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