FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) is a comprehensive women’s health and wellness program for achieving optimal reproductive health. It is completely based on scientific research and has the aim of helping women learn more about their bodies and achieve their health and fertility goals by identifying daily hormonal shifts. FEMM recognises that ovulation is a sign of health. So the FEMM team includes FEMM teachers who help their clients identify whether they are ovulating or not, and FEMM’s medical doctors who prescribe treatment to optimize ovulation for those clients who have irregular ovulation or do not ovulate at all.

Women, who are familiar with their biomarkers (eg cervical mucous) and healthy/unhealthy signs, can identify health and menstrual cycle irregularities and have the tools they need to seek advanced care and support. Whilst FEMM teachers teach women all they need to know about charting and monitoring their biomarkers, FEMM medical doctors offer comprehensive physical and lab workups tests to diagnose and treat the root cause of health conditions – rather than simply managing symptoms.

Who can benefit from FEMM?

FEMM is aimed at all women of reproductive age and even including younger women who are expecting their first period. It supports women who want to track their reproductive health and learn what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like. Charting with FEMM helps women who want to avoid or postpone pregnancy, by understanding their fertility and learning how to identify the non-fertile days for safe intercourse. It can also help women who want to achieve pregnancy by helping them understand and use their fertile days to increase their chances of getting pregnant.

Women who become familiar with FEMM will start to understand how symptoms are often symptoms of hormonal imbalance. These include acne, pelvic/abdominal pain, anxiety, depression, menstrual cycle irregularity, migraines or PMS. Unfortunately, some women start to accept these symptoms as part of their ‘normal’ cycle. Moreover, some women also use medication to relieve these symptoms. However, this approach does not always tackle the root cause of these symptoms. It is much better to find out the reason for these symptoms and get the necessary support and medication that can help eliminate these symptoms once and for all. This optimizes both health and fertility. The medical management in FEMM takes this approach.

It is important to note that although FEMM can help a lot in achieving or avoiding pregnancy, it is not solely intended for women who are interested in managing their fertility. FEMM firmly believes that ovulation is a sign of health. Consequently, irregular ovulation will be pointing to other underlying health issues. So irrespective of women’s fertility goals, FEMM medical management is there to help women optimize their health.

How does FEMM work?

FEMM works through trained teachers and FEMM medical doctors. FEMM educators help their clients learn how to monitor their cycles through the observation of biomarkers. If a FEMM teacher notices abnormalities in a client’s chart or complains of several symptoms, she facilitates a meeting with the FEMM doctor. In this meeting, the FEMM medical doctor assesses the situation and carries out all necessary tests. FEMM medical doctors use several hormonal and other lab tests to find out the root of the problem.

What is particularly interesting about FEMM is that, once the root cause is identified, the treatment given will focus on improving the symptoms and issues relating to it. Test results are read in an in-depth way and according to the phase of the menstrual cycle of each particular woman. This also points to the importance of charting. Charting makes it possible to identify ovulation and take tests on the appropriate days.

To give one example, a basic test, which is known as the ‘Day 21 progesterone test’, should be taken 7 days after ovulation. ‘Day 21’ derives from a very inaccurate view that each woman ovulated roughly around day 14 of her cycle. However, research shows that only a small percentage of women ovulate on Day 14. Some women ovulate before and some women ovulate after day 14 thus making the ‘day 21’ test inaccurate. A woman who learns how to chart her menstrual cycles with FEMM can pinpoint her ovulation. Thus she will have a much greater chance of having a more accurate reading of the ‘day 21’ progesterone.

FEMM in Malta

There are FEMM teachers and an RHRI trained doctor in Malta. Thus, we are willing to extend our services to many more women. Over the past year, we have worked with around 40 women. Six of these contacted us because of fertility issues. Most of these women managed to conceive within months of starting treatment. Some women may take longer than others to achieve their health/fertility goals. Yet, in this process, each woman gets to know how her body works better. This is another beautiful part of the FEMM journey.

