fertile time in a woman's cycle.
For those based in Singapore, here is a link to the Singapore Natural Family Planning Service:
You may also contact the following:
Ovulation Method Centre, Mt Alvemia Hospital, Thomson Road, Singapore 574623
Singapore NFP Service, C/-260 Lorong Chuan, Singapore 556756
For a more detailed step-by-step PDF guide on how the Billings Ovulation Method is taught, you may click on this link: woomb.org and billingslife.org
