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Overview
Natural Family Planning
is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid
pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring
signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual
cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital
contact during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle. No drugs, devices, or
surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. NFP reflects the dignity of the
human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness
to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving
natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.
Is NFP rhythm?
NFP is not "rhythm". The
Rhythm (or Calendar) method was in use more than 50
years ago. It was based on the theory that the time of
ovulation could be determined by calculating from
previous menstrual cycles. This method often proved
inaccurate because of the unique nature of each woman's
ovulation cycle: some women have very irregular cycles
and almost all women have a cycle of unusual length once
in a while. On the other hand, NFP methods are
progressive. That is, they are based on progressive,
day-to-day observations of the naturally occurring signs
and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the
menstrual cycle. NFP methods take advantage of the
changes associated with ovulation, treating each cycle
as unique. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain
from intercourse during the fertile phase of the woman's
cycle. Couples who wish to achieve a pregnancy can also
take advantage of the fertile time of the cycle. Because
it allows couples to adjust their behavior to the
naturally occurring cycle of a woman's body, NFP is not
a contraceptive--i.e., it does nothing to work against
conception.
Who can use
NFP?
Any married couple can use NFP!
A woman need not have 'regular' cycles. NFP education
helps couples to fully understand their combined
fertility, thereby helping them to either achieve or
avoid a pregnancy. The key to the successful use of NFP
is cooperation and communication between husband and
wife--a shared commitment. NFP is unique among the
methods of family planning because it enables it's users
to work with the body rather than against it. Fertility
is viewed as a reality to live, not a problem to be
solved.
What are the
signs of fertility?
A woman's body provided 3
basic ways to identify the fertile and infertile times
of her cycle. Recognizing the pattern of those physical
signs forms the basis for all methods of NFP. A primary
sign is the mucus released from the woman's cervix. A
woman learns to identify the normal, healthy, cervical
mucus which indicated the days that intercourse is most
likely to result in a pregnancy. The second sign is her
basal body temperature. Due to hormonal activity, a
woman's resting temperature changes during the menstrual
cycle. Lower temperatures indicate that ovulation has
not yet occurred. Higher temperatures indicate a rise in
progesterone which signals the end of the fertile time.
The third sign is a change in the shape or texture of
the cervix. Finally, secondary signs, such as minor
abdominal pain or pressure at the time of ovulation can
also be observed.
How does NFP
work?
NFP instruction helps a couple
identify the most opportune time to achieve as well as
avoid a pregnancy. Understanding that intercourse or
genital contact during the fertile time can result in
pregnancy, couples using the natural methods must be
clear regarding their family planning intention--this
is, do they wish to achieve or avoid a pregnancy? If a
couple wishes to achieve pregnancy, they have
intercourse during the fertile time. If a couple wishes
to avoid pregnancy, they abstain from intercourse and
any genital contact during the fertile time. No
artificial methods are used during the fertile time.
These would interfere with a woman's observation of her
fertility signs.
What
are the benefits of using NFP?
In NFP both spouses are taught
to understand the nature of fertility and work with it,
either to plan a pregnancy or to avoid a pregnancy.
Couples who use NFP soon learn that they have a shared
responsibility for family planning. Husbands are
encouraged to 'tune into' their wives cycles and both
spouses are encouraged to speak openly and frankly about
their sexual desires and their ideas on family size.
Other
benefits include:
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Low Cost
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No Side Effects
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Effectiveness for achieving,
spacing, or limiting pregnancy
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Can be used throughout the
reproductive cycle
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Marriage enrichment and
mutual understanding
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Appreciation for the value
of a child
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Fosters respect for and
acceptance of the total person
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Morally acceptable
How
effective are methods of NFP for avoiding pregnancy?
When couples are taught by
competent teachers, understand the methods, and are
motivated to follow them, NFP is up to 99% successful in
spacing or limiting births. The effectiveness of NFP
depends upon the spouses' following the rules of the
method according to their family planning intention
(i.e., achieving or limiting births). Those who are
strongly motivated to avoid pregnancy and follow the
method strictly are very effective in meeting their
goal.
Where can I
learn to use NFP?
The best way to learn NFP is
from a qualified instructor--that is one who is
certified from an NFP teacher education program.
Although medical professionals are gradually learning
more about NFP and becoming more supportive of patients
who wish to use it, they are not often trained to teach
NFP.
How do I go about choosing a
method?
The Diocese of St. Augustine
offers five different methods of NFP. We suggest you
visit each page and learn the basics of each method.
After this is done, if you have more specific questions
about any of the methods, you can contact the
instructor(s) listed under that method or you may
contact Mike Day at the Diocesan Center at (904)
308-7474. Once you have chosen a method, then it is as
simple as contacting any of the instructors listed under
that method to sign up for your classes.
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