Couples For Christ - Foundation For Family and Life
Natural Family Planning (NFP) refers to the practice of avoiding or achieving pregnancy according to an informed awareness of a woman's fertility.
What’s involved in “fertility awareness”?
During each monthly cycle, a woman normally becomes fertile and then infertile. Her body provides certain signs to indicate her fertile and infertile times. Natural Family Planning's Sympto-Thermal Method teaches you how to observe and interpret these signs . . . enabling you to achieve or avoid pregnancy naturally . . . by becoming aware of your body's fertility cycle.
What are the fertility signs?
The two most commonly used signs of fertility that NFP's SYMPTO-THERMAL METHOD teaches you to observe are a woman's normal cervical mucus secretions and her waking temperature. A third and optional sign is the physical change that occurs in her cervix.
Does it take much time each day for fertility awareness?
Not at all. It takes just about a minute each morning for a woman to take her waking temperature with a digital thermometer. Then during the day she takes a moment while using the restroom to observe any signs of her cervical mucus. Once the information is recorded, she has a complete and cross-checking picture of her fertility . . . it’s very simple and non-intrusive.
How effective is Natural Family Planning?
A number of studies have shown that the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP can be used at the 99% level of effectiveness for avoiding or spacing pregnancies.
What is the difference between the Rhythm Method and modern NFP?
Calendar Rhythm basically assumed that women would have 28-day cycles with ovulation around Day 14. It was ineffective if cycles were either shorter or longer. Modern NFP acknowledges that a woman can routinely have cycles that are shorter or longer than the “average” of 28 days, and that her cycle can even vary from month to month. NFP users make their interpretation choices based on the fertility symptoms they are currently experiencing this month, which is why it is still highly effective for women with irregular cycles, unlike Rhythm.
What effects will my medication have on my use of NFP?
NFP can be used effectively by women even when they are on prescription medications. It is important to realize that some drugs may affect fertility symptoms adversely and be aware of potential disturbances that they may cause in the menstrual cycle. There is an entire chapter that discusses the effects of many common medications on fertility symptoms in the CCL manual, The Art of Natural Family Planning.
From Couple to Couple League
Interested in NFP? Please let us know.
Classes are once a month for 3 months and lasts about 3 hours each. $135 fee is due on the first day. Fee covers registration, membership to Couple to Couple League and materials. Everyone is welcome to attend the first session with no obligation. Please e-mail us at cfcdallasinfo@sbcglobal.net.
WHY USE N.F.P.?
1. NFP accepts our fertility.
2. NFP has a strong scientific basis.
3. NFP is a powerful tool for achieving or postponing pregnancy.
4. NFP is safe, healthy and inexpensive.
5. NFP is as effective or more effective than contraceptives.
6. NFP contributes to the health and welfare of our marriage.
7. NFP is consistent with the life of faith.
from Called to Give Life
The Advantages of
Natural Family Planning
Medically safe
Because NFP is 100% natural, there are no health risks from harmful drugs or devices. The Pill also acts as an early abortion agent in some cases because its effect on the lining of the uterus prevents implantation.
Increased health awareness
Because NFP teaches you to become aware of your normal fertility pattern, changes in this pattern can alert you to medical problems.
Effective
As mentioned earlier, the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP is highly effective both for avoiding and achieving pregnancy.
Low cost
NFP costs significantly less than other forms of birth control. Once you learn it, there are no continuing costs.
More satisfying marriages
Most couples report that NFP has a positive effect on their marriages. They find that periodic abstinence helps keep their sexual relationship fresh, improves their communication, and gives them a deeper respect for each other. Is There a Lower Divorce Rate among NFP Users?
Morally acceptable
All the major religions including the Catholic Church accept the use of Natural Family Planning for spacing pregnancies in the context of marriage and a "just" reason for family planning. Also, NFP users do not have to worry about the potentially abortifacient effects of many types of hormonal birth control (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2368. Also, What Does the Bible Say about Birth Control? )
Immediately reversible
You just change your timing. There's no damage to your fertility from drugs and medical procedures.
From Couple to Couple League
