Pre-course Content

Ladies, consider this as a little introduction to the fertility awareness mindset -- or, why we're doing this anyway!

In this course, we’re going to go in depth and uncover the science of your cycles, and I’ll teach you how to know your body intimately. But first, I want to take a moment to make sure you have an understanding of what fertility awareness is, and how it can empower you to take control of your health and fertility goals.

You may have heard me say it before, but I’m very passionate about this — and it’s a truth that many women don’t know, and so it bears repeating: Every woman has the fundamental right to understand her body, and the way her cycle works. This knowledge isn’t just for people with medical degrees. A woman can and should have a basic understanding of her cycles and her reproductive system. 

Consider this quote from Anna Halpine, founder of World Youth Alliance and FEMM Health:

“Women have a right to know how their bodies work, so that they can monitor and manage their health, and ensure that they are just as healthy as men. In doing so, women also have the capacity to manage their fertility, which is a sign of health. This information is their birthright.”

Knowledge is empowering! A woman who knows her body becomes an educated and informed participant in making choices for her healthcare and family planning. 

Have you ever felt powerless while sitting in your gynecologist’s office? As he hands you the Pill and tells you it’s your only option to solve your cycle problems, or to avoid pregnancy — have you ever felt there must be another way, but you were unsure what to say?!

I have definitely been there! You may have heard some of my story (video below) about my experience with my gynecologist when I was in college, who told me to take the pill for my problematic bleeding, and then said I’d never be able to conceive any children naturally.

Sitting there being offered only ONE SOLUTION left me feeling small and powerless. In my gut, I knew there had to be another way. But when I asked, he made me feel ashamed for not wanting to follow the status quo. 

I didn’t know then what I know now — that it’s my right to know how my body works, that it’s ok for me to ask questions in the doctor’s office, that the more I know about my cycles and fertility, the more I can collaborate with my doctors in my own health care and family planning!  

So this is the ideal: for women, from puberty through menopause, to know their bodies intimately — to know their cycle patterns and signs of fertility, and to be able to TAKE CHARGE of their health and collaborate with their doctors, rather than just being given a one size fits all answer!! Isn’t this an amazing concept?! 

So, how do we do this? How do we become collaborators? How de we learn to know our bodies intimately?? The answer is fertility awareness.

What is fertility awareness? It’s defined as simply the means of understanding human reproduction — it’s based on the observation and charting of scientifically proven fertility signs that determine whether or not a woman is fertile on any given day.

Fertility awareness is the foundation that has to be laid so that we can know our bodies, so that we can detect if there are abnormalities in our reproductive health, and so that we can utilize methods of natural family planning.

Fertility awareness is for any woman. Fertility awareness is for teens! It’s for women who are trying to get pregnant, and not just for women who don’t want to make a baby right now! It’s for every woman.

HERE’S THE KEY: Fertility awareness is more than just about fertility! It also allows you to track your general health and wellbeing! 

We’ll explore this more as we work through this course, but because your reproductive hormones affect your body as a whole, your cycle is actually a vital sign that can help to indicate how healthy you are.

So it’s highly beneficial for women of all ages and stages in life to keep track of their cycles each month! This gives you an insight into your general health, and allows you to collaborate with your doctor to identify and resolve adverse health issues, such as hormone imbalance, secondary infertility, PCOS, infections, and more!

Let’s summarize this important information:

• Fertility awareness enables a woman to know her cycles intimately.
• This knowledge is empowering for any woman! Knowing your cycle patterns allows you to collaborate with your doctor in reaching your health and fertility goals! 
• Fertility awareness is also the basis for using natural family planning to both achieve and avoid pregnancy. 

Fertility awareness is a powerful tool and so beneficial for all women — yes, for YOU, my friend. This is the way God designed us. Isn’t it beautiful? :) 

Read

Why You Should Embrace an Abundance Mindset with FABMS