Marquette Method Supplies and Resources
RECOMMENDED products
To get started with the Marquette Method of NFP, I recommend getting a monitor, test sticks for the monitor, as well as 1 package of LH tests. (LH tests are optional but highly recommended when beginning.)
All of these items are also flexible spending approved items if you have a FSA or HSA account.
These are Amazon Affiliate links, so a small portion of each purchase will help support our NFP coaching program.
The Clearblue Fertility Monitor
This monitor is used with the Marquette Method of NFP to more easily detect ovulation. It is meant to be used in regular cycling women who are trying to conceive, however, it can be used along with the rules used in the Marquette Method of NFP to avoid pregnancy as well. The monitor cannot be used alone to avoid pregnancy, but does help objectively and easily detect ovulation which is important information when using Natural Family Planning.
While having regular cycles is recommended for ideal use, we can use it for women with long cycles, women who are postpartum, post hormonal contraception or in peri-menopause with special instructions from a Marquette Method NFP instructor.
You will also need to purchase test sticks to use with the monitor.
These are the test sticks you will need with the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor. They can be purchased online from many drug stores but the subscribe and save option on Amazon is an easy way to save a little on the cost.
When using in regular cycles, expect to need 10-20 tests per month. When using after having a baby before cycles return, you will need 1 box per month until your first period.
These LH tests are supplemental tests to the monitor used for many situations, often when circumstances are more complicated such as postpartum, peri-menopause, or when just getting started while you are getting the hang of the monitor. These cost about 30¢/test. 1 package of LH tests are recommended when getting started.
While having regular cycles is recommended for ideal use, we can use it for women with long cycles, women who are postpartum, post hormonal contraception or in peri-menopause with special instructions from a Marquette Method NFP instructor.
You will also need to purchase test sticks to use with the monitor.
SOME OF MY favorite THINGS
None of these items are required to practice the Marquette Method, but may be helpful to you as I mention them in the course or in consultations. (Also Amazon Affiliate links)
While any cup in your house is sufficient to collect your urine samples for testing, this one is great for travel and ease of use.
A reusable menstrual cup that is a healthy, safe and conscious alternative to disposable pads and tampons. Inserted like a tampon, Sckooncup sits comfortably in your vagina and can be safely worn for up to 12 consecutive hours. Comes in a small size for those who have not given birth before and a large size for women who have had babies.
I recommend this cup because it is one of the softest on the market and has a very quick learning curve.
The Flex Reusable disc is an alternative to the menstrual cup. It's ultra soft, holds a larger volume for those who have heavier periods and can be emptied without removing it.
Intimina Lily Cup One: Menstrual Cup for Teens
When you are testing with the Clear Blue easy fertility monitor, it is recommended to dip the test stick in the urine sample for exactly 15 seconds. I have found that it is helpful to keep a clock in the bathroom to make this testing process as easy as possible first thing in the morning. This clock comes in many color options.
Easy@home Bluetooth BBT Thermometer
For easy tracking and saving your basal body temps in an app as well as saving the date/time on the thermometer, this thermometer works with the Premom app to sync your temps. This can be used as an oral or vaginal thermometer for BBT tracking. Basal body temps are an optional biomarker with the Marquette Method of NFP. To take daily temps, they need to be done at the same time every morning just upon waking. This biomarker will detect the progesterone rise that happens after ovulation. A temp module is in the NFP course for learning how to track temps and include them into the Marquette Method.
If a lower cost BBT thermometer is preferred, try this easy@home BBT thermometer.
Basal body temping is one of the ways you can track ovulation and fertility. The biomarker detects the progesterone rise that causes a slight basal body temp increase only after ovulation has already happened. Typically oral or vaginal temps need to be taken at the exact same time each morning just upon waking, however for many women this rigid schedule makes it more difficult to be successful. The wearable thermometer takes away the need for the rigid sleep/wake rules with traditional BBT monitoring and will also input your temps into a smartphone app for easy monitoring and syncs with the favorite Read Your Body app for NFP tracking. While this is a supplemental option, many women like the ease of use and confirmation of progesterone rise.
The command strip wall shelf is the perfect size for the urine cup and monitor in the bathroom. It's off the counter and out of reach of little hands.
Common wisdom portrays sex and church to be at odds, yet studies show that Catholics have better sex, and more often. This witty, frank, and refreshingly orthodox book draws from the beautiful truths of Catholic teaching to show people of all faiths about rich and satisfying sexuality. Hailed by Christians across the spectrum from Christopher West and Janet E. Smith to John L. Allen, Jr., Holy Sex! includes dozens of questionnaires, quizzes, and valuable lessons from real-life stories.
I highly recommend this book for all married couples whether newlywed or married for 20+ years and everything in between. Popcack goes over everything from mismatched expectations in the bedroom, when NFP is hard, to coming together for a more connected prayer life, as well as the importance of foreplay and practical aspects of married love.
Totally Yours: The Catholic Natural Family Planning Handbook
Totally Yours: The Catholic Natural Family Planning Handbook is a down-to-earth and practical book that uses real-life stories and experiences of over twenty couples to demystify natural family planning (NFP). With a healthy dose of humor, a firm grounding in Catholic moral teaching and evidence from scientific literature, this book focuses on twelve things everyone should know about NFP. From the reluctant reader to the seasoned NFP user, this book is a worthwhile read for engaged couples, married couples, clergy and anyone looking for easy-to-understand information on NFP.
The Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West
The Good News about sex and marriage is an excellent book outlining the beautiful teachings from Theology of the Body and it’s lived application within marriage. This book gives many practical tips to understand what is permissible vs the things that even within marriage are immoral since sexual intercourse should always be a total gift of self to one’s spouse.
“It’s my heartfelt prayer that, whatever your state and stage in life, this book will help you in your quest to know, understand, live, and experience the beautiful truth about human love. For that’s where we find the image of the divine, a foretaste of heaven—the consummate satisfaction of all our most intimate longings.” —from the introduction
Living the Mystery of Marriage: Building Your Sacramental Life Together
This book will assist those called to marriage to live out the wonderful, beautiful, and challenging mystery of married love by presenting a theology, spirituality, and morality of marriage at a widely accessible level.
Dr. Perry Cahall encourages both engaged and married couples to understand the real nature and purpose of marriage as God has created it. He includes insightful self-discovery discussion questions to help couples process the information.
This is also a useful resource for priests, deacons or lay ministers engaged in marriage preparation; diocesan offices of marriage and family life; Pre-Cana instructors, and leaders of sponsoring couples programs.