Who we are
Natural Fertility New Zealand Incorporated (NFNZ) is a national organisation of trained and continuously up-dated Fertility Educators who have undergone an extensive training programme in natural fertility management. Fertility Educators provide education on fertility awareness and teach natural fertility management to individuals, couples, medical and health professionals.
We are a registered charity with the Charities Commission (CC24974) and receive District Health Board funding. However, this is insufficient to cover all the costs of the service and, therefore, clients are also charged a small fee. In keeping with our ethos as a charity we will assist clients who are unable to pay the full cost with discounted fees but this must be discussed with the Fertility Educator at the time of making the appointment and/or prior to the consultation.
What we do
Fertility Educators hold clinics in most main centres throughout New Zealand and there is a Distance Education Service available nationally and internationally for those clients unable to personally attend a clinic.
We also provide group education for schools and community groups and Continuing Medical Education (CME points) for medical and health professionals. We are recognised by the Midwifery Council of New Zealand for CME elective points and provide the fertility awareness component of the Sexual Health Workers training for NZ Family Planning.
NFNZ maintains a helpline for medical and health professionals who have questions on fertility issues. This is available Tuesday - Friday weekly between the hours of 10am & 2pm, call 07 / 867 7805.
Who we can help and Clients we see
We see and are able to work with clients who want to:
Achieve Pregnancy
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achieve a pregnancy after a time of unsuccessful "trying"
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time intercourse to maximise changes of pregnancy where there is a low sperm count
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time a pregnancy to suit their lifestyle or specific needs
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maximise their chances of pregnancy in a short or specific timeframe because of
- endometriosis surgery
- advancing biological clock
- couples separated due to work commitments (eg, service personnel such as army and navy; athletes; shift
workers)
- gay couples arranging sperm donation
Avoid pregnancy
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avoid pregnancy in a manner that fits within a personal desire for a natural lifestyle
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use a natural form of contraception due to their concern about the long-term effects of hormonal contraception
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ensure optimum quality and quantity of breastmilk while breastfeeding
clients consult us for a natural form of contraception because of:
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contraindications to other methods of contraception
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medical advice to avoid other forms of contraception
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a personal disinclination to use other methods
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women near menopause who are entering into a sexual relationship after a time of celibacy
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contraception during the peri menopausal stage
Learn Fertility Awareness
How we provide our services
We provide our services through private, confidential consultations with individuals and couples and to groups through education sessions.
Individual Consultations
Achieving Pregnancy
Individuals and couples are taught in a programme of three consultations in a private and confidential clinic-setting to recognise their most fertile mucus, whether ovulation is occurring and whether the luteal phase is within the fertile range. Educators keep in contact with clients for up to 12 months and, if pregnancy has not occured within this time (or earlier if a problem is identified) will, with the consent of the client, provide a clinical history for referral to the GP or Specialist.
Contraception while Breastfeeding
If the mother is fully breastfeeding, has had no bleeding or spotting after the baby is 8 weeks' old and the baby is less than 6 months' old then the LAM contraception method (approved by the World Health Organisation) can be taught. Mothers are taught this in an individual consultation and the Educator keeps in contact monthly to ensure that circumstances have not changed.
It is very important that the method is taught by knowledgeable and experienced Educators and that mothers recognise the signs of returning fertility.
NFNZ has the only Accredited training programme in New Zealand for teaching the LAM method of contraception. Where the specific LAM criteria cannot be met, an alternative natural method of contraception is taught - Breastfeeding Charting.
Avoiding Pregnancy
Educators teach the Sympto-Thermal method of pregnancy avoidance which is more than 98% effective when used by knowledgeable and motivated clients. Clients are taught over 3 consultations to recognise the naturally occurring signs of fertility so that they cabn either avoid intercourse during the fertile time or choose to use a barrier method during the fertile time.
Group Education
NFNZ Educators provide group Education sessions for:
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schools
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community groups
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young mothers groups
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La Leche League
NFNZ Educators provide Education in a group setting for:
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doctors
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practice nurses
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other medical and health professionals
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Fertility component of the NZ Family Planning Sexual Health Educators course
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Midwifery Council of NZ CME approved course for elective points
Our People
NFNZ is the only organisation in New Zealand funded by District Health Boards to provide natural fertility awareness and management programmes to the public. Our Educators undergo extensive training and supervision to ensure that the service they provide to the public is of a consistently high standard.
Our Fertility Educators mainly come from a medical or health professional background and (in addition to their existing qualification of nurse, midwife, doctor, naturopath, etc) they undergo a theory and practical training course which takes six months. This is then followed by a period of superision before they are Accredited as Fertility Educators with NFNZ. All Educators undergo a full clinical audit every two years and are re-accredited to NFNZ annually.
NFNZ is committed to the on-going trainging of its Educators through training days and monthly updates about medical advances and relevant scientific research.
Organisational Structure
NFNZ is:
governed by a Board made up primarily of outside appointees,
managed by a Chief Executive Officer assisted by Clinical Staff with National responsibilities
provided with expert advice and opinion by a Medical Scientific Advisory Board
Where to find us
Our National Office staffed by a CEO and Executive Assistant is based in Wellington and we have Fertility Educators in most main centres of New Zealand and a Distance Education Service for areas where there is no clinic and for International clients. Click here to contact us.
NFNZ is Committed to
- being nationally consistent
- empowering women
- supporting individuals and couples
- supporting families
- respecting the Treaty of Waitangi
- focussing on fertility awareness and natural fertility management
- using scientifically reliable procedures
- providing value for money
- promoting good health
Future Directions
NFNZ is a primary health provider, with a focus on Reproductive Health education and care aimed at averting later costly secondary level involvement for clients who require fertility services.
Our Mission Statement:
"To be recognised as the authority on fertility awareness and natural family planning in New Zealand"
BOARD CHAIRMAN
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 Dr Roger Wigglesworth is currently chairperson of the Natural Fertility N.Z. Board.
Dr Roger Wigglesworth is a Director, Tourism, Events and Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development
He has worked in both the public and private sector, in policy and human resources roles and brings a wealth of experience to the organisation.
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BOARD
Dr Roger Wigglesworth (Chair)
Sharron Cole
Alison Quesnel
Kim Walker
Emanuel Kalafatelis
Dr Patricia Mahoney
Dr Alison Goodwin
Nygellhuw Morris
MEDICAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Dr Guy Gudex
Dr Alison Goodwin
Jane Knight, Fertility UK
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about us 
