Marquette Method Research

The Marquette Method was developed by Dr. Richard Fehring (PhD, RN) and his team of researchers at the Marquette Institute for Natural Family Planning, and is backed by evidence-based, peer-reviewed medical research.

Much of Dr. Fehring’s research is publicly available. Follow the links below to learn more about the research that supports each of the Marquette Method protocols.

Regular Cycles Effectiveness Research

Fehring, R. J., Schneider, M., & Raviele, K. (2011). Pilot evaluation of an internet-based natural family planning education and service program. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 40(3), 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01237.x

Fehring, R. J., & Schneider, M. (2017). Effectiveness of a natural family planning service program. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 42(1), 43–49. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMC.0000000000000296

Read More: How Effective is the Marquette Method of NFP?

Breastfeeding Protocol Effectiveness Research

Bouchard, T., Fehring, R. J., & Schneider, M. (2013). Efficacy of a new postpartum transition protocol for avoiding pregnancy. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 26(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2013.01.12012

Fehring, R. J., Schneider, M., & Bouchard, T. (2017). Effectiveness of an online natural family planning program for breastfeeding women. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 46(4), e129–e137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.010

Read More: How Effective are Marquette’s Breastfeeding Protocols?

Perimenopause Efficacy Research

Fehring, R. J., & Mu, Q. (2014). Cohort efficacy study of natural family planning among perimenopause age women. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 43(3), 351–358. https://doi.org/10.1111/1552-6909.12307

The State of NFP Research: A third-party comparative review  of NFP effectiveness research

Peragallo Urrutia, R., Polis, C. B., Jensen, E. T., Greene, M. E., Kennedy, E., & Stanford, J. B. (2018). Effectiveness of fertility awareness–based methods for pregnancy prevention: A systematic review. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 132(3), 591. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002784

How Effective is Natural Family Planning?

For a more accessible, plain-language explanation of how natural family planning effectiveness studies are conducted, and how unintended pregnancy rates are determined, read my blog post on natural family planning effectiveness.