A Pilot Qualitative Case Study of Women's Experiences with Fertility Awareness-Based Methods

Linacre Q. 2023 Feb;90(1):82-93. doi: 10.1177/00243639221133609. Epub 2022 Nov 16.

Abstract

This pilot qualitative case study was able to elicit rich data enabling a description of how women went through the journey of achieving pregnancy using fertility awareness-based methods. Findings underscore that women preferred using natural ways to detect ovulation and would recommend other women to do so, but with healthcare providers' guidance. The findings of this case study can serve as a starting point to provide a framework to understand women's experiences of enduring trial and error with multiple fertility awareness-based methods before discovering their effective method. Findings emphasize the importance for healthcare providers to guide women in using fertility awareness-based methods.

Keywords: Cervical mucus; NFP; fertility awareness; fertility awareness-based methods; fertility health; preconception counseling.