Learn Boston Cross Check with Pearl & Thistle!

Looking for a Boston Cross Check instructor? We'd love for you to learn BCC with us!

Learn Boston Cross Check with Pearl & Thistle!

Looking for a Boston Cross Check instructor? We'd love for you to learn BCC with us!

Boston Cross Check logo

This method teaches couples ways to use the fertility markers listed below separately, or in various combinations, to suit their desired efficacy and planning needs. We use:

  • Basal Body Temperature (oral or with wearable Tempdrop device)
  • Hormone monitoring using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor
  • Cervical fluid (with optional cervical checks)
  • Personal chart history
  • Basic cycle formulas

We also offer additional protocols with LH Tests and Proov Progesterone strips for clients who wish to incorporate those elements.

With the BCC method, you work closely with your instructor to learn all of these fertility signs and figure out which combination works best for your body, lifestyle, and fertility goals. That's one of my favorite things about it, how customized it is to each couple's unique situation and how it can easily flex with you as life changes.

Boston Cross Check™ Courses

Boston Cross Check™ uses a standardized fee system in order to be transparent and ensure that all clients receive the same pricing, regardless of which instructor they choose. Most program fees can be split into payments. If you have concerns about being able to afford program fees or ongoing support, please communicate those and I will try to assist you!
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METHOD INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM (MIP)

$200

This is the basic BCC course for anyone in "regular cycles" (not postpartum or peri-menopause). There are four sessions, which cover a full year of instruction and unlimited chart checks and consultations.

  • Session #1: Client intake, overview of NFP methods, charting signs with BCC [90 minutes]
  • Session #2: (scheduled about 1 month later) Calculating start- and end-of-fertility with BCC with lots of practice charts! [90-120 minutes]
  • Session #3 (scheduled between 4-5 months later) Common charting issues, full client charting review [60 minutes]
  • Session #4 (scheduled at the 1-year mark) Looking ahead, full client charting review [60 minutes]
A family sitting on a bed. From left, young girl with curly hair wearing a white dress and sitting on the man's lap. A man wearing a white shirt looking at the camera with his arm around the woman. The woman holding her hair back while wearing a white dress and holding a newborn. A newborn sleeping in the woman's arms. The "Postpartum Instruction" appear in white on a green background at the bottom left

POSTPARTUM PROGRAM

$300 base fee

Not sure what to expect with charting during breastfeeding? Before booking, check out this free guide:

FREE GUIDE

This course covers special protocols for breastfeeding women. This course can be taken regardless of whether you had been charting with BCC before pregnancy (yes! it is possible to learn a new method postpartum!). Everyone's timeline is unique, but generally this program includes: 

  • Session #1: (scheduled 6 weeks postpartum) Introduction [90 minutes]
  • Session #2: (scheduled upon return of cycles) Return of Fertility [45-60 minutes]
  • Session #3: (scheduled six cycles later) Wrap-Up [30 minutes]

Plus unlimited charting assistance via email or Zoom check-ins as needed, from time of instruction through 6 cycles postpartum. Clients who have not already completed the MIP will add $50 to this course fee. 

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PERIMENOPAUSE PROGRAM

$200 base fee

BCC offers specialized protocols for women entering the menopause transition. Women should inquire about when they meet the cycle criteria for this phase! Instructors can provide a very quick assessment of cycles for signs of perimenopause via email. Everyone's timeline with this transition is unique, and the number of instructional sessions will vary based on which stage of perimenopause you are in, but all support comes with: 

  • Instructional Session - Introduction to Perimenopause, plus protocols appropriate to your staging
  • One year of unlimited charting assistance via email

Your instructor will work with you to assess staging and set up an appropriate plan for instruction and follow-up according to your situation and goals. 

Please note that clients who have never taken a BCC course before may need to take certain sessions of the MIP in conjunction with Perimenopause. Please speak with your instructor to inquire about particular fees.

