Learning NFP on your own?

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rachelleah

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My husband and I got married just over three months ago and had agreed ahead of time to use NFP in accordance with church teaching. Unfortunately we live in an area where getting an NFP class together is difficult if not impossible–not because of a lack of Catholics, but because of a lack of Catholics willing to follow the Church’s teachings on ABC and NFP. So, this question is for folks with a working knowledge of NFP and perhaps even the Billings’ Method: is it advisable to “teach yourself”? I’m not a scholar by any means, but my husband and I are both VERY well-informed re: reproductive systems and are disposed to learning whatever else we need to to practice NFP. Is there anyplace online that offers a course or would it be best to try and russle up some instructors where we live–if there are any…:confused:

Blessings
 
I’m confused. Have you even looked to see if there are any instructors nearby? If there are instructors, even an hour or more away, I would most definitely use their expertise.

Creighton has instructors all over, and so does CCLI.
 
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Princess_Abby:
I’m confused. Have you even looked to see if there are any instructors nearby? If there are instructors, even an hour or more away, I would most definitely use their expertise.

Creighton has instructors all over, and so does CCLI.
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Actually Creighton does not have instructors all over…the nearest one to us is over 3 hours away without traffic 😦
 
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Karin:
Actually Creighton does not have instructors all over…the nearest one to us is over 3 hours away without traffic 😦
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Well, plenty do phone consults. All you have to do is fax or mail the chart on over. Perhaps they could take the drive once for the initial consultation, then do follow-up phone calls. If someone wants instruction, it’s not that hard to obtain.
 
All three of the most popular NFP methods offer a home-study or distance learning option: CCLI (Sympto-Thermal), Creighton, and Billings. Go to their websites and contact them.

You can also learn by reading The Art of Natural Family Planning and the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

But, I highly recommend getting an instructor, even if it’s distance instruction.
 
Naturally, we looked for an instructor first, but when one priest’s response was “Oh, just don’t worry about it; no one does NFP anymore anyway,” and another told us, “There’s no one who’ll come all the way out here for just one couple,” well, we decided to try it on our own.

Thanks a lot for the links, Jennifer J.

Blessings.
 
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1ke:
All three of the most popular NFP methods offer a home-study or distance learning option: CCLI (Sympto-Thermal), Creighton, and Billings. Go to their websites and contact them.

You can also learn by reading The Art of Natural Family Planning and the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

But, I highly recommend getting an instructor, even if it’s distance instruction.
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Thanks very much. My mom actually just asked me if I might want The Art… for my birthday.🙂
 
I learned NFP through the book The Art of Natural Family Planning. I found the book " Taking charge of your Fertility" very useful too.

However, the most useful tool was the Taking Charge of your Fertility software available through the website ovusoft.com/
They have a 15 day free trial for you to check it out if you would like. I’m horrible at charting on my own, but the computer software is excellent! Also, there is a way to post your charts to get opinions from other TCOYF software users. I’ve posted a few times and always received terrific quick responses that have helped me out abundantly!

And yes… there are catholics out there that still use NFP!

Peace & Blessings
Danielle
 
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rachelleah:
Naturally, we looked for an instructor first, but when one priest’s response was “Oh, just don’t worry about it; no one does NFP anymore anyway,” and another told us, “There’s no one who’ll come all the way out here for just one couple,” well, we decided to try it on our own.

Thanks a lot for the links, Jennifer J.

Blessings.
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You all are only the couple who spoke up. There may be lots more couples interested to learn if the opportunity was presented to them. Your priest (God bless him), sounds lazy to me. Don’t forget to check your local hospitals, many of them offer classes in NFP.

Don’t give up … it’s very worth it.
 
No matter which method you use, or how you learn about NFP it is wise to seek out another couple who practices as well. You will need to be able to ask someone questions, especially while you are first learning any of these methods. A seasoned NFPer is always good and not at all squeamish when it comes to the more intimate questions. A good place to meet other faithful Catholics who practice NFP is by going to Daily Mass (if your life allows it), by looking for those who have children already and are faithfully attending Sunday Mass (check out your parishes Moms Group (doesn’t matter if you don’t have kids some women may be a wealth of surprising info) Also, how I found other NFPer’s was by attending EOR given through Opus Dei (something for another post) Also retreats by Regnum Christi. There is no need for “membership” it just allows you to meet family’s and couples who love the Church as much as you and your husband. We lived in a very concervative Catholic area for years and then moved to S. CA. It has not been easy but God answered my prayers a couple of months ago when I went to an EOR and met 5 other women who practiced NFP without a second thought. What a delight. We have been doing it for nine years now, actually started while we were protestants (many of them practice it too) and we did take a class, best option. Anyway, my point is that you need the support, outside of the books,and yes it will take extra effort on your part (a shame isn’t it:( ) but you will appreciate it and who knows you may even be blessed with a new friend in Christ.

I am sorry about your priest’s responce to you and I applaude you for not giving up. God has smiled on you.

Good luck.
 
I read a book, busted out the Excel and made a pivot table with a graph, and it worked like a charm for the 7+ years I used it. 🙂
 
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rachelleah:
My husband and I got married just over three months ago and had agreed ahead of time to use NFP in accordance with church teaching. Unfortunately we live in an area where getting an NFP class together is difficult if not impossible–not because of a lack of Catholics, but because of a lack of Catholics willing to follow the Church’s teachings on ABC and NFP. So, this question is for folks with a working knowledge of NFP and perhaps even the Billings’ Method: is it advisable to “teach yourself”? I’m not a scholar by any means, but my husband and I are both VERY well-informed re: reproductive systems and are disposed to learning whatever else we need to to practice NFP. Is there anyplace online that offers a course or would it be best to try and russle up some instructors where we live–if there are any…:confused:

Blessings
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I learned from NFP from a book–my dad gave it to us for an early wedding gift. I practiced taking my temperature and checking the other fertility signs several months before getting married. It’s possible to learn NFP on your own, but I’d definitely check out the links from JenniferJ and/or hook up with some other couples that use NFP. Good luck!!
 
