Do I have to Schedule a Follow up on Time?

The short answer: yes! If you want to build confidence, learn the Creighton Model System in full, reach whatever goals you entered Creighton with, then sticking with the follow up schedule is extremely advantageous to you.

I’ll be honest, if I don’t stick with a schedule I won’t get things done. Most likely if it isn’t on the books it isn’t going to happen. For example, I have routine appointments (more than your average person) and if they aren’t on the books there a 9.7/10 chance that it doesn’t get done. Scheduling (and attending) your follow up sessions may feel the same way to you.

Some advantages to a follow up

There are instances where having an appointment on the book seems useless. “Nothing has changed” or “I don’t need help” might be the thought that crosses your mind when you see your upcoming Creighton follow up scheduled, especially after a couple of months of charting. Or, in the beginning of charting it is tempting to be discouraged, wonder why your chart doesn’t look the way you think it should, or render the every two weeks for the first 2 follow ups as “too much time.” And you may be tempted to think or wonder “I don’t really need to go, nothing has changed and I already know the observational routine. And I chart every day, at the end of the day, the most fertile sign of the day.” And while all of that might be true, Creighton builds on itself. For example, on the 4th follow up, we go through an entire health and hygiene section that may just very well help to reduce extra discharge. Or, might be let information to know for later.

Another thing to note is that charts can change. Even a small change, which may seem insignificant or unnoticeable for you, is detectable by your Creighton practitioner. That minor seeming detail might be the difference to discovering a health issue, reason for infertility, or be the reason that you become a better charter. I promise that the hour of your life spent going through your chart and follow up form will reinforce your learning of the method, even if by chance nothing with management has changed.

For those coming into learning the Creighton Model System: you decided to learn for some reason and purpose. And what might look mundane, boring, and just a routine to you might actually reveal something bigger in your chart, a key detail (however small) that can help whatever goal you entered Creighton with. I know that’s the case for me. I scheduled my normal follow up with my Napro doctor, expecting to tell her everything I already knew and be out of my appointment in 15 minutes. Little did I know that that routine appointment, with lab work that I had been monitoring and checking for the last 5 years, actually revealed (finally) a pretty severe thyroid issue that needed fixing. And while I toyed with the idea of cancelling, or that I really didn’t need a follow up with my doctor, I am very glad I did. And while not every follow up might seem earth shattering to you, the consistent attendance of follow ups will allow you to achieve your goals and learn. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your Practitioner to schedule your follow up, or be encouraged to stick with your follow up schedule!