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Catholic Medical Center Expands NaProTechnology Services Amidst South Korea’s Fertility Crisis
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The Catholic Central Medical Center is significantly expanding access to NaProTechnology, a fertility treatment rooted in natural reproductive health, opening centers in five affiliated hospitals as south korea grapples with the world’s lowest total fertility rate.
The expansion, announced following a Homecoming Day event held on Thursday, October 25th, at Yeouido st. Mary’s Hospital, marks a major step in establishing the catholic Central Medical Center as a leading hub for NaProTechnology within the country. The event celebrated families who have successfully conceived through the method as its introduction to Korea in 2016.
A Growing Need for Fertility Solutions
south Korea’s demographic challenges are acute, with a total fertility rate currently at a record low of 0.7. This has spurred a search for effective and ethically aligned fertility treatments. NaProTechnology,a method that stands for Natural,Procreative,and Technology,offers a distinct approach. Unlike in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination, it focuses on precisely observing and analyzing a woman’s ovulation cycle and hormonal changes to support natural conception.
“Napro-pregnancy is the most desirable infertility treatment that does not go against the teachings and ethics of the Church,” stated a senior official from the Archdiocese of Seoul during the Homecoming Day ceremony. He further expressed hope for the families’ continued happiness, acknowledging the “wonderful times of crying, laughing, and praying earnestly” they experienced on their journey to parenthood.
Holistic Care and International Collaboration
The Catholic Central Medical Center’s approach to NaProTechnology is characterized by a multidisciplinary system. This involves collaboration between not only obstetricians and gynecologists but also urologists, specialized nursing staff, and psychological counselors, aiming for a holistic approach to address the complex needs of couples facing infertility.
To ensure the highest standards of care, the Catholic Medical Center has invested in international training. Medical staff were dispatched to the St.Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska – a specialized institution for NaProTechnology – to receive qualifications as medical consultants, practitioners, and instructors. Further training was conducted in early October to prepare for the expanded opening of the centers.
Expanding Access Across Seoul
The NaPro Pregnancy Center will be sequentially introduced to Seoul St. Mary’s hospital and four other affiliated hospitals – Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, Bucheon st. Mary’s Hospital, and Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital – with all five centers fully operational by November 3rd. At the Homecoming Day event, 45 of the 280 families who achieved pregnancy through the Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital center were honored, alongside Cardinal Yeom Soo-jeong, clergy, hospital staff, and medical professionals.
The event itself featured an introduction to the NaProTechnology method, a blessing ceremony for expectant couples, and heartfelt sharing of childbirth experiences. Families gathered to celebrate the “preciousness and joy of life,” emphasizing the importance of being “respected for their bodies and minds” throughout the process.
A Commitment to Life and Family
Cardinal Yeom Soo-jeong, reflecting on the opening of the first NaPro Pregnancy Center in 2017, expressed gratitude to those who embraced the gift of life. He urged parents to “raise your children with love so that they can live in intimacy with God and grow up believing in God the Father as ‘my father.'”
According to a statement from the Catholic Central Medical Center, the expansion of NaProTechnology services represents a broader mission to respect life and promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth within society. The center’s holistic approach, combined with its commitment to ethical and natural methods, positions it as a vital resource for couples seeking to build families in South Korea.