FEMM Contacts in Malta and other countries

The best way to contact FEMM providers in Malta is by sending a message on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/femm.mt or an email at femm.mt@gmail.com. One can also find out more about the services provided by FEMM on the main website: www.femmhealth.org.

Some research can be found in this section of FEMM’s website: https://femmhealth.org/professional-education/research/ FEMM’s medical providers are all qualified doctors who are further trained by the RHRI institute. More details about this institute can be found here: https://femmhealth.org/professional-education/health-research-institute/

Stories from women

“After years of masking my symptoms with birth control pills, FEMM teachers and the FEMM tracking system have helped me to look into the root causes of my symptoms and find long-term healing. I have found so much freedom in understanding my body and its needs. Not only has FEMM helped me to address my struggles with acne and irregular cycles, but it has also allowed me to see my body and my cycle as a gift instead of a curse.”
continue reading the story of Brigid Hoagland…

We are still compiling local stories to be able to share them on our social media platforms. Here are some stories of women living abroad who have benefited from FEMM: https://femmhealth.org/stories/

The post FEMM Health – What is it? appeared first on Universe of Faith.

January Donovan’s vision for women

During my interview with January, I could easily sense that she does not only look good but she also feels good about herself. Moreover, she also has a passion to see other women feeling good as well.

The Women’s Arena Quiz

January has been training women for over 20 years. Then in 2019 “The Woman School” came into existence with the foundational program being The ABW Masterclass. The school caters for two main audiences: single women and mothers. During these years, January has trained thousands of women, one woman at a time, to become what she calls “whole”. This concept of wholeness, or rather living an integrated life, is central to January’s vision of womanhood. In her Women’s Arena Quiz, you can get a score and a description of how “whole” you are in the areas of self-image, health, family, environment, contribution, friendship, intimacy and wealth.

The Concept of “Wholeness”

January believes that today’s woman faces a lot of demands. She believes that generosity is the fulfillment of a woman, but she also believes that a woman cannot give from a place of tiredness. “As women, we are designed to nurture life. Where we fail, as a society, is to train women to receive. What can we give if we are empty? Our generosity becomes unsustainable and inconsistent, and instead of giving from a place of wholeness we give from a place of depletion. We are meant to be a reservoir for society; to quench its thirst. But if we are thirsty ourselves we cannot give from what we do not possess. In order to become a reservoir we first need to fill our cups,” she says.

For the women who are also mothers, January believes that “Motherhood should be a place of dreams and fulfillment not a place of depletion and resentment. To be honest, my transition to motherhood was seamless. It was seamless not because I had a special power or because there was something unique about me. I just had training. I could understand the difference that training had made for me when I saw that other mothers’ lives were chaotic and mine was peaceful. It was simply because someone had guided me in the basic human skills that led to spiritual receptivity and growth.” January is currently leading a training on postpartum depression.

The need for training

January states that we are called to live a life of peace, joy and freedom. However, she believes that a woman’s body, mind, spirit and soul need to be trained. “Sometimes we don’t wake up in the morning ready to receive the gifts that God wants to give us through training. It’s the same as going to the Olympics.  If I don’t train regularly, or only when I feel like, I would have a lesser chance of winning that gold medal. I think we are void of formation.”

She continued: “The same goes for sanctity. I need to show up everyday and train my body, my mind, spirit, soul and every part of my life in an integrated way so that I might become the saint that God wants me to be. Sanctity is a call that is within us all, but it requires work. God has designed a life of peace, joy and freedom for all, but he doesn’t push it down our throat. He just invites us to deepen our strength. ‘The Woman School’ is like a boot camp where women could learn deep formation. We form ourselves humanly to prepare ourselves for spiritual receptivity. We can’t push sanctity without forming the human person and forget or ignore our animalistic state. There’s a hierarchy of formation that is necessary. Moreover, you can’t see the other person’s value if you don’t recognise your own.”

