This study, conducted by Research Team of Ovulation Method Research and Reference Centre of Australia Ltd. included all couples aiming to achieve a pregnancy who enrolled at any one of 17 Australian Billings Ovulation Method® clinics within the required time frame. All couples were included regardless of age, cycle length, or pre-diagnosed sub-fertile indicators of either partner.
The Billings Ovulation Method has undergone intensive study and research and has been the subject of a number of published trials. What is clear from all the studies on the Billings Ovulation Method® is that couples wishing to use the Billings Ovulation Method should be made aware of the importance of gaining accurate information and encouraged to seek the assistance from an experienced accredited teacher of the method to achieve success.
A look at how the Billings Ovulation Method® can be used to regulate fertility whilst breastfeeding and managing the return to regular ovulatory cycles.
Production of breast milk is controlled by the hormone prolactin which is produced in the anterior pituitary gland. During pregnancy the levels of prolactin rise 35-fold* over pre-pregnancy levels. Following birth the levels of prolactin begin to fall. The rate at which the prolactin falls relates to the frequency of suckling of the baby at the breast. If the baby suckles frequently, deriving all nourishment from the breast, prolactin levels will usually remain high. As the length of time between feeds increases and the amount of milk consumed decreases (as other foods are introduced) the levels of prolactin will fall, spiking up at each feed and dropping between feeds.