Billings Method Procedure

History of the Billings Ovulations Method

In the early 1950's Dr. John Billings of Melbourne, Australia was asked to act as a medical advisor to couples who wished to use natural methods of family planning. The only natural methods then available were Rhythm and the Basal Body Temperature method. Both of these methods proved unreliable and unnecessarily limiting when the woman's cycles were long and irregular.

Dr. Billings went to the medical literature hoping to find a clue that would lead to the development of a better more effective natural method. There he found a reference dating back to 1855 about a mucus secretion produced by the cervix of the uterus close to the time of ovulation. The physical and chemical properties of this secretion was a familiar observation to healthy fertile woman. He recognised the possible significance of the mucus as a marker of ovulation and wondered if this secretion could be used by women as a signal of fertility.

He then began to question a number of women about their observations of this secretion. They all confirmed that they had observed a mucus secretion during the menstrual cycle, but hadn't understood its significance.

This was the clue he was looking for, the familiarity of healthy fertile women with the mucus secretion. It then became a matter of determining whether a typical mucus pattern existed during the cycle, and whether women could identify their fertile phase.

With the co-operation of hundreds of women a standard mucus pattern quickly emerged. It became evident that the sensation produced by the mucus, as well as its appearance, could enable women to recognise the onset of fertility.

In 1962 Dr. Billings asked Dr. James Brown, an endocrinologist at the University of Melbourne, to conduct research correlating the accuracy of women's observations of the cervical mucus pattern with the ovarian hormonal patterns associated with ovulation. Dr. Brown agreed and thus there began a comprehensive program of combined clinical and laboratory research. Hundreds of women's cycles in all reproductive categories were tested. By 1964 the researchers were convinced that women's observations of their cervical mucus pattern identified their fertility as accurately as sophisticated laboratory tests.

The data from the research done by Dr.J.B.Brown and a number of his colleagues provided scientific verification of the new method, now called the Billings Ovulation Method or Ovulation Method.

In 1964 Dr. Lyn Billings became involved in her husband's research. She began to train teachers and helped to refine and simplify the method.

Drs Lyn and John Billings travel widely each year, teaching and lecturing on the Ovulation Method.

In recent years their scientific research has been expanded by the collaboration of Professor Erik Odeblad of the University of Umea, Sweden. Using advanced modern technology, Professor Odeblad has identified different types of cervical mucus formed during the menstrual cycle by defining the physical properties and some of the chemical constituents. His research is concerned especially with the biophysical properties of cervical mucus and their correlation with the principles and guidelines of the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning. It supports the observations made by women of their cervical mucus patterns at all phases of their reproductive life and offers a more comprehensive interpretation of the mucus patterns experienced by women who are ceasing or have ceased taking contraceptive medication and of those women who are breast-feeding.

The Ovulation Method can be used both to achieve and avoid pregnancy. When used to achieve pregnancy, the couple of normal fertility will usually conceive within three cycles. When used to avoid pregnancy, the Ovulation Method has a method effectiveness of 99.5% (See Effectiveness Studies, for more information).

The method which has been taught in Ireland for almost thirty years was first introduced in the early 1970's. Our two offices are at N.A.O.M.I., 16, North Great George's Street, Dublin 1. (Tel. 01-8786156) and N.A.O.M.I. 36, Washington Street, Cork (Tel. 021-272213). We have also centres throughout Ireland and provide a postal service for areas with no convenient contact.

In Ireland the method is taught by experienced teachers who themselves are users of the method. All of our Teachers and Tutors have been accredited from WOOMB in Australia and attend regular 'In-Service Training' and Seminars to up-date their knowledge. The Billings Ovulation Method teachers can help you interpret your observations.