It has been estimated that approximately 20% of couples trying to have a child are unable to do so. Yet most couples are unprepared for infertility and unaware that in many cases it can be overcome.

Infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive after 12 to 18 months of sexual intercourse without contraception.

The ability to conceive and give birth reaches its peak at about the age of 25 in both men and women.

In women, reproductive ability declines between 30 & 40, then rapidly as the menopause approaches.

In men fertility gradually diminishes from about the age of 50.
Failure to conceive could be due to physical or psychological problems.
For couples who want to have a child, the ‘Billings Ovulation Method’ can help them to achieve this.

The Billings Ovulation Method teaches a woman to interpret her natural signs of fertility through all her changing life stages from puberty to menopause.

By learning to observe your body signals, you can soon discover that nature clearly indicates times of fertility and infertility.

Many women experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant have found success by being attentive to the cervical mucus that indicates fertility and timing intercourse to coincide with it.

Ovulation occurs on only one day in each cycle and the egg lives for only 12-24 hours unless fertilised. Sperm need mucus in order to survive for more than a very short time. However, in the presence of mucus indicating fertility, sperm may live 3-5 days.

A couple’s fertility depends on:

• normal ovulation
• healthy sperm
• healthy cervix producing satisfactory mucus
• healthy endometrium (lining of the womb)
• healthy fallopian tubes
• harmonious relationship between the couple.
• contraceptives work to interfere with the operation of one or more of these factors.
• success of the Billings Ovulation Method depends on:
  • proper teaching
  • correct understanding
  • accurate observation and daily charting
  • mutual motivation and loving co-operation between the couple.

For more information and help contact a Billings Family Life Centre near you.

Billings Family Life Centre
27 Alexander Parade,
Fitzroy North, Vic. 3068

Telephone (03) 9481 1722
Toll free 1800 335 860
Facsimile (03) 9482 4208
Website www.woomb.org

Other centres throughout Australia:
Adelaide (08) 8369 2232
Albury (02) 6025 4846
Brisbane (07) 5444 8085
Cairns (07) 4054 4838
Canberra (02) 6239 7655
Darwin (08) 8948 2722
Geelong (03) 5243 9779
Launceston (03) 6339 2230
Perth (08) 9364 7593
Sydney (02) 9399 3033
Townsville (07) 4772 6382
Wagga Wagga (02) 6931 1375
Wangaratta (02) 5727 0224