Editor’s Note: In coordination with VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services of the Diocese of Camden, Gabriela Marigliano will be traveling to parishes throughout South Jersey in the coming months to introduce couples struggling with infertility to the Creighton Model FertilityCare System.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI released the encyclical letter “Humanae Vitae.” There are many matters of human life addressed in this letter, one of the biggest being the question of planning births within a family.
The Catholic Church has always taught that it is reasonable for a husband and wife to space and even limit births in their marriage, for just reasons. However, they are called to support God’s design, not to reject it. The use of contraception or sterilization rejects God’s gifts.
Pope Saint Paul VI well-predicted the response of the world to this letter, saying, “It is to be anticipated that perhaps not everyone will easily accept this particular teaching. … But it comes as no surprise to the Church that she, no less than her divine Founder, is destined to be a ‘sign of contradiction.’”
The Creighton Model FertilityCare System (CrMS) is a natural family planning model based on standardized observations of a woman’s biological markers. These markers help women and couples understand their naturally-occurring phase of fertility and infertility, therefore the system can be used to achieve, as well as, avoid pregnancy.
The CrMS is also used to evaluate and treat various gynecologic conditions, including PMS, painful periods, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, endometriosis, PCOS and much more. It allows for a deeper understanding of these conditions as well as a more holistic approach to treatments compared to the “band-aid” mentality found in much of modern medicine. It provides women the ability to monitor, maintain and manage their gynecologic health throughout their entire reproductive life. While a woman can know her cycles through charting and use this information for the maintenance of her health, couples can use this knowledge to plan their family and build their future intentionally.
A particular application of this therapeutic system is to help couples conceive a child if dealing with suspected infertility. Many well-intentioned Catholic couples are not aware of the moral dilemma of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, as the typical default procedure often recommended by their doctor. IVF, by its very nature, is not a morally acceptable method of attempted fertilization and pregnancy due to the eventual disposition of excess fertile embryos over time. The CrMS is an alternative of good conscience that models the protection and respect for life at all stages.
Gabriela Marigliano is a physician assistant currently working in family medicine. She has recently completed the academic program at the Pope Paul VI Institute to become a certified practitioner of the Creighton Model FerilityCare System and Medical Consultant of NaProTechnology. She can be reached at gmarigliano7697@gmail.com for more information.
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