Natural Family Planning

A Healthy Option for a Lifetime of Love

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and/or postpone pregnancies. NFP uses the naturally infertile periods in marriage as the basis for couple-centered family planning that never separates the unitive and the procreative aspects of marital intimacy.

NFP education helps couples to fully understand their combined fertility, in a completely eco-friendly, organic and non-pharmacological manner. Through reciprocal respect for the male and female’s fertility, shared responsibility and mutual self control on the part of both spouses, NFP promotes the understanding of intercourse as both a physical and spiritual act, emphasizing complete openness and dialogue in a couple’s family planning.

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.  Ask any couples who practice NFP and they will all agree – by respecting the intertwined love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP enriches and strengthens the unique bond between a husband and wife.

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.

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. For a comprehensive and list of over 90 published and peer-reviewed studies from multiple unbiased sources from 2000 through 2012 which can speak to the scientific nature and effectiveness of NFP methods, please check out www.archlou.org/nfp-studies.

There are several different “methods” for practicing NFP, but all of them involve training and accompaniment by either certified and experienced couples or medical practitioners, as follows:

SYMPTO-THERMAL METHODS

  • Couple to Couple League

The Couple to Couple League exists to inspire, educate and support couples in family planning that is natural, effective, healthy and consistent with God’s plan for life, love and marriage.

The Archdiocese of Louisville proudly supports Couple to Couple League in our local area. The classes are taught locally with certified instructor couples.

The 2019 Louisville Area classes are offered quarterly (three monthly sessions) at St. Martin of Tours Church located at 639 S. Shelby Street, Louisville, KY from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM on dates found HERE.

The fee for the course is $135 plus shipping and handling, and this includes all necessary books and supplies.  The fee is waivable in cases of financial hardship.

  • Northwest Family Services

On-line classes. For more information or to register, visit www.catholicmarriageprep.com/course-info/nfp-training.

OVULATION METHODS

  • Creighton Model

Katie Parris, FCP
St. Catherine FertilityCare
Creighton Model
321-615-4674
keparris@gmail.com
Website: stcatherinefertilitycare.com

  • Billings

For information about this on-line, on-demand method, visit:  www.learnNFPonline.com.

  • Marquette Method

Angela Hobbs, RN, BSN
Marquette Method
270.735.3883
giftofyourfertility@gmail.com

  • NaPro Technology

Natural Procreative Technology, or NaPro Technology, can help monitor and maintain a woman’s reproductive and gynecological health. NaPro Technology provides women with truly moral treatment options to a variety of issues, including infertility, PCOS, repetitive miscarriage, menstrual cramps, irregular or abnormal bleeding, hormonal abnormalities, and other reproductive health problems.

More information can be found at naprotechnology.com or check out fertilitycare.org to find the closest physician.

Resources

Humanae Vitae – Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on the regulation of birth

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Natural Family Planning Short Videos
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