To set a new cycle, press the Home icon, followed by the purple dotted circle icon, followed by the dark purple dotted circle icon. Enter the date and time your period started. The first day of your cycle is the first full day of bleeding. In the context of NFP, your “first cycle” simply refers to the first cycle you track, not necessarily the first menstrual cycle you’ve ever had. You can also choose an optional PIN during the initial setup if desired. You’ll need to enter this PIN each time you turn on the monitor if you set it.
During your first 6 cycles, you’ll also need to start practicing abstinence on day 6 of your cycle to avoid pregnancy. If you’re trying to achieve pregnancy, however, this isn’t necessary. It’ll take about 5 minutes for the monitor to process your test, and your monitor will beep when it finishes. Remove the test and check the screen. You’ll see one of three readings: Low, High, or Peak. These readings indicate how fertile you are at that point in your cycle. When using the ClearBlue Monitor to assist in getting pregnant, you typically have the option of holding the testing stick under your urine stream instead of dipping it into a collected sample. When following Marquette, however, it’s important that you follow the dip method instead, especially when you’re trying to avoid pregnancy.
The reading will change from Low to High when your estrogen increases. Your monitor will only ask you to test for a total of 20 days, and will automatically give you a Low reading on day 20 if it doesn’t detect your Peak. If you don’t get a Peak reading by day 19, you’ll need to reset the monitor as though you’re starting a new cycle. Set the cycle to day 4, then begin testing again when the monitor registers day 6. You can use supplementary LH tests in between to verify whether your LH surges in the meantime. It’s best to consult a licensed Marquette instructor when learning this NFP model, especially if you have irregular cycles. For instance, if you detect a peak earlier than day 12 of your cycle or later than day 24, you’ll want to consult your instructor for advice tailored to your circumstances.
The monitor will stop asking you for a reading after your LH surge. After these 3 days pass, you’re considered infertile again until day 6 of your next period. If you’re trying to achieve pregnancy, your Peak days and the 3 days that follow are your most fertile days—so you probably won’t want to practice abstinence on those days!
It’s a good idea to chart your fertility both during and after these first 6 cycles. Without charting, you won’t be able to accurately track patterns.
Your situation may vary, but generally, you’ll calculate your fertile window based on the earliest day of ovulation during the first 6 months. Your biological fertile window lasts for about 6 days. Sperm can live for about 5 days. [8] X Research source Set your fertility window 6 days before the earliest peak of the past 6 cycles. For example, if your earliest peak day was day 14, your fertility window starts on day 8. It’s important to continue testing as usual, however. If you get a High reading before the estimated start date for your fertility window, you should consider yourself fertile at that point. You’ll also need to recalculate your fertility window after each cycle. Always adjust your window based on the past 6 cycles.
Record only your most fertile mucus for the day, even if you check multiple times per day. You could technically follow the Marquette Model using the monitor only, but tracking urine hormone readings alongside changes to your cervical mucus will increase the method’s effectiveness and help you better understand your body.
Immediately following your days of dryness, you may notice thick, white mucus that holds its shape. This type of mucus is also generally a sign of low fertility.
You’ll definitely need to abstain from sex during this stage if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy. This stage will usually overlap with High fertility readings on your monitor, but don’t be too alarmed if the fertility windows between both data sets don’t perfectly match. There are several reasons why this may happen. Consult with a Marquette instructor or OB/GYN to narrow down what might cause this in your own cycle.
For example, if your earliest peak day according to the monitor was day 14, but your peak mucus reading first occurred on day 13, count back 6 days from day 13 to find the start date of your fertility window (day 7).
Generally, your temperature will increase at least 0. 4 degrees over a 48-hour period when you ovulate.
If you decide to test progesterone, begin 3 days after your peak and continue testing until you get a positive result or as instructed by the testing kit.
Test daily in the afternoon, starting on cycle day 6. You should ideally have 3-4 hours worth of urine in your bladder before testing. You’ll usually need to collect a sample of urine, dip a test strip into it for around 5 seconds, and check the results within 3-5 minutes.
If you’re tracking BBT in addition to the monitor and mucus results, you may consider making a separate line graph to help you visually track when your BBT spikes upward.
Set your intention—avoid or achieve—at the start of each cycle so you’ll know what to do (and not do) as your cycle progresses. As a general rule, avoid sex during high and peak fertility parts of your cycle if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy. If you’re trying to achieve pregnancy, however, these will be the best days to have sex.
If you’re practicing NFP for faith-based reasons, that might be another reason to avoid contraceptives and stick with periods of abstinence. For instance, the Catholic Church officially approves the Marquette Model, but also teaches against the use of contraceptives. [22] X Research source If you have questions about your faith’s teachings regarding contraceptives—whether you’re confused about what those teachings are or what the theological reason is behind them—consult a Marquette instructor or faith leader.
You can work with an in-person or online instructor. Start by searching the official directory: https://www. marquettemethod. com/instructors/ Every woman practicing the Marquette Model will benefit from formal instruction, but this can be especially important if you have an irregular cycle, a reproductive disorder, or other special concerns.
For regular cycles, ovulation typically occurs between cycle days 10 and 20. Women with shorter cycles may need to begin testing and periods of abstinence prior to day 6, and women with longer cycles may need to test longer. In some cases, you’ll even need to reset the monitor and begin retesting after cycle day 24. More testing could mean a higher expense, as well as more days of abstinence when you’re trying to avoid pregnancy. Work with your NFP instructor to determine how your irregular cycle changes the way you practice NFP, and the Marquette Model in particular. You should also consult your OB/GYN to determine the cause of your cycle irregularities if you don’t already know.
