Another NFP Question

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crobynb

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My husband and I are currently expecting our 1st baby. Afterwards we would like to begin using NFP to naturally space our family a bit. Should I/We begin taking classes now while I am still pregnant or would that be pointless since I do not really have any cycles to chart? I was not sure how that worked.

If not, and I need to wait until I am having cycles again - how do you deal with not getting pregnant until you are “trained” in NFP? I know that I plan on breastfeeding exclusively if possible, but that is not infallible when preventing pregnancy while nursing. We definitely do not want to use any artificial contraception, but it would be nice to get adjusted to being parents with the first one before rushing into a second . . . and third . . . and so on. :o
 
I utilize the Creighton system of NFP and because of the way we were trained in it, it would have been easy to avoid a pregnancy during those first months of learning it. With Creighton, you meet with a woman who is trained in using the system quite regularly at the onset of using. That person is also available to answer questions if you have any. Creighton also makes it pretty simple in general to tell if you are fertile or not. Good luck and congratulations on your baby!
 
You need to contact a CCLI, Creighton, or Billings instructor and discuss your situation with them individually. You would need to know what signs to look for as your fertility returns post-partum. And, yes, it will be a bit tricky learning now. But, I’m sure that the instructors have faced a similar situation before and will have advice for you.
 
The NFP class I took during my engagement met over the course of several monthes. Decide what course you want to take and find out how long the classes run. I’d want to complete the classes before I was fertile again, if it was me.
 
I have heard the different methods mentioned before. If I may ask, what is the usual cost associated with these classes? Is one method more expensive than another? Other than your class fees - which ones have ongoing costs and such?

Thank you guys so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut!!
 
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crobynb:
I have heard the different methods mentioned before. If I may ask, what is the usual cost associated with these classes? Is one method more expensive than another? Other than your class fees - which ones have ongoing costs and such?

Thank you guys so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut!!
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As far as I know, they are all on a sliding scale.

Friends of mine learned Sympto-Thermal from Couple to Couple League, and I think the price was about $50. There’s also a book & thermometer to purchase, but that’s pretty minimal. They had 4 classes, over 4 months, and the instruction is in a group setting.

I use Creighton, and instructors charge individually. I know they do have sliding scales based on ability to pay. Creighton has more intense instruction as the sessions are all one-on-one with the instructor for an hour. We reviewed my charts each session, and sessions were $50/session but I know people who paid a lot less (one of my friends does pro-life work for a living and makes very little $… and she learned Creighton free). The sessions are frequent at first (every other week), then less frequently over the course of a year until you only check up about every 3 months-- then you can be on your own or continue consulting with your instructor as issues arise. Creighton is mucus only, so no thermometer, and the charts & stickers are pretty minimal-- less than $10 for a year’s worth.

I don’t know anything about Billings.
 
ccli.org
creightonmodel.com/
boma-USA.org

This sites might offer the info you are looking for. I took CCL’s class years ago and it was $50 including the book and thermometer. I’m not sure what the fees are now, but most instructors will give you a break if you can’t afford it. Some offer “scholarships” for those who can’t pay. A yearly subscription to CCL’s Family Foundations is $30 (I think?) and you get unlimited help with your charts from the organization and a magazine (with great articles and info!) and downloadable charts for free.
 
I would find where you can take the classes locally can call and ask if it would be ok for them to teach you while you are pregnant (some may be more skilled in teaching to pregnant women than others).
Just as an aside note, I would make sure (not saying you haven’t) you have prayed about this carefully and are keeping an open mind just to make sure that your reason “it would be nice to get adjusted to being parents with the first one before rushing into a second…” is a serious or just or grave one. NFP is a wonderful tool to help a couple when facing such situations and no one can tell you what is or is not a serious reason (a priest can advise, but in the end its the couple that has to derive what God wants of them).
God Bless you and your family!
 
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