Natural Plan
A method-neutral intro to NFP that’s only $15 per couple
An introductory program to Natural Family Planning, to help you choose which method of NFP is best for you.
10 modules. 3 ways to learn.
Duration: 1 hour 30 min
Totally Yours
The Catholic Natural Family Planning Handbook
A down-to-earth and practical book that uses real-life stories and experiences of over twenty couples to demystify NFP. With a healthy dose of humor, a firm grounding in Catholic moral teaching and evidence from scientific literature, this book focuses on twelve things everyone should know about NFP.
The book has been granted a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. It can be found on www.amazon.com
Cervical Fluid-only methods or ovulation methods are probably the most widely used. They work well for women who prefer to focus on one sign.
Creighton Method
Rita Johnson: +1 (517) 775-7229 – https://naturalfertilitycare.org/
Sympto-thermal methods chart multiple signs: typically mucus, basal body temperature, and position of the cervix. These models work well for women who like the confirmation of more than one sign.
Sympto-thermal Method
Couple to Couple League: (513) 471-2000 – ccli.org
Sympto-hormonal methods detect the production of key fertility hormones with simple at-home urine tests and cross check it with mucus observations.
Boston Cross Check Method
Jessica Grace, RN: (443) 824-8285 (text or call) – [email protected]
Heidi Schaap: (937) 768-0751 – [email protected]
Johnna Wilford: (859) 429-2029 – [email protected]
Marquette Method
Jenna Bernardo, RN: (513) 658-0444 – [email protected]
Website: https://jenna-the-fertility-rn.square.site/
Angela Hobbs, BSN, RN, MMCP: (270) 735-3883 – [email protected]
Website: Gift of Your Fertility – https://giftofyourfertility.com/
God’s Plan
God designed marriage as an “intimate partnership of life and love” (see Gaudium et spes, no. 48). In God’s design, marriage is a unique union of one man with one woman “for the whole of life” (see Canon 1055, The Code of Canon Law). Marriage is oriented to the good of the spouses and to the creation and nurture of new human life (see Gaudium et spes, no. 48). Making decisions therefore, about when and how many children to have in marriage is a sacred responsibility that God has entrusted to husband and wife. This is the foundation of what the Church calls, “Responsible Parenthood”–the call to discern God’s will for your marriage while respecting His design for life and love.
The Catholic Church supports the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP) because they respect God’s design for married love. In fact, NFP represents the only authentic approach to family planning available to husbands and wives because these methods can be used to both attempt or avoid pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies. NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving and life-giving nature of the conjugal act, they support God’s design for married love!
When learning about NFP, it is important to know that:
- Natural Family Planning 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. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
- 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. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife. (Standards for Diocesan Natural Family Planning Ministry, p. 23)
Why Natural Family Planning?
NFP is healthy and organic. No drugs, devices or surgical procedures are used to achieve or postpone pregnancy. NFP is safe for a woman, her unborn or nursing child, and her future fertility. NFP is also harmless to the environment.
NFP’s mutual responsibility for family planning encourages communication and fosters respect, maturity and generosity — qualities conductive to a long and healthy marriage.
NFP respects 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.
NFP is as effective in postponing pregnancy as hormonal contraceptives; unlike contraceptives, NFP can also assist a couple in conceiving a child.
NFP empowers women with knowledge of their bodies. Couples gain awareness of their mutual fertility.
What if I’m on the pill for medical reasons?
Unfortunately, many physicians turn to the pill as a first option, rather than as a last resort, for treating menstrual irregularities and other women’s health issues. But the pill typically treats only the symptoms — it does not correct the underlying disease or condition. Hormonal drugs can also pose an increased risk of a range of harmful conditions, such as blood clots, tumors, strokes and some forms of cancer.
Thankfully, knowledgeable physicians can often prescribe non-hormonal drugs and recommend safer and healthier treatments for symptoms such as painful cycles, acne, anxiety and fatigue, and address underlying issues such as endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, infertility and menopausal disorders.
How do we learn NFP?
Generally, most couples learn best by enrolling in an NFP course that offers follow-up with a teacher who is trained in a proven method. Multiple NFP practitioners teach a variety of approaches to observe and chart indicators of fertility.
Which NFP method is best?
The best NFP method is the one that works for you! Although based upon the same reproductive science, NFP methods vary in which fertility signs are observed and how they are charted. NFP classes may be offered one-on-one or in group sessions, taught by a married couple or by a health professional. While each NFP method has its own particular strengths, with proper training and motivation all can be used successfully. Modern types of NFP have an effectiveness rate of 97-99 percent in postponing pregnancy. NFP is also highly effective at helping couples achieve pregnancy.
For more information …
Call the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization at (859) 392-1500
We would love to help you!
Please Note
There are certain situations in which the Church believes engaged couples could benefit from more intensive preparation. These include pre-marital pregnancy and extreme youth (one or both partners age 19 or under). In such cases contact your pastor or Catholic Charities (859-581-8974) for individualized pre-marital counseling.
If you are divorced or widowed, discuss with your priest/deacon what preparation program would be best for you.
Scholarships, based on need, are available for all programs. A letter of request and/or a financial aid application may be required.
Humanae Vitae
Read HUMANAE VITAE encyclical letter of Pope Paul VI.