When Sarah and her husband welcomed their baby girl into the world, they were filled with joy — but also with questions. Living in Williamsburg, Virginia, and navigating multiple chronic illnesses, Sarah knew she needed guidance to manage her health and family life wisely. “Having children close together would be dangerous for me,” she shared, “so I needed help learning Natural Family Planning after having my first baby.”
Though Sarah was a cradle Catholic and committed to living her faith fully — especially in her vocation as a wife and mother — she quickly realized that NFP wasn’t as simple as it seemed. “I didn’t know how to use NFP or that I needed a specific method to be successful,” she said. With no prior experience using it, and no one in her regular medical care offering guidance, she and her husband began searching online.
Their search led them to MyCatholicDoctor, which they found through their diocesan website. That discovery, Sarah says, made all the difference.
“My faith is very important to me and my family,” she explained. “I was looking for someone who would understand my beliefs as a Catholic and help me navigate NFP and find a method that worked for me.”
Sarah connected with Rosemary Mackenzie, a Marquette Method instructor with MyCatholicDoctor. From the beginning, Rosemary’s care stood out. “She is very kind and understanding,” Sarah shared. “She has been very patient with me as I have had many questions. She has much knowledge to give and is able to explain things in a concise way.”
Through her work with Rosemary, Sarah began learning to chart her cycles using the Marquette Method, which uses hormonal monitoring along with other cross-checks for accuracy. As a woman managing chronic illness, this education gave her both confidence and clarity. “Rosemary listened to my concerns as a chronically ill woman who needed someone to help navigate the world of NFP,” Sarah said. “She explained the spiritual benefits of NFP, connecting it back to our Catholic faith.”
At the time of her initial appointments, Sarah was postpartum, adjusting to life with a newborn. Though she hadn’t discovered new diagnoses, she felt heard and supported in ways that are often hard to come by in mainstream healthcare. That, she said, was one of the most meaningful parts of her experience. “Being understood and listened to while also following the teachings of the Church — that’s what stood out most to me.”
Today, Sarah and her husband are doing their best to care for their daughter while also managing ongoing health challenges. “My baby girl is healthy and thriving,” she said. “My husband and I are dealing with chronic health issues currently, but we are doing our best to seek the proper help and treatment.”
When asked what she wishes others knew about Catholic healthcare, Sarah said this: “There are other people out there like you who are looking to live out the faith and adhere to the Church’s teachings. You can find care and compassion in the providers at MyCatholicDoctor.”
And to anyone unsure where to turn, her advice is simple:
“Definitely give MyCatholicDoctor a chance.”
