Richard Fehring, Ph.D., RN

Director, Institute of Natural Family Planning, and Professor Emeritus of Nursing

Highest Degree

Ph.D., Catholic University of America

Courses Taught

• Medical Applications of Natural Family Planning (NFP)
• Natural Family Planning Theory
• Teacher Training in NFP for Health Professionals

Research Interests

I have an interest in investigating the efficacy and ease of use of fertility awareness methods for achieving or avoiding pregnancy. This interest includes evaluating the use of high-tech hormonal monitoring devices and Internet-based fertility awareness support services.

Professional Affiliations

• Midwest Nursing Research Society
• Sigma Theta Tau International
• Catholic Medical Association
• University Faculty for Life

Specialization

• Women's Health
• Fertility
• Research Methods

Selected Publications

Fehring, R., and Schneider, M. (2014). Comparison of Abstinence and Coital Frequency between Two Natural Methods of Family Planning. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. 59: 528-532.

Fehring, R. and Mu, Q. (2014) Cohort Efficacy Study of Natural Family Planning among Perimenopause Age Women. Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and neonatal Nursing. May-Jun;43(3):351-8.

Lieva, R., Fehring, R., et al., (2014). "Use of ‘Ovulation Predictor Kits’ as Adjuncts When Using Fertility Awareness Based Methods: A Pilot Study. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2014 May-Jun;27(3):427-9.

Mu, Q., and Fehring, R. (2014). Efficacy of achieving pregnancy with fertility focused intercourse. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing. 39(1): 35-40.

Fehring, R., Schneider, M., Barron, M.L. and Pruszynski, J. (2013). The influence of motivation on the efficacy of natural family planning. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing. 38(6): 352-358.

Fehring, R. and Rodriguez, D. (2013) Spiritual care of couples using natural family planning. The Linacre Quarterly, August Issue. 80(3):225-238.

R. Ecochard, R. Leiva, T. Bouchard, H. Boehringer, A. Direito, A. Mariani, R. & Fehring R. (2013). Use of urinary Pregnanediol 3-Glucuronide to confirm ovulation. Steroids, 78(10):1035-1040.

Fehring, R., Schneider, M., Raviele, K, Rodriguez, D & Pruszynski. J. (2013) Randomized comparison of two Internet-supported fertility awareness based methods of family planning, Contraception, 88(1): 24-30.

Bouchard, T, Schneider, M & Fehring, R. (2013) Efficacy of a new postpartum transition protocol for avoiding pregnancy. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 26, 35-44

Fehring, R., Schneider, M. (2012). Statistical Evaluation of the Standard Days Method of Family Planning. The Linacre Quarterly, 79 (4).

Lasquety, M.G., Rodriguez, D., & Fehring, R. (2012). The Influence of BMI Levels on Phases of the Menstrual Cycle and Presumed Ovulation, The Linacre Quarterly, 79(4).

Rodriguez, D, & Fehring, R. (2012) Family planning, natural family planning, and abortion use among U.S. Hspanic women, The Linacre Quarterly, 79(2): 192-07.

Fehring, R, Schneider, M, & Raviele, K. (2011). Pilot evaluation of an internet-based natural family planning education and service program, Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatal Nursing. E-Published, April 18, Publication target May/June, 2011.

Haglund, K., Edwards, L., Fehring, R., and Pruzynski,J. (2011) Religiosity and sexual risk behaviors among Latina adolescents: Trends from 1995-2008," Journal of Women's Health, May 2011 issue.

Nassaralla CL, Stanford JB, Daly KD, Schneider M, Schliep KC, Fehring RJ. (2011) Characteristics of the Menstrual Cycle After Discontinuation of Oral Contraceptives. Journal of Women's Health. 20 (2): 169-177.

Haglund, K. A., & Fehring, R.J. (2010). The association of religiosity, sexual education, and parental factors with risky sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Journal of Religion and Health. 49:460–472.

Fehring, R. (2009). The Catholic physician and natural family planning: helping to build the culture of life. The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, 9(2), 305-323.

Fehring, R., Schneider, M., Barron, M.L., & Raviele, K. (2009). Cohort comparison of two fertility awareness methods of family planning. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 54, 165-170.

Fehring, R. (2009). Efficacy and efficiency in natural family planning services. The Linacre Quarterly, 76, 9-24.

Fehring R., & Schneider M. (2008). Variability of the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. Fertility and Sterility, 90(4), 1232-1235.

Fehring R., Schneider, M., & Barron, M.L. (2008). Retrospective efficacy of the Marquette Model of natural family planning. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 33(6), 348-354.

Edwards. L., Fehring R., Jarrett, K.M., & Haglund, K. (2008). The influence of religiosity on the sexual behaviors of Latina/o adolescents, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 30(4), 447-462.

Grants

2014 Title: Institute for Natural Family Planning. Source: RLB Foundation
Principal investigator; Richard J. Fehring Amount: $ 100,000

2013 Title: Institute for Natural Family Planning. Source: RLB Foundation
Principal investigator; Richard J. Fehring Amount: $ 100,000

2012 Title: Institute for Natural Family Planning Source: RLB Foundation
Principal investigator; Richard J. Fehring Amount: $ 100,000

2011 Title: Institute for Natural Family Planning Source: RLB Foundation
Principal investigator; Richard J. Fehring Amount: $ 100,000

2010 Title: Institute for Natural Family Planning.
Source: RLB Foundation
Principal investigator; Richard J. Fehring
Amount: $ 100,000

2009 Title: Institute for Natural Family Planning.
Source: RLB Foundation
Principal investigator; Richard J. Fehring
Amount: $ 100,000

2008 Title: Randomized comparison of two internet-based methods of natural family planning.
Source: Dept. of Health and Human Services; Office of Public Health and Science
Principal investigator: Richard J. Fehring; co-investigator: Mary Schneider
Amount: $ 595,567

2008 Title: Natural Family Planning Institute
Source: RLB Foundation
Principle Investigator: Richard J. Fehring
Amount: $99,000