As One of Only Three Pediatricians In the US Certified In NAPRO Technology and the Creighton Model, Dr. Elizabeth Abraham Finds Pediatrics and NFP Are a Great Combination for Young Women

“People don’t know what is normal.”

That’s what Dr. Elizabeth Abraham found out first hand, when her years of experience in medical school, hospital work and private practice were challenged by the discovery NFP for her own personal use, Dr. Elizabeth Abraham found more than vital answers about her health. She found a calling for helping young women understand their fertility.

“It was due to my own health that I came upon NFP as a method for diagnosing and treating women’s health in general,” said Abraham. “I felt better and wanted to do this for others, but wondered if it was something I could do for my own patients.”

After reading an article in The St. Louis Review several years ago, Dr. Abraham made an appointment with Dr. Brennan, a St. Louis NFP physician who had transitioned his practice from one that had previously prescribed birth control, to one that was NFP-only. “I thought it was really brave to do that, and that’s when I went to him,” Abraham said.

At the time, Abraham was in a successful practice as a pediatrician after six and a half years doing hospital work in the St. Louis area. After learning about NFP from her own experience as a patient, she had a desire to bring this type of holistic, natural treatment to the young women in her practice.

“So many physicians give birth control pills to very young girls when they are having problems with their cycle,” said Abraham. “It is an opportunity for holistic treatment and education that will stay with them for their whole lives.”

In 2017, Dr. Abraham officially became one of only three pediatricians in the United States offering NaPro technology solutions to their patients when she completed her training under Dr. Thomas Hilgers at the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska and became a certified Creighton Model FertilityCare (CrMS) NFP physician.

Today, Dr. Abraham sees a variety of patients up to the age of 21, for whole-health treatment. She has found through her work with young girls that a large number of families are unaware of the underlying natural causes of common reproductive problems like irregular or heavy cycles, and the lack of information is shared by many in the medical community.

“When I was in medical school, one of the questions on the review of symptoms was if you are having any vaginal discharge,” said Abraham. “It’s a ridiculous question because of course you are! So even physicians don’t know.”

Dr. Abraham insists that for any adolescent patient experiencing a problem with her cycle, education and follow through on charting is critical in determining the underlying cause. And a major factor in the success of natural treatment methods is parental support and involvement. “If mom is not on board, it doesn’t work. They need that support,” said Dr. Abraham. “The parent is such a strong influence. Parents come in and ask for birth control, but no one has never asked to chart. It’s a process of education.”

In her effort to educate her patients at every stage of development, Dr. Abraham often recommends resources like the book “The Care and Keeping of You” in the American Girl series. And while the common sentiment in the world is for women to suffer through PMS symptoms, Dr. Abraham tells her patients, “No, don’t suffer!” Abraham says ideally all girls would learn how to chart their cycles and become familiar with and comfortable with their body’s natural cycle, and she often refers her patients to NFP teachers in the area to learn the basics.

Another priority, according to Dr. Abraham is educating pediatricians and parents. “The way pediatricians are trained is a problem. You are taught that everyone should be on birth control. It’s not OK,” said Abraham. “Pediatricians can be dangerous. When they speak with patients privately for their adolescent checkup without a parent in the room, many of these reproductive issues are brought up. I do talk to my patients privately but I tell the parents if there is anything you don’t want discussed, I will respect your wishes. Not all pediatricians do that. You have the right to tell them there are some things you want your kids to learn from you. It’s so important.”

Families seeking this type of care for their daughters can rejoice that Dr. Abraham is accepting new patients at her private practice, St. Teresa Pediatrics. To schedule an appointment, call her office at (314) 500-KIDS or go online to StTeresaPediatrics.com.

Dr. Abraham completed her medical residency in Ohio in pediatric nephrology. She held a faculty position at St. Louis University hospital and worked with kidney disease as a specialty there and at Cardinal Glennon before transitioning to primary care in 2016. She holds a master’s degree in research methods and has published many articles and papers on a variety of pediatric topics.

Although she lived in India until age six and grew up in New York’s Long Island, she now calls St. Louis home and loves the city for its beautiful architecture, food and people. She serves as a lector at her home parish, the New Cathedral.