Defer Having Children

[Augustine3]

A friend asked me and I didn’t really know how to answer him. His question was what are some specific practical reasons grave enough to defer having children?

 

[Gregorian875fan]

I have a similar question/situation. My wife has a severe scoliosis, and we aren’t sure (niether is her doctor) if having a child would cause a major permanent or emergent medical issue for her back for the future, as the pregnancy process involves usually laxity of ligaments that can in some cases become permanent (we’re thinking a major spinal column structural problem). So we are a little scared to try have a child. On the other hand everything could go perfectly normal, we just don’t have any way of measuring the risk.

 

[vsedriver]

A friend asked me and I didn’t really know how to answer him. His question was what are some specific practical reasons grave enough to defer having children?

spacing out children to allow for the mother to recover physically and mentally

loss of a job, home, poor health

 

[Weissystems]

Have you asked God for guidance. Talk to HIM in prayer and ask HIM how it will fit into HIS plan!
www.catholicprayergroup.net

 

[1love]

There isn’t a definitive list because everyone’s grave reason can be different. For example, when my husband was laid off, we mutually decided that it wasn’t cause to avoid pregnancy. Another family may have felt otherwise.

 

[Anglewannabe]

I was brought up to believe that as long as no artificial means were used, it is OK to avoid pregnancy through NFP. I must admit that I was quite shocked when I heard about 5 years ago that it w as a sin to avoid pregnancy unless there was a good reason.

Honestly, who can judge what a good reason is apart from God? Not to mention that a Catholic knows His will is going to prevail and to trust as things happen. If a couple is happy in their marriage and chooses to use NFP because they both agreed they want to avoid pregnancy, IMO that is OK

Angie

 

[Augustine3]

Thanks guys for answering; lots of food for thought!

Although my friend has never said it out loud but I get the feeling he doesn’t want more than two kids (which he has now) simply because he doesn’t want the additional responsibility. I think he’s over waking up at night, sometimes I see the frustrating look on his face after he had only 4 hours sleep or when his kids cry too much…

What do you guys think?

 

[Augustine3]

I was brought up to believe that as long as no artificial means were used, it is OK to avoid pregnancy through NFP. I must admit that I was quite shocked when I heard about 5 years ago that it w as a sin to avoid pregnancy unless there was a good reason.

Honestly, who can judge what a good reason is apart from God? Not to mention that a Catholic knows His will is going to prevail and to trust as things happen. If a couple is happy in their marriage and chooses to use NFP because they both agreed they want to avoid pregnancy, IMO that is OK

Angie

I read on a website that abstinence from sex is not a sin because it doesn’t frustrate nature. Only when couples use NFP for selfish reasons does it become sinful because procreating is the climax and final end that draws married couples to sexual unity.