The Catholic Church promotes Natural Family Planning (NFP) as a moral way to plan for children in accordance with God’s will for your family. Not only is it highly effective, practical, low cost, and healthy, it also strengthens a marriage and a couple’s spirituality by welcoming God into the most intimate spousal acts and decisions. We encourage all married couples, and those preparing for marriage, to learn Church teachings on NFP and to seek reliable training in NFP methods. We hope the information found on this website is helpful in opening your hearts and minds to this wonderful gift from God. No clue which method is right for you? Learn more here!
Methods & Instructors
Sympto-Thermal Method (CCL)
The Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) taught by CCL is based on three key signs of fertility: cervical mucus, basal body temperature and changes in the cervix. By observing and recording these signs you and your spouse will be able to identify Phase I, II and III and therefore know if you’re in a time of fertility or infertility.
These signs are easily noticed by any woman who has learned to watch for them. It takes only a minute or two each day to record them in CCL’s mobile app, PeakDay – www.peakday.com, or on a paper chart. The chart provides a daily record that can be used to identify days of fertility and infertility to either achieve or postpone a pregnancy. The sympto-thermal method is 99% effective in postponing pregnancy, 100% natural and safe, and low in cost so all couples can get the help they need. It also helps keep your marriage communication growing and is morally accepted. (Description from ccli.org – “What is NFP?” 2024, and CCL Personnel)
Chamberlain: Dr. Renee C. & Mathew Schroeder (605) 234-1534
Huron: Angie & Brad Schutt (605) 461-8887
Pierre: Michele & Pat Snyder (605) 222-8319 or (605) 222-8345
Sioux Falls: Sandra Petree, (605) 421-1104
Live Online or Individual Self-Paced classes are also available through CCL. To find out more about NFP classes contact: https://www.learnnfp.org/natural-plan
Creighton Model FertilityCare System
Creighton Model Fertility Care practitioners provide NFP instruction in a series of private, personalized sessions with long-term professional follow-up care available. This method, which follows an allied health care model (NaProtechnology), has a high success rate not only in achieving and avoiding pregnancy, but also in treating infertility, chronic miscarriage, ovarian cysts, and other gynecologic problems. Please call about an introductory session. (Description by Creighton Model Personnel.)
Aberdeen Avera St. Lukes Fertility Care Services
Introductory Class: Third Tuesday of every month, 7:00 p.m., or by Appointment
Pre-register by calling (605) 622-5730
- Marilyn Wachs, CFCP
- David Wachs, MD, CFCMC, CFCP
- Michael Knapp, DO, CFCMC
- Susan Gutenkauf, FCP
- Krystal Stuwe, FCP
Brookings: Jody Thompson – (605) 690-1529 0r thompsonjody12@gmail.com
Gettysburg: Anna Lacey, (605) 769-0734 or cfcpannalacey@gmail.com
Mitchell: Briana Mueller, FCP, (605) 299-5026 or brianafertilitycare@gmail.com
Sioux Falls: Avera McKennan Fertility Care Services
Second Tuesday of every month, 5:30 p.m. Pre-register by calling Barb Giles , RN (605) 322-4434
Meghan Krueger (605) 323-7320 or meghan1@me.com
Yankton: Donna and Chuck Kramer (402) 357-3596 (Fordyce, NE) or email donna.kramer74@gmail.com
Marquette Method
The Marquette Model (MM) system brings 21st century technology to NFP. It is a system that uses an algorithm with other biological signs of fertility (i.e., urine hormones, mucus and/or temperature) to help identify the woman’s fertile window. The Clearblue fertility monitor is an at home device that measures hormone levels in urine to estimate the beginning and end of the time of fertility in a women’s menstrual cycle. The information from the monitor can be used in conjunction with observations of cervical mucus, basal body temperature, or other biological indicators of fertility. The MM was developed by professional nurses and physicians at Marquette University in the late 1990s. Learning how to monitor fertility through NFP aids a couple in the understanding, appreciation, and holistic integration of this precious gift. Please contact the listed instructor for more information. (Description by Marquette University Institute for Natural Family Planning).
Sioux Falls: Brynn Manning BSN, RN, MMST – (402) 741-0844 or brynn@marquettebymanning.com (available in person and via videocall)
Watertown: Bridget Bauman BSN, Rn, NFP Teacher (605) 886-4049 or nurse@icparishwatertown.org
Vermillion: Sierra Cargill – (712) 253-7408 or sierracargill@gmail.com (available in person and via zoom)
Yankton: Anna Speirs RN, BSN – (605) 520-1276 or anna@nfpwithanna.com (available in person and via zoom)
Medical Consultants & Physicians
These physicians have extensive training with Natural Family Planning and Fertility Care. They do not prescribe contraceptives.
Aberdeen: David Wachs, MD, CFCMC, CFCP Avera St. Luke’s Fertility Care Services, Aberdeen & Family Practice, Avera Aberdeen Family Physicians (605) 225-0378
Michael Knapp, DO, CFCMC, Family Practice (605) 225-0378
Sioux Falls: Glenn Ridder, MD, Family Practice, Director of Avera McKennan Fertility Care Services & Family Practice, Sanford Clinic, Sioux Falls (605) 328-5800