NFP concepts

[jackiem]

Hello all,

I am studying for a big test on Thursday, prayers would be great. However as I study the intricate details of the menstrual cycle I was very curious how this relates to NFP. First, I know a little about NFP such as you chart symptoms like basal metabolic rate and vaginal secretions to determine periods of fertility. As I am studying about the Follicular Phase, Ovulation, Luteal phase, hormone levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH and endometrium lining I was curious if someone could help me relate these concepts back to NFP. Like an increase of basal temp means LH surge?? Or that secretion of this mucous means this? I have heard people speak of phases in terms of numbers but not sure if those are just he numbering of the Follicular Phase as I and so on.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Em_in_FL]

Hello all,

I am studying for a big test on Thursday, prayers would be great. However as I study the intricate details of the menstrual cycle I was very curious how this relates to NFP. First, I know a little about NFP such as you chart symptoms like basal metabolic rate and vaginal secretions to determine periods of fertility. As I am studying about the Follicular Phase, Ovulation, Luteal phase, hormone levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH and endometrium lining I was curious if someone could help me relate these concepts back to NFP. Like an increase of basal temp means LH surge?? Or that secretion of this mucous means this? I have heard people speak of phases in terms of numbers but not sure if those are just he numbering of the Follicular Phase as I and so on.

Thanks in advance!

Basically with NFP you’re tracking the probability of getting pregnant. A woman can get pregnant when she ovulates, right? So there are certain signals that the body gives (due to all these hormonal changes) that give clues as to whether or not she is fertile.
There are several “methods” for tracking those signs… most are called “mucous-only” - like Creighton, Billings, Marquette (which also uses an electronic fertility monitor)… the other method is called “sympto-thermal”, which looks not only at the mucous, but also at the cervical position and the basal body temperature.

Phase 1 (or the follicular phase) starts with menstruation and is typically infertile.
As you move from phase 1 to phase 2 you start charting signs of oncoming fertility (mucous, possibly cervical position).
Phase 2 is ovulation - obviously fertile… mucous and cervical position will clearly indicate this.
Phase 3 (or the luteal phase) is infertile. You will notice there is no fertile mucous and the basal body temperature will indicate a sustained and significant temperature rise due to the body’s release of progesterone after ovulation.

NFP can be PRAYERFULLY used to avoid conception if there are serious reasons to do so… by abstaining during those fertile phases… and allowing you to be joined during the infertile phases without concern of conception.