January describes herself as being still a student in her own work. “Since ‘The Woman School’ started I always created the mental space to continue to grow in my call, even though there were seasons in my life where I was very busy. Of course there were times when I had to pause, like when I had a new baby or four kids under the age of 4. Today I still study, learn skills, time myself in the kitchen, create a routine and a rhythm of life, protect my mind, and study my emotions and where thoughts come from. I do this with intention, knowing that there is so much to learn, unlearn and relearn. I just train without giving myself excuses.”

“My work is an extended part of my vocation,” says January. “There is integration between my work and my family; not work-life balance. There is a big difference between the two. Balance is about constantly juggling. Integration is about trying to unite both because of the purpose behind it.”

So, what kind of women is ‘The Woman School’ for? “The Woman School’ is open for any woman who is willing to grow, and humble enough to say ‘I haven’t arrived’,” says January.

Who is January Donovan?

January Donovan was born in the Philippines. She grew up and spent the first 11 years of her life there. “When I was 7 years old, my parents left for America in search of a better life. They stayed there for 5 years without coming back to the Philippines, since it was the only way that they could get a visa. During those years I lived with my uncle and my aunt.”

“I had a rich childhood, a good education and a great family but at the same time there was a lot of hardship from not seeing my parents. This left me with a sense of abandonment and loneliness which drew me more intimately to God,” says January. “As a little girl I used to talk to God and cry out to him. I also saw poverty around me even though we lived a comfortable life. This island was also a place where I experienced richness of life because we laughed a lot, we ate a lot and we celebrated a lot.”

When January went to America she felt a sense of gratitude for the new things she had but she realised that she didn’t have a proper formation.  She didn’t really know what it was to be a woman. “My mother was not there while I was growing up, so I didn’t know how I should behave as a woman. There was a sense of confusion in my childhood about what was really right, true and beautiful in life.”

A Turbulent Teenage

At 16 years of age January went through a very difficult moment which left her very sad. During this time she had 2 unplanned pregnancies which ended in abortion. “It was a difficult season in my life but it was also the beginning of my journey and a call to rebuild myself as a woman.  Like many teenagers I ended up with a boyfriend. All of my friends were drinking and getting into trouble. I remember saying to myself ‘I don’t want to be like that, I want more. I want richness of life.’ I felt without direction, trying to figure things out on my own.”

The start of her College years were the lowest time of her life. “I felt depressed, lost and wanting meaning. I remember looking at other women who were confident and strong, wishing I was them and saying to myself ‘I could never be that woman’.” Three weeks into College, January met a mentor who asked her: ‘What kind of woman do you want to be? Let’s design who you want to be for the world.’ The mentor gave January homework from one session to the next, month after month for three and a half years.

Her first homework included making her bed every morning, spending time in adoration and getting rid of comparisons and competition with other women. “These months were a gift for me,” describes January. She started to experience a real change. “My wounds became my compass. I reflected on my own wounds and challenges. And I always prayed, even though I didn’t know God intimately.”

After ten years of not dating anyone, January eventually met Ryan, her husband, with whom she has 8 children. But how does she manage to give good quality service in both her family and her work? “This requires a lot of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual training. My mentor helped me learn to manage my mind, draw boundaries and manage my emotions,” she concludes.

The way forward

January hopes that she will continue to expand on her school which is also a business. She dreams of having 10,000 formators (trainers) in the thirteen different countries in which the Woman School operates so far: America, the Philippines, Canada, England, Malta, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Uganda, Mexico, Columbia, India, Guatemala.

Review from Mariella Catania (Malta)

I happened to listen to January and her husband Ryan, speak at an online conference, and there January mentioned ‘The Woman School’. I filled in the ‘arena’ questionnaire and its answers were very interesting. At the same time, I was realising that in life I had some goals that I wanted to achieve but I just did not have the necessary skills.

Skills do not come on their own, we need to acquire them. January has recognised this truth and has thus designed a course to help women acquire the necessary skills to fulfill their goals and dreams. This course, ‘About being a woman’, is comprised of different modules. Each module deals with different areas that are part of a woman’s life. The modules are very interesting and practical.

One of the best things about this course is that its aim is not only for the benefit of the women following it, but it will also benefit many people who will be in contact with this woman, and who can partake in her light and wholeness.