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Giannawannabe:
I learned from NFP from a book–my dad gave it to us for an early wedding gift. I practiced taking my temperature and checking the other fertility signs several months before getting married. It’s possible to learn NFP on your own, but I’d definitely check out the links from JenniferJ and/or hook up with some other couples that use NFP. Good luck!!
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Boy, that was smart. I wish I had planned ahead that well. I took the above advice about looking for other NFP-ers in my parish and several people suggested the Billings Method, which requires abstinence while the cycle/symptoms are established. If I had done what you did (practicing ahead of time checking signs) this “on-the-job” training wouldn’t be necessary.:o
 
We used the CCLI Home Study to teach ourselves. I think it might have been easier to go to a class, but we managed ok. The book is very clear and thorough.
 
I learned NFP from Taking Charge of Your Fertility. The book is not written from a Catholic POV, but the science and methodology is correct. I also have The Art of Natural Family Planning. I started charting 7 months before getting married. January 1st will be my 2 year anniversary of charting, and I think it is the best thing to happen to me! I strongly suggest charting, even to those who aren’t Catholic, since it is so empowering. I use the free software at www.fertilityfriend.com and bought the software from www.ovusoft.com.

Ovusoft also has a forum like this, where you can ask charting questions, although the atmosphere can be a little hostile toward Catholics if you wander into certain areas. There is a thread in the general buddies section that I frequent called Our Lady of Pilar, which is a gathering place for Catholics. Also, at www.theotherforum.com (here) and at www.letsjusttalk.com (here), there are threads where charters give support to each other. Both are free access if you register.
 
forums.delphiforums.com/nfptalk/
Here’s another NFP discussion board. Let me know if the link doesn’t work

Here’s the link to Billings Ovulation Method site
boma-usa.org
and Creighton creightonmodel.com/

We didn’t learn the sympto thermal method until 4 years into our marriage when we converted. It’s challenging to learn with no “practice” time, but offer up any abstaining!!! 🙂
 
I’m lucky, my cycles are VERY regular, and I have some background in reproductive biology.

I just gathered what I could from some of the online charting services and from library books.

I certainly DO NOT advocate this for people completely unfamiliar with female biology and terminology. But then again, I don’t think one needs a PhD in physiology to understand the mechanics.

I think the added support that a professional advisor could give would be worth the effort to seek one out. (Even if it was someone a couple hours away).

There are also a lot of couples who practice NFP who offer their advice on this. If you can’t get what you need from a hospital, you might try contacting Couple to Couple League or the Diocese office for a referral.
God bless you and your husband on your decision!
 
Has anyone used Persona? It is approved by the Church for naturally spacing babes. My girlfriend loves it and has been using it for years. She found this the easiest way for her after trying, NFP by CCl, Creighten Method and Billings. It is from the UK and needs to be ordered. Basically, you pee on a stick, not unlike an EPT test and the computer inside recordes your hormone levels, green light = ok to have sex, red light = only if you want a baby:D . Check out the website and let me know if you like it. www.persona.org.uk . Just another option I thought I would pass on.
 
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my4ducks:
Has anyone used Persona? It is approved by the Church for naturally spacing babes. My girlfriend loves it and has been using it for years. She found this the easiest way for her after trying, NFP by CCl, Creighten Method and Billings. It is from the UK and needs to be ordered. Basically, you pee on a stick, not unlike an EPT test and the computer inside recordes your hormone levels, green light = ok to have sex, red light = only if you want a baby:D . Check out the website and let me know if you like it. www.persona.org.uk . Just another option I thought I would pass on.
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After looking at the website it seems that this Persona can not be used by many woman…😦 it would seem that the tradiontal NFP would be better…
*PERSONA must not be used by women:
  • with cycles shorter than 23 days
  • with cycles longer than 35 days
  • who have experienced menopausal symptoms
  • who are breast feeding
  • who are using hormonal treatments, e.g.
    hormonal contraception
    fertility treatments
    hormone replacement therapy
  • who are using any other treatments which may affect their cycle
  • taking antibiotics containing tetracyclines. If you have any doubts about whether the antibiotic you are taking contains tetracyclines, please consult your pharmacist or doctor
  • who have impaired liver or kidney function orpolycystic ovarian syndrome
  • who are unable to accept the risk of pregnancy associated with the use of PERSONA*
*If you have recently been or are currently:
  • using hormonal contraception (e.g. the pill, a hormone releasing intrauterine contraceptive device, implants, injection, emergency contraception)
  • or using treatments that affect your cycle check with your doctor
    you must wait until you have stopped using the hormonal contraception or finished the course of treatment as instructed by your doctor. Then you MUST WAIT until you have had at least two natural consecutive cycles, each lasting 23-35 days, and your third period starts, before using PERSONA. As hormonal contraception will affect your cycle you may have to wait several months before you know whether your natural cycles are between 23 and 35 days in length. If you do not wait, the reliability of PERSONA will be significantly reduced.*
*If you have recently been:
  • pregnant (even if not carried to full term) you must wait before you start using PERSONA (see above)
  • breast feeding you must completely finish breastfeeding and you must then wait before you start using PERSONA. See above. Please note that while you are waiting to use PERSONA you are at risk of becoming pregnant. Please consult your family planning clinic or your doctor for contraceptive advice. *
**
 
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