Catholic Doctor in Indiana Transforms His Career After Confession and Opens a Fertility Clinic That Upholds Church Teachings

Dr. Christopher Stroud didn’t always run a fertility clinic rooted in Catholic values.

In fact, not so long ago, he was prescribing birth control and referring couples for in vitro fertilization (IVF)—standard procedures in many OB-GYN practices.

But everything changed after a single, unforgettable moment: a confession.

During the sacrament of reconciliation, a priest challenged Stroud on his medical practices.

That one conversation struck a deep chord.

“It changed my life,” he reflected.

“Probably for all eternity.”

Building a Clinic That Celebrates Life

That life-altering experience in 2012 set Stroud on a new path.

He left behind conventional fertility treatments and opened a clinic grounded in Natural Procreative Technology—commonly known as NaProTechnology.

His mission?

To help couples conceive in a way that aligns with Catholic teaching.

Since then, his clinic in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has flourished.

The demand has grown so much that there’s now a six-month wait to get an appointment.

Families who have benefited from the clinic often send baby photos to Stroud, turning one of his office walls into a touching mosaic of hope and joy.

What Makes NaProTechnology So Different?

Unlike IVF, which often bypasses the root cause of infertility, NaProTechnology zeroes in on the actual health issues preventing conception.

“Infertility is not a diagnosis,” Stroud explained.

“It’s a symptom.” And just like in any other area of medicine, NaPro works by identifying and treating the underlying problem—whether that’s a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, or another condition.

Stroud learned these techniques at the St. Paul VI Institute in Nebraska, a pioneering center that has trained doctors in NaProTechnology since 1985.

He believes the demand for this approach is practically limitless.

Helping Fertility “Come Back to Life”

Dr. Teresa Hilgers, another OB-GYN at the St. Paul VI Institute, has seen NaProTechnology help many couples regain their ability to conceive naturally.

In fact, some no longer need medical assistance for future pregnancies after receiving NaPro-based care.

Rather than being rushed into expensive and emotionally draining procedures, patients are guided through a personalized medical process—one that often brings their fertility back to life.

Talking About IVF With Compassion

While Stroud is clear that IVF contradicts Catholic teaching, he also emphasizes sensitivity when discussing it.

He’s quick to affirm the dignity of children born through IVF: “They are created in God’s image, just like anyone else.”

Still, he points out that many couples turn to IVF from a place of deep pain and desperation.

“Infertility can be one of the most painful experiences in a marriage,” he said.

“It can make people question everything about their relationship and identity.”

IVF, he cautions, turns children into something akin to property—something to be acquired—rather than received as a gift.

“If children are a right, then they’re not a gift.

But that’s what they are—a gift.”

Understanding the Catholic View on IVF

The Catholic Church’s opposition to IVF is rooted in both theology and ethics.

Spiritually, IVF separates the procreative and unitive aspects of marital intimacy, which the Church sees as inseparable.

Practically, IVF also comes with significant downsides.

Dr. Hilgers noted that many embryos are destroyed or frozen indefinitely during IVF.

“Couples may finish building their families, but often don’t know what to do with the remaining embryos,” she explained.

There are also medical risks: increased chances of preterm birth, complications, and birth defects.

And despite the emotional and financial toll, success rates are often lower than people expect.

Asking the Right Questions About Fertility

When couples come to Stroud considering IVF, he doesn’t start with judgment.

He starts with curiosity.

“I ask them, ‘Wouldn’t you want to know why you’re not getting pregnant—even if it means you may never be?’”

In his experience, no one says no.

Most couples haven’t received a proper diagnosis; they’ve just been handed a vague label: “unexplained infertility.”

But that often just means no one took the time to dig deeper.

A Message of Hope for Couples Struggling to Conceive

Both Stroud and Hilgers have a message for couples who are feeling hopeless: don’t give up—and don’t think you have to choose between your faith and your desire to become parents.

“You don’t have to settle,” Stroud said.

“You don’t have to compromise your values.”

Hilgers added that when Church teachings are respected, so is the dignity of everyone involved—the woman, the husband, and the child.