Review from Elizabeth Russell (America)

Besides gaining confidence in areas that I never thought that I would, I am feeling much healthier physically and spiritually. I’m losing weight and spending more time outside without getting migranes. That is so new! I’m living life as a dream come true. I have met women I didn’t knew existed before. They try to follow Christ, they are faithful, beautiful, they are shining. My self-image has improved. I realised that when I let God work into my life I live beauty. This course helps women get the skills that they need in a short time (6 months). I thought it will take me a lifetime to learn them all.

Read more:
– Brilliant Message by Fernando Pessoa not Pope Francis
– Catholic Prayers For Strength

The post The Woman School and the Story of January Donovan appeared first on Universe of Faith.

The Woman Struggling With Issues Of Mental Health

Dr Astrid distinguishes between her approach with a woman who is in a state of panic and another who has long standing mental disorders. She believes that when a woman is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, she is taken by storm. In these cases it is understandable that her initial reaction is one of rejection. Consequently, the mother can have the impulsion to do something drastic about the situation.

Dealing with the crisis 

Dr Astrid believes that, in such situations, the first thing to do is to go into a thorough discussion with the person in front of her. “My role is to help the couple or the mother to think clearly. Sometimes the mother just needs to see and reason things out by discussing the situation.  Most of the time, after one or more sessions, she realises that her initial reaction was rash. The mother realises that the situation is not so tragic after all.  I have seen many turning points happen when the mother sees the foetus on ultrasound. When the mother feels that there is a living creature within her she actually bonds.”

Dr Astrid continues: “In some cases it is necessary to engage the help of a psychologist for more support. The psychologist can help the mother decide which is the best way forward.  I work closely with several male and female psychologists who can help in this regard. If the mother chooses not to keep the baby, one can offer other options like adoption. One does all that one can to steer away from the decision to abort. I am happy to say that in my experience, besides all the women who after our discussions decided to keep their baby, about ten women decided to give the baby up for adoption. Unfortunately, at this stage, if the mother has decided not to continue with the pregnancy, she disappears,  and seeks help elsewhere to abort.”

Sometimes guilt drives a woman away from the decision to abort. Other women try to justify their decision to abort by convincing themselves that they cannot offer the child a decent life. My question is always ‘are you ready to kill your child instead of giving him/her a life with someone else?’

The Consequences of Aborting or Keeping a Pregnancy

Dr Astrid believes that if the mother is considering abortion, she must be made aware of the consequences. “The consequences of aborting are usually psychological. They are rarely medical.  However, online abortive pills, are unreliable and dangerous. They carry the risk of haemorrhage for the expectant mother.  On the other hand, should the mother decide to proceed with the pregnancy it is our duty to offer as much support as possible. This is an admirable decision to take. By keeping the pregnancy the mother may have chosen to take a much more difficult path.

In the cases of severe mental health disorders Dr Astrid explains that “even if the pregnancy can be turbulent especially if the mother is on particular medications. However, these women can still deliver a healthy child.

The Woman Whose Life Is In Danger

Dr Astrid confirms that the unavailability of abortion in Malta does not impinge in any way on the availability of optimal care for the pregnant mother. She confirms that direct abortion, the purposeful destruction of the preborn baby, is not medically necessary to save the life of the mother:  “It is always our top priority to do all that is medically possible to safeguard the mother.  Unfortunately, this is not always successful. However, we are rarely faced with situations where terminating the pregnancy increases the chances of survival for the mother.” With the excellent rate of survival for preterm babies in Malta, we can opt to deliver the baby as early as 26 weeks. Hence this reduces or completely removes, the risk of death for the mother.

There are other times when the death of the embryo is inevitable. This is the case with ectopic pregnancies, when the embryo implants outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tube. In such pregnancies, the growing foetus would burst the tube. Hence the pregnancy would still be interrupted.  Intervening surgically, in these cases, saves the mother without changing the fate of the foetus.

