Getting the Most Out of Your Follow-ups

After the Introductory Session, clients are usually feeling excited about the information they have just learned, a little overwhelmed, or a combination of the two. We end the Introductory Session by stating that the next step in learning the Creighton Model is to attend follow-ups. Follow-ups are crucial to learning the Creighton Model, and for learning it well. During a follow-up, very specific questions are asked about how observations are made and the chart is reviewed in a detailed day-by-day fashion. There are also various learning points covered at the follow-ups depending on where the client is in learning the method. I often liken learning the Creighton Model to learning a new language: it takes time and practice in the beginning with someone who is a “native” speaker of Creighton Model charting before a client is able to successfully and accurately chart on their own.  With that in mind, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your follow-ups.

Stick to the follow-up schedule: In the beginning, the follow-up schedule is fairly intense: the client and CFCP meet every two weeks for the first two months of charting. While that may sound excessive, it really allows the CFCP and client to work through small amounts of charting at a time while it is still fresh in the client’s mind. This is a great advantage to learning the method because any charting errors can be clarified and corrected quickly to allow the client to gain confidence in her charting much sooner. Waiting a month or more before meeting with your CFCP for a first follow-up will significantly lengthen the time of the first follow-up as well as negatively impact a client’s knowledge of the method as charting errors may have been going on for a month or more. We of course understand that it may not always be possible to stick exactly to the follow-up schedule due to all the busyness of life, but the clients who are most successful with the method are the ones who are able to stick to the follow-up schedule.

Send your chart to your CFCP ahead of your follow-up time: This one is huge! Your CFCP always appreciates it when you are able to send your chart ahead of your follow-up appointment (think anywhere from 2 hours before to even the night before). This allows your CFCP to take a good look at your chart ahead of the follow-up so they can devise an overall chart management plan while maintaining a good and timely flow to the follow-up, which means a more efficient and succinct follow-up for the client! This is especially critical for charts needing more intense management (looking at you yellow stamps) so chart management strategies can be discussed in a meaningful way between the client and the CFCP during the follow-up.

Do your homework: At the end of each follow-up, the CFCP usually gives some sort of homework assignment.  Whether it’s reading a small section from the User Manual, completing the SPICE Index, or even the Observation and Cycle Review, these homework assignments are meant to help the client learn the method that much better. The reading assignments allow for the client to learn various nuances of the method which are then discussed during the next follow-up to make sure adequate learning of the that particular point of the method has occurred. The Observation and Cycle Review is an assignment that can provide a huge confidence boost in a client’s understanding of the method at the fourth follow-up, just before the follow-up schedule starts to space out. None of the assignments are designed to take more than 10-15 minutes, so finding the time to complete them prior to your next follow-up allows the client to get the most out of that follow-up.

     While it may seem like a commitment to learning the Creighton Model system, it is a system that a woman can use for her whole reproductive life, no matter what stage she is in. Follow-ups are crucial to learning the method well, and your CFCP is there to support you every step of the way. Reach out to one of our practitioners today to get started!