1st Edition

The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness

By Jane Knight Copyright 2017
    446 Pages
    by Routledge

    446 Pages
    by Routledge

    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

      Preface

      Acknowledgements

      Abbreviations

      List of figures

      List of tables

      Images and permissions

      1. Overview of fertility awareness
      2. Male fertility
      3. Female fertility
      4. Temperature: first indicator
      5. Cervical secretions: second indicator
      6. Cervix: third indicator
      7. Calendar calculations: fourth indicator
      8. Minor indicators of fertility
      9. Home test kits and monitors
      10. Combining indicators
      11. Simplified methods
      12. Factors affecting the menstrual cycle
      13. FAMs for women of normal fertility
      14. Contraception and returning fertility
      15. FAMs after hormonal contraception
      16. Breastfeeding, LAM and returning fertility
      17. FAMs during the peri-menopause
      18. Planning pregnancy
      19. Conception delays and assisted fertility
      20. 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

    Biography

    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.