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ONGOING SUPPORT:

Are you worried about losing support after the course is over? Clients who have completed the Method Instructional Program are welcome to contact Christina for 1-time consultations/check-ins ($25) or to pay a flat annual retainer ($75) for unlimited consultations. 

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

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CHRISTINA VALENZUELA

Owner

Christina is the owner of Pearl & Thistle and has been a certified instructor in the Boston Cross Check method of NFP since 2013. She has been using this method since her second baby was born, and loves the flexibility of the protocols and the opportunity to tailor protocol options to clients!

Please note: Christina tends to book clients approximately 4-5 months in advance. She has reserved time to complete practicum clients for the trainees listed below and will accommodate those schedules as needed. 

BOOK CHRISTINA

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ANDREA CARROLL

P&T Team Member

Andrea is a wife and mom of four, including her two Heaven babies. She has always been intrigued by math and the sciences, and ultimately received her degrees in aerospace engineering (yes, rocket science!)

Now, she's stepped away from her first career to raise and educate her children. She is passionate about women’s fertility and loves to talk all things fertility if you let her! She is so excited and feels blessed to be able to take a break from her engineering career and focus on teaching NFP to members of the Church and beyond.

BOOK ANDREA

FAQs

Are you a medical professional?
No. Boston Cross Check does not require instructors to be medical professionals, although there are some NFP methods which do. A BCC instructor is trained to identify potential health concerns based on cycle presentation, and to offer any suggestions about how we might address them without medication. If an issue seems to be beyond our scope, or we need additional information that can only be obtained through medical tests, your instructor will help you know what to ask your doctor and will follow up with you based on results. Some people prefer to have “seamless” fertility care, where they learn a method with a health professional who also is able to diagnose and treat any issues that may come up. If this is important to you, BCC might not be a good fit, but be sure you are familiar with other aspects of the methods before you choose one simply based on having a nurse/doctor.
Is there a book that can teach me BCC without using an instructor?
Boston Cross Check is a method which is designed to be delivered by a qualified instructor, as this is the best way to achieve maximum efficacy with this (or any other!) method. We do not publicly publish our protocols, nor do we supply protocols to those who are not clients.
How do you conduct your classes?
Classes are always done 1:1 (never in a group!) and hosted via Zoom. If you are local to an instructor, you can inquire about in-person options, but almost all instruction is typically done online.
How responsive are you to client messages?
In general, instructors try to respond to client messages via email with 24 hours. Whenever we have an expected delay in communications (e.g., vacation) we will send out an email to notify clients in advance.
Is Boston Cross Check just basically Marquette with temps?
Couples familiar with the Marquette Model may find many similarities between MM and BCC when utilizing the hormone monitor; however, these are two distinct methods and even with the monitor there are slight protocol differences between them. BCC began as a sympto-thermal method and has incorporated the hormone monitor into its unique approach to cervical fluid and temps, making it very easy to use and highly adaptable to your needs. We are happy to discuss the particular differences between methods during consultations.
Do you only accept couples as clients?
Learning NFP as a couple has many benefits, and we strongly encourage any engaged couple looking to learn the method prior to getting married to attend classes together. However, many single women may want to learn an NFP method to monitor their health or gain proficiency prior to becoming engaged. Additionally, couples who are already married (especially those with children!) may find it difficult to attend classes together. We therefore do not require couples to always attend sessions together and respect that all couples may have different comfort levels, needs and preferences.
Do I need to be Catholic to learn Boston Cross Check?
​NFP is a wonderful way to learn about fertility, regardless of your religion. If you are not Catholic, you are very welcome to take a course! Please be advised, however, that BCC does not allow for barrier methods during the fertile window and instructors will never advise a client on how to deviate from protocol by using methods which are against Catholic teaching.

As a Friend of Read Your Body, Christina's clients all receive 3 months of free access to the Read Your Body app included with new client course packages! The option for charting BCC with RYB will be provided in all sessions.