National NFP Awareness Week is designed by the USCCB as an opportunity to spread the word about Catholic teaching on marriage, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood.
Sharing basic information about the methods of NFP and why they support God's design for love and life is at the heart of this national campaign.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) 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. NFP is not “Rhythm.” The Rhythm (or Calendar) method was developed in the 1930s. It was based on the scientific theory that ovulation could be predicted by calculating previous menstrual cycles. This method was often inaccurate because it did not take account of the unique nature of a woman's menstrual cycle. Today’s methods of NFP do take account of such variations. Based on observable signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle, NFP methods track the changes associated with ovulation and not only treat each woman as unique, but each cycle as well. The accuracy of women’s observations has
been validated by scientific research.*
NFP is a holistic approach to family planning. Both husband and wife understand their fertility, emotions, and family planning intention (whether to have a baby or not). Its successful use to avoid pregnancy relies upon a couple’s following what they know about the method and one another. Successful use of NFP requires a couple to communicate. In the daily charting of their fertility signs, couples quickly appreciate their shared responsibility for family planning. Husbands are encouraged to “tune into” their wives’ cycles, and both spouses are encouraged to speak openly to each other about their sexual desires and their ideas on family size.
Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain when the woman is fertile and can conceive. The total days of abstinence will vary from woman to woman and even from cycle to cycle. Whatever the length of the fertile phase, no barriers or chemicals are used at any time to avoid pregnancy. To achieve pregnancy couples have intercourse during the fertile time of the cycle. NFP is not a contraceptive. It does nothing to suppress or block conception. Instead, couples adjust their behavior according to their family planning intention using the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of a woman's cycle
NFP promotes openness to the transmission of human life and recognizes the value of children. Sexual relations are understood as love-giving as well as life-giving. It is true family planning. Because NFP respects the twofold nature of sexual intercourse, it can enrich the bond between husband and wife. Indeed, it can be said that NFP promotes the understanding of “self donation” between spouses. For these reasons it is an acceptable form of family planning for people of various religious and philosophical beliefs.
The Office of Marriage and Family Life of the Archdiocese of New Orleans is pleased to provide excellent resources for a number of methods of Natural Family Planning. If you would like to learn one of these methods or have any questions regarding Natural Family Planning (NFP) please see below, or call the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 504-861-6243.
These methods teach users to daily observe and chart changes in the color and consistency of cervical mucus, in order to better understand one's fertility. A woman learns how to identify the normal, healthy, cervical mucus which indicates the days that sexual intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.
Relies upon the standardized observation and charting of biological markers that are the keys to information regarding a woman’s health and fertility. These “biomarkers” tell the couple when they are naturally fertile and infertile, allowing the couple to use the system either to achieve or to avoid pregnancy. These biomarkers also reveal any health abnormalities that may be present. Classes are one-on-one with a practitioner and consist of an introductory presentation followed by monthly follow-up meetings until autonomy is achieved. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, see Woman's New Life Clinic.
A method that is both simple and affordable, yet still very effective—it uses observation of physical symptoms to chart progress through the woman’s fertility cycle. This method is said to be ideal for a woman discontinuing the use of artificial contraception. Classes are one-on-one with an instructor and consist of an introduction and monthly follow-up meetings until autonomy is achieved. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, see Woman's New Life Clinic.
Offers a three-part video series that introduces the science and beauty of the Billings Ovulation Method of NFP. Three months of charting included. Follow-up coaching is available for an additional cost. To learn more and register go to learnnfponline.com
Methods that observe several signs of fertility and cross-check two or more of the signs to pinpoint ovulation are commonly called the “Sympto-Thermal Method” or “STM.” STM typically combines charting of the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus with other optional indicators, such as changes in the cervix and secondary fertility signs.
Uses a combination of basal body temperature and observations of physical changes to chart progress through the woman's fertility cycle. This information can be used effectively to either achieve or postpone a pregnancy. Classes are conducted in a group setting and consist of four, three-hour evenings spread over the course of two months. Available on both the Southshore and the Northshore. For questions call the Office of Marriage and Family Life: 504-861-6243 or email mfl@arch-no.org. Register Here
There are two instructor couples in the area for this sympto-thermal method, and they are both on the Southshore. Classes are three, pre-scheduled evening sessions done specifically couple-to-couple (imagine that!). Live and self-paced online courses are also available. Registration is online at ccli.org
Offers online courses with an experienced personal instructor. The courses consist of 3 comprehensive sessions that takes between 4-12 weeks to complete depending on your pace. It inculdes chart reviews and study materials. This course is encourged to be taken as a couple. To register go to symptopro.org
The method that observes several signs of fertility and adds the use of ovulation predictor kit (OPK) or fertility monitor is called the “Sympto-Hormonal Method” or “SHM.” Similar to Sympto-Thermal, this approach adds the self-detection of reproductive hormones in the urine with the assistance of an OPK or fertility monitor. To learn more about this method see the Marquette Model
__________________________________
*See Richard Fehring, DNSc, RN & Robert Kambic, MSH, Natural Family Planning Bibliography. (Washington, DC: Diocesan Development Program for NFP, 1995).