Natural Family PlanningNatural Family Planning
Not Your Grandma’s Rhythm Method…Not Your Grandma’s Rhythm Method…
Our StoryOur Story
Once upon a time…
What Is Natural Family Planning?What Is Natural Family Planning?
Fertility awareness Observe
Record
Interpret
Responsible parenthood “The virtuous application of NFP.”
Why Use NFP?Why Use NFP?
To achieve pregnancy
To avoid pregnancy
For spiritual reasons
To monitor reproductive health
The Fertility CycleThe Fertility Cycle
Phase I Pre-ovulation infertility
Phase II The fertile time
Phase III Post-ovulation infertility
Image from http://woomb.org/bom/circdiag/index.html
The Signs of FertilityThe Signs of Fertility
Primary signs
Cervical fluid
Basal body temperature
Cervical position
Bleeding or spotting
Secondary signs
Ovulation pain
Breast tenderness
Mood changes
Complexion changes
Cervical FluidCervical Fluid
Present around the time of ovulation
Positive sign of being fertile
Purpose:
Swimming medium for sperm
Prolongs sperm life
Provides nutrients for the sperm
Basal Body TemperatureBasal Body Temperature
Shows that ovulation has already occurred
Used to measure luteal phase
Diagnostic tool
Low progesterone
Thyroid conditions
Mutual FertilityMutual Fertility
Female fertility Mostly infertile
Egg life 12 to 24 hours
48 hours max for two
eggs
Male fertility Fertile from puberty on
Sperm life A few hours to five days
Depends on presence and
quality of mucus
Egg life + sperm life = the fertile window.Egg life + sperm life = the fertile window.
Cycle IrregularityCycle Irregularity
Normal experience Degrees of irregularity
1-7 days—regular 8-20 days—moderately
irregular 21+ days—very irregular
Types of irregularity Early or late ovulation PCOS, endometriosis,
thyroid disorders, PMS
What Methods Are Available?What Methods Are Available?
Ovulation method
Billings Method
Creighton Model
Sympto-thermal method
Couple to Couple League
How effective is it really?How effective is it really?
Source: Epigee Women’s Health http://www.epigee.org/
Method Effectiveness Rates
86
88
90
92
94
96
98
100
NFP IUD Pill Condom Diaphragm Rhythm
Perc
en
t E
ffecti
ve
Benefits of NFPBenefits of NFP
Health supporting No drugs or devices Diagnose potential fertility problems
Relationship building Enhances communication Treats spouses with dignity
Faithful to Church teaching
Marital SexualityMarital Sexuality
Twofold meaning of the sexual union.
Unitive—to strengthen the bonds of love between husband
and wife
Procreative—the transmission of new life
Intercourse is a gift of your total self to your spouse.
Historically Speaking…Historically Speaking…
Continuous Christian teaching prior to 1930 Lambeth Conference, Anglican Church breaks away
Castii Connubii—Pius XI, 1930 Address to Midwives—Pius XII, 1951 Gaudium et Spes—Paul VI, 1965 Humanae Vitae—Paul VI, 1968 Familiaris Consortio—John Paul II, 1981 Vademecum for Confessors—Pontifical
Council for the Family, 1997
Humanae VitaeHumanae Vitae
“With regard to physical, economic, psychological and
social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised by
those who prudently and generously decide to have more
children, and by those who, for serious reasons and with
due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have
additional children for either a certain or an indefinite
period of time.” – HV Par. 10
Responsible ParenthoodResponsible Parenthood
“…the virtuous application of
fertility awareness.” –CCL Balance of generosity and
prudence
Prayerful consideration to have
another child, or to avoid
pregnancy
Contraception, Why Not?Contraception, Why Not?
Harmful to the body
Many side effects
Abortifacient potential
Does not treat spouses with dignity
Must alter the body to be acceptable
Burden on one partner
Blocks God’s grace in the marriage
ConclusionConclusion
NFP Is health supporting
Can be used to achieve or avoid
pregnancy
Works with the body as it was
designed
Can be a marriage building
experience
The only method approved by
the Church
None of these benefits
are gained through
contraception!
And they lived happily ever after…And they lived happily ever after…
Breakout SessionBreakout Session
Please separate and take a few
moments to answer the discussion
questions on your own. When you are
done, return to your partner and share
your thoughts with each other.
Question & Answer SessionQuestion & Answer Session
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
What class should I take?
How much abstinence is involved?
What if we aren’t planning to limit our
family size?
Time for a break!Time for a break!Coming up next:
Finances
The Honeymoon
The Wedding—Ceremony Details
With Steve & Lisa Sepka