A Healthy Option for a Lifetime of Love
Natural Family Planning, in keeping with the Church’s teaching, views fertility as a sacred reality to live rather than a problem to be solved. It is not the rhythm method of old, but rather scientifically proven methods that take advantage of the body’s natural rhythms of fertility and infertility. The couple places no barriers between themselves and no potentially harmful chemicals in the woman’s body. Natural Family Planning methods respect the integrity of men and women and are supportive to the marriage covenant. The couple partners with God, as co-creators of new life.
NFP is not only an accepted method used for spacing children; it is also highly effective for helping couples achieve pregnancy. Infertility is more common than one might think and it can cause married couples great pain and grief. NFP may help.
NFP does not involve the use of any medications, drugs or devices, is completely safe and has no harmful side effects. The self-knowledge that couples gain by using it is valuable in helping them to maintain good reproductive health.
Although there are several methods, the archdiocese offers classes in the Sympto-Thermal Method. This method combines observations of waking temperature and cervical fluid with other indicators, such as secondary fertility signs and cervical position. It is highly effective and free from medical hazards and side effects, helpful in building a better marriage relationship, and other than the training fee, is virtually cost-free. When couples receive proper instruction, understand the method and are motivated to follow it, NFP is up to 99% successful in avoiding or achieving pregnancy.
It is recommended that engaged couples take NFP at least three to four months prior to their wedding date.
NFP Methods and Schedules
Sympto-Thermal Methods
A multi-indexed method of Natural Family Planning that charts the primary signs of fertility (cervical mucus & Basal Body Temperature) as well as the secondary signs of fertility (cervical changes, breast tenderness, etc.).
Couple to Couple League
For information and registration for urban and rural classes, visit http://ccli.org/learn/chapter/kentucky-central.php.
Northwest Family Services – Online NFP Class
This course is a one-on-one NFP course with Northwest certified instructor Mary-Rose Verret. Class takes 2-3 months to complete. For information, or to register, visit http://www.catholicmarriageprep.com/ and click on NFP.
Ovulation Method
Creighton
For information, contact The FertilityCareTM Center of Omaha, (402) 392-0842, or call Christan Schockley, (812) 228-6675.
Resources
Humanae Vitae – Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on the regulation of birth
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
- For Your Marriage – the church’s teaching on contraception
- Married Love and the Gift of Life – issued by the U.S. Catholic Bishops in November, 2006
- Natural Family Planning: Myths and Realities
- An Introduction to Natural Family Planning