The Woman Whose Baby Has A Foetal Abnormality Or Is A Still Born

Dr Astrid describes how parents are informed and supported when there is a prenatal diagnosis of a foetal abnormality.  “Parents who are expecting a child with abnormalities are made fully aware of the situation as soon as it is confirmed. Then one has to prepare for possible eventualities according to the prognosis. The likelihood of survival after birth is discussed.  Midwives in Malta offer a very sound support system for these parents. This support continues even after birth and includes psychological care.  Abortion is not offered as an option.

Dr Astrid adds that “although the diagnosis is made prenatally, sometimes it is difficult to predict the extent to which the condition will affect the foetus after birth. In other situations, it is clear and one would know exactly the impact on the wellbeing of the child.  Occasionally, there are cases that prove very difficult to manage.

One such case Dr Astrid describes was when an ultrasound performed at 20 weeks gestation showed the presence of a large haemorrhage in the brain of the foetus.  “The area of blood was so extensive; it was obscuring most of the brain.  The scans were sent to a centre in London for consultation.  The initial advice was to abort.  The parents refused. They also refused the suggestion to tap the brain to release the blood in utero.”

The scans were then sent to America for a second opinion. This centre had encountered three cases of an antenatal brain haemorrhage. Two of the three mothers had chosen to abort the baby. One mother had decided to continue the pregnancy. She experienced something unexpected.  The blood slowly started to resolve, and by birth, it had cleared up completely.

“The same happened to my clients’ baby. Their child was born perfectly healthy. ” 

Continuing a pregnancy when the baby is going to die or is stillborn

Some women don’t want to carry their baby to term if they know that the child is suffering from a condition that is not compatible with life after birth. “There are times when during the pregnancy we already know that the baby will probably die during or soon after birth.  In these situations, trying to deliver a foetus early can also have consequences on the mother’s health. So it is not advisable to intervene prematurely as this could affect the ability of that mother to bear other children in the future.

It is a very difficult situation for the parents and family. However, with adequate psychological support, the pregnancy can be continued and the chances of medical complications are reduced. Most parents also feel better with this process. They feel that the baby’s death was natural and in no way instigated. By letting the pregnancy proceed to a natural end, they feel that they were in no way a part of the destiny of this child. They feel that the death of their child was natural and not brought on by interventions in any way.

Dr Astrid explains how if babies are stillborn, the mother usually gets to know very close to the delivery or during the delivery itself.  This situation is very traumatic and requires a lot of compassion and support.  Midwives play an important role in these situations and can offer great support.

The Woman Who Believes She Has A Right To Choose Over Her Body

Living within a society carries with it obligations towards others. It includes taking responsibility for our actions. Dr Astrid questions those who believe that a woman has every right to do what she pleases with her pregnancy. She asks: “Why does the preborn child have to pay the price? Who is going to take responsibility for the termination? Who will be the advocate for this baby?

The embryo should be considered as human life from conception. Once a male and female cell come together and a foetus starts to form, interruption by medical or surgical means is nothing but murder. The healthy embryo, left in its own natural environment will live. It is when the embryo is removed from this place that it dies. The embryo is a particular living entity. It is not the same as having only a sperm which is also a living entity but can do nothing on its own. Without interruption, the embryo will grow into a baby. The foetus should be protected for this reason. A foetus is more vulnerable since it cannot protect itself. It is ironic that the foetus should be killed by the person who gave it life and who is supposed to protect it!!

She continues to explain how nature provides that, “once a mother is pregnant she has no choice but to deliver.  Whether the mother likes it or not, labour will start at some point. It cannot be helped. Her only choice would be how to deliver; vaginally or by caesarean section.

The Woman Whose Preborn Child Is The Result Of A Casual Relationship

Sometimes a woman finds it hard to accept the pregnancy because it is the fruit of a casual or an extra-marital relationship. Dr Astrid says: “In the case of a pregnancy following a casual or an extra-marital relationship, the first thing to establish is whether the mother intends to continue or stop this relationship.  If she intends to stop the relationship, the advice would be to come clean with her partner/husband and move forward with the pregnancy. This of course carries the risk of her partner/husband not accepting the situation. It may even lead to a break up in the relationship or marriage. Should the mother wish to stop her relationship with her partner it is also important to see the reaction of the baby’s father to the news of the pregnancy. The mother must be aware that she may end up completely alone and unsupported.”

