The Billings method

The Billings Method, authored by Dr. Evelyn Billings in collaboration with Ann Westmore, serves as a seminal text in the field of natural family planning. Published in 1980, the book codified the research of Dr. John Billings and Dr. Evelyn Billings, who developed a fertility awareness system based on the observation of cervical mucus. Emerging from a period of growing interest in non-hormonal, natural methods of birth control, the text was designed to provide women with a reliable, scientifically documented framework for understanding their own reproductive cycles for both achieving and avoiding pregnancy.

The design of the book emphasizes clinical clarity and accessibility, aimed at a lay audience seeking practical health guidance. Dr. Evelyn Billings, an Australian physician, focused on distilling complex hormonal data into actionable observations. The work was widely translated and became the foundational manual for the World Organization of the Ovulation Method Billings (WOOMB). While it sparked significant debate within both medical and theological circles regarding its efficacy and social implications, it remains a defining publication for its specific approach to fertility tracking.