NFP and the working mother

[HorsesForever]

I haven’t thought about using an app. That way I can just put the info in my phone quickly instead of waiting until the end of the day when my shift is finally over to go home and write down the info on my chart. I only chart cervical fluid as my body temp isn’t accurate do to my restless sleep and my sleeping patterns due to work. I can go to the bathroom and check and put it right into my phone. I think this will really work for me.

 

[TheLittleLady]

We chose to use a method that did not do temps for these and other reasons (chronic insomnia for one!).

Quick observation of mucous when I went to pee. Simple, took maybe 10 extra seconds.

 

[HorsesForever]

This might be a little off topic but how successful would you say NFP was for you in avoiding pregnancy/spacing pregnancies?

 

[Xantippe]

This might be a little off topic but how successful would you say NFP was for you in avoiding pregnancy/spacing pregnancies?

Very successful. I have been pregnant four times over 20 years, with three living children and one late miscarriage. There were two unexpected pregnancies (one of the living children and the late miscarriage), but I know what happened. My last pregnancy was conceived at 36 during my first cycle of trying, which I have to credit NFP for.

In the first instance of unexpected pregnancy (and this was completely unpredictable), it turned out that it was possible for me to conceive on Day 14 from marital relations on Day 7 (!). The second time, it turned out that I had a phantom temperature rise that was actually illness–it was followed by the real temperature rise.

We have revised our standards after both of those episodes. For example, we’ve gotten gradually more conservative about Phase 1, to the point where we now only use Phase 3 and the very first day of Phase 1. If/when my cycles shorten any more, we will need to drop that one day of Phase 1 and (theoretically!) we might even need to drop a day or two at the end of Phase 3.

Both postpartum NFP and perimenopausal NFP are really tricky/may involve a lot of abstinence. I have not started full-blown perimenopausal cycles, but I do find that my fertility signs are more subtle than they used to be.

 

[1ke]

perimenopausal NFP are really tricky/may involve a lot of abstinence

Yep.

This is where Creighton’s “essential sameness” (yellow stickers) can help.

 

[jlc2k2]

I work. I put my thermometer on top of my alarm clock so I don’t forget to take my temperature. I keep an eye out for my cm signs during the day. Record the signs right before bed in Ovuview (unless there’s a need to check earlier ).

My biggest hurdle is finding a thermometer I like. Lol.

 

[Clementine14]

Well a SAHM might still have more time and be able to do it better in the comfort of her own home where she has all her charts and pens and things handy.

Don’t assume a SAHM has any more free time than a woman who works outside the home, especially one who isn’t yet a mom. I had way more free time as a working professional. A SAHM is lucky if she gets one minute to go in the bathroom by herself to observe signs.

 

[pensmama87]

Maybe I need to just chill and it will be fine.

As a person who tends towards neuroticism, I have to say that this seems to be the lesson that God keeps smacking me upside the head with.

It’s good to do your research and be prepared. But there really isn’t any point borrowing trouble. Deal with what you actually have going on.

In my case, I found that temping was incredibly consistent regardless of how much I woke up during the night. I’ve done paper charts and apps, just for convenience. My husband and I have our own bathroom so I keep the current chart posted there and he can read it. I generally have an idea when not charting super carefully. Once you have done it for a while, you can’t “unknow” it, really.

 

[HorsesForever]

That’s really good. It’s encouraging to see from other women that NFP can work if the effort is put into it. We plan on having four children, God willing.

 

[HorsesForever]

Ive been doing a ton of research of the different methods out there. It made my head spin. I’ll be taking a NFP class that uses the Creighton method. I’ve been tracking my fertility signs on my own without having been taught. I do see a pattern. I can’t wait to go to a teacher though who can help me understand better. I have a few questions that have been bugging me.

That’s good to hear about how your tempt has been consistent despite waking so often. I thought there would be no point in doing this as I am a restless sleeper. I think I’ll give it a try and see what happens.

That’s a good idea about hanging the chart in the bathroom for your husband to see. That way he knows what’s what and he won’t ask for love making during a fertile time and be denied. Then I won’t have to feel bad. THis could also put some more spontaneity into it otherwise I just end up saying “my love, I’m in phase 3 now, we can go ahead and make love”. This kind of makes it feel, for lack of a better word, mechanical or obligatory.

 

[HorsesForever]

I do have a child and I understand about children not giving a moment to yourself.

 

[Xantippe]

That’s good to hear about how your tempt has been consistent despite waking so often.

I’ve had more or less the same results–my temperatures seem pretty robust. Other people may have different results, though.

That’s a good idea about hanging the chart in the bathroom for your husband to see. That way he knows what’s what and he won’t ask for love making during a fertile time and be denied.

Yeah, you really want to avoid the wife-as-gatekeeper situation.

My husband is involved enough with charting that he has been known to inform me when my cycle is about to end.

THis could also put some more spontaneity into it otherwise I just end up saying “my love, I’m in phase 3 now, we can go ahead and make love”. This kind of makes it feel, for lack of a better word, mechanical or obligatory.

It’s all in the execution…

 

[Sunflowers]

Have you heard of lady comp? It basically is NFp. It just takes the guesswork out and is super simple. Their customer service is amazing. It’s an amazing product. It tells you fertile/infertile with red/green/yellow lights. You take your oral temperature every morning first thing. It was a total game changer.