“We are only there to guide and give advice.  It is up to the parents to make the final decisions on the course of action,” says Dr Astrid.

The Woman Who Has Been Raped

The trauma of unwanted intercourse, because of the lack of consent from the victim, can result in an unplanned pregnancy. This is not easy to accept. Dr Astrid says, “If a woman is sexually assaulted, she has the choice to take emergency contraception if there is the risk of her getting pregnant Yet, if emergency contraception is taken when the egg has already been fertilised, it can prevent the embryo from implanting in the uterus. Thus this terminates its life.”

If the woman does get pregnant she will need a lot of support to reach a decision not to abort the child. In these cases, it is even more difficult than if the relationship was consensual. The mother may experience strong feelings of rejection towards the child because of the way it was conceived.  

The Young Teen

Findings in a 2010 study revealed that 12.3% of pupils of school-leaving age in Malta, have practised sexual intercourse. Dr Astrid explains that teaching abstinence is to be encouraged for both the emotional and physical wellbeing of the teenager.

For the teenager who does not want to postpone sex till s/he is in a stable relationship or in marriage, it is important to offer other measures. One also needs to inform them about the risks and side effects. “Teenagers should be offered contraception in this case. The withdrawal method and the use of condoms are not reliable. Moreover, women who are sexually active outside steady relationships run the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. This can lead to chronic illness and even infertility. Unwanted pregnancies are more common too with unprotected sex.”

The Father’s Role During Pregnancy

Dr Astrid highlights the fact that the father’s role during the pregnancy is very important especially to support the mother. “The involvement of the husband/partner is very important. He may not always be available to attend all the prenatal visits but it is imperative that he supports the mother. The couple is also encouraged to attend preparation antenatal classes together. Certainly, the father is encouraged to be present during childbirth.  

Advocating For The Preborn Child

Some argue that although abortion is illegal in Malta some mothers will still go abroad or underground to do it. So why not make it accessible, safe and legal in Malta in the first place?

Dr Astrid replies that: “Most (if not all) gynaecologists in Malta have reservations and do not want to participate in abortions. When the mother needs to go abroad for an abortion, there is a delay, and that gives her time to rethink. Going abroad may also be a deterrent. The embryo is a living human with rights which are to be respected.”

“There is no such thing as a “subhuman human: a human being/organism with subhuman moral status. Human status is not something one “earns by reaching some arbitrary level of functional ability. ” This is also why many centres around the world are moving away from embryo freezing and going for oocyte freezing. Vitrification is a method that gives the same results without the ethical implications of having spare embryos. It also avoids the risk of embryos being treated as property if the couple separates.

Pope Francis On Women’s Needs And Rights

As a society, we rarely challenge the causes of so much pain in the life and in the heart of women. Men also need to face their responsibilities. In his recent letter Christ Is Alive, Pope Francis states that the Church needs to be “attentive to the legitimate claims of those women who seek greater justice and equality,” The letter acknowledges “a fair share of male authoritarianism, domination, various forms of enslavement, abuse and sexist violence.” Pope Francis speaks of a Church who “can support the call to respect women’s rights, and offer convincing support for greater reciprocity between males and females, while not agreeing with everything some feminist groups propose.”

Pope Francis also renews the Church’s commitment “against all discrimination and violence on sexual grounds” (Par 41). In his 2016 visit to Poland Pope Francis said that “it is the responsibility of the State, the Church and society to accompany and concretely help all those who find themselves in serious difficulty, so that a child will never be seen as a burden but as a gift, and those who are most vulnerable and poor will not be abandoned.”

Read more:
– Feeling Insecure – Love As The Greatest Security
– “I Lived And Worked In Malta” – The Story Of A Generous Landlord And A TCN

The post The Unavailability of Abortion in Malta & Difficult Pregnancies – A Gynae’s Perspective appeared first on Universe of Faith.