A prospective six-year study (1975-1980) of 273 patients, monitored in the use of natural family planning (NFP), has shown that those with previously irregular menstrual cycles are disadvantaged in the subsequent use of the ovulation method after pregnancy in that they have fewer recognizable safe days and/or are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies than women who had regular cycles prior to pregnancy. Eight patients, seven nursing and one non-nursing mother, conceived during postpartum amenorrhoea. The reliability of memory in the recall of previous menstrual histories is discussed in relation to the results of an international study of menstrual cycles by the World Health Organization (WHO 1983). The relevance of prediction of menstrual events in natural family planning is also considered.
natural family planning postpartum irregular menstrual cycles, ovulation method after pregnancy irregular cycles, Hatherley natural family planning postpartum return fertility, postpartum amenorrhea breastfeeding NFP effectiveness, cervical mucus method postpartum reliability, irregular menstrual cycles natural family planning unplanned pregnancy, fertility awareness postpartum breastfeeding safe days, natural family planning prospective study postpartum conception, Billings ovulation method postpartum cycle monitoring, menstrual cycle regularity prediction natural family planning efficacy, postpartum NFP recognizable safe days nursing mothers
PMID 4084891 4084891
Cite this article
Hatherley, L. I. (1985). Natural family planning after pregnancy. A problem for women with previously irregular menstrual cycles. *Clinical reproduction and fertility*, *3*(3), 197-203.
Hatherley LI. Natural family planning after pregnancy. A problem for women with previously irregular menstrual cycles. Clin Reprod Fertil. 1985;3(3):197-203.
Hatherley, L. I. "Natural family planning after pregnancy. A problem for women with previously irregular menstrual cycles." *Clinical reproduction and fertility*, vol. 3, no. 3, 1985, pp. 197-203.
Indirect evidence of the occurrence of ovulation, which is generally accepted, is an increase in plasma or serum progesterone. Pelvic ultrasonography can estimate the probable time of ovulation within...
Hatherley LI, 1985Clinical Reproduction and Fertility
The use-effectiveness of natural methods of family planning in lactation is evaluated by comparing the incidence of unplanned pregnancies in a group of nursing mothers practising these methods with th...
Hatherley LI, 1985Clinical Reproduction and Fertility
Luteal phase abnormalities in early menstrual cycles after pregnancy have been shown to cause confusion in the practice of natural family planning (NFP) for some patients and to restrict severely the ...
A preliminary study of 'screened' women with two consecutive miscarriages revealed an incidence of abortion in 47.4% in a subsequent pregnancy whilst hCG therapy in a similar group of women where bioc...