NFP, which method is best?

[socalcarmelite]

I think a couple are good.

Breastfeeding for two years. Yes that long. Your breast cancer risk will be cut by 50% Your children develop more immunities. You save money. Etc.

Ladycomp and Babycomp. A nice little machine from Europe which is very accurate and approved by the Church.

 

[goravens]

johnnyjoe:

BTW,

The other NFP method I was thinking about is called the Fertility Awareness Method {http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/fam.htm}

It is a very secular approach to NFP, but the science they propose appears to be sound enough…

I’d steer clear of most anything labeled “FAM” or “Fertility Awareness Method.” My understanding of it has been the method involves using the nfp rules, determining the fertile phase, and then using a barrier method during the fertile phase. Not a Catholic approach at all.

 

[spacecadet]

Fertility Awareness Method

it is my understanding that FAM is used by Protestants that use barrier methods during the fertile time, at least that is how i’ve always heard it, don’t know

we use the STM and i like it. i also took a bilinghs ovulation method class but like STM better.

no matter which you choose, PLEASE READ BREASTFEEDING AND NATURAL CHILD SPACING So you can learn how to maximize your postpartum infertility. every woman is different but i experienced 14 months and it was bliss

 

[astegallrnc]

FAM teaches that a couple can abstain OR use a barrier method during fertile times. It does not teach that ONLY a barrier method should be used during the fertile time. No it is not a Catholic approach. In really prefer the title FAM over NFP, but it is because “family planning” conjures up images of ABC.

I know some FAM teachers use rules similar to CCL, etc., but the information provided from a family planning clinic (at least the one I worked in) was lacking.

Autumn

 

[MooCowSteph]

I’ve read about the various methods, but I can’t figure out how Creighton works. Billings just checks mucus, correct? We used STM to avoid and then to achieve pregnancy because the materials were so readily available. Does Creighton check mucus and the position of the cervix? Although I really liked the cross-checking with STM becuase I am a little irregular, I like the idea of not having to take temps when I have a baby to care for. I am concerned that I’ll become pregnant without knowing I’m fertile when I have an infant, even though I plan to practice ecological breastfeeding as presented in Kippley’s book.

 

[johnnyjoe]

turboEDvo:

So, two summary questions:

Are the two methods equally effective if used properly?

Most certainly.

Does STM involve the husband more than the Creighton model?

That is the way CCL teaches the process. The idea is to include the husband in the learning of the method, with CCL emphasizing that the temperture taking is the responsibility of the husband. That really is the only thing a husband can “do” as part of the method. Clearly mucus signs and cervical position are not something the huband can “do”. Givin that responsibility to him is a small part of participation, and as such, gives him incentive to learn the method. I have been taking my wife’s temperature at 6:00am every morning since 1996. I take my small part of this process as the best way to support the shared responsibility for our mutual gift of fertility.

 

[johnnyjoe]

Let me offer a little different perspective.

In some regards, I don’t particularly CARE if an NFP method is “effective”, because it often encourages an attitude that WE control when we are given the GIFT of a child. The Church cares about “effectiveness” because couples sometimes have “serious” or “grave” reasons to postpone pregnancy. My wife and I have that kind of reason. A couple must be able to trust the method they are using will be effective for them.

God gave us these fertility signs for our use. He knows that we need to be both Generous in receiving new life, and Prudent with the lives He has entrusted to us. That is the balance that NFP is used as a tool to decide. Yet any method is only a collection of information that we can use to modify our behavior. We are all dependent upon the Mercy of God to discern whether to postpone or achieve a pregnancy, and quibbling about different methods can often lead to a hardness of heart that serves the Enemy more than God.

I truly believe God has given us different NFP methods to serve different needs in the Body of Christ. I have my preferences, since I teach for CCL, but that is not a prejudice. Other methods are just as passionate about their methodology, as they should be, but that doesn’t mean there is any conflict.

We had a student once who had used Depo Provera for seven years before she took our class. She promoted for our organization, but grew so frustrated with the damage done to her fertility by Depo, that she wanted to become part of the solution. She was a Nurse Practioner by training, and is now a Creighton Model NFP teacher. We celebrate her chioce to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit and take up the cause! Because she choose to teach another method is not a rejection of STM to us, it’s just a greater flowering of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the service of the Church.

 

[SeekerJen]

johnnyjoe:

I was on a talk show the other day, and was telling the host about the recent pronouncement from the WHO that oral contraceptives were carcinogenic. He seemed to think it was a good risk to keep from having “unwanted” children.

:banghead:

I just don’t get it. Everyone’s freaked out about chemical pesticides and hormones in their milk and meat, refined carbs, trans-fats, organic this, organic that, yet millions of women voluntarily pay for and take synthetic hormones for which the long-term results are only just now becoming apparent (and many of those are not good).

 

[MaryB23]

MooCowSteph:

I’ve read about the various methods, but I can’t figure out how Creighton works. Billings just checks mucus, correct? We used STM to avoid and then to achieve pregnancy because the materials were so readily available. Does Creighton check mucus and the position of the cervix? Although I really liked the cross-checking with STM becuase I am a little irregular, I like the idea of not having to take temps when I have a baby to care for. I am concerned that I’ll become pregnant without knowing I’m fertile when I have an infant, even though I plan to practice ecological breastfeeding as presented in Kippley’s book.

Here’s a link to the Fertility Care website which explains the Creighton Model. That’s the one my husband and I just started using a couple of months ago and we really like it. It just looks at mucus, not cervical position (which I don’t think I would be comfortable with AT ALL) and not BBT. I haven’t looked too much into the Sympto-Thermal method, but my understanding is that you should take your temp around the same time every day and after a certain amount of sleep? I have always had sleep issues (even before kids ) so I don’t think it would be too feasible for me to do.

 

[turboEDvo]

I just don’t get it. Everyone’s freaked out about chemical pesticides and hormones in their milk and meat, refined carbs, trans-fats, organic this, organic that, yet millions of women voluntarily pay for and take synthetic hormones for which the long-term results are only just now becoming apparent (and many of those are not good).
[/quote]

I think people get into the mindset that if their body produces a hormone, then it is safe to use the same hormone produced by a pharmaceutical company. They don’t realize the potential risks the messing with your body’s chemistry like that can have. I happen to know exactly how my perscription medicine can mess with my body (luckily I know how to counteract it as well, and my doctor agrees with my method). Adding hormones to your body that it does produce can lead to bad results because it throws off the equilibrium you body makes for itself.

Eamon

 

[johnnyjoe]

I just don’t get it. Everyone’s freaked out about chemical pesticides and hormones in their milk and meat, refined carbs, trans-fats, organic this, organic that, yet millions of women voluntarily pay for and take synthetic hormones for which the long-term results are only just now becoming apparent (and many of those are not good).
[/quote]

SJ!!

Long time no talk to…how have you been? I’ll tell Mrs. H I “talked” to you…

Ah…more of the diabolical nature of the BCP…This kind of news will have to be listened to though…it is the WHO, you know…darling of the liberal press!

 

[johnnyjoe]

MaryB23:

…I haven’t looked too much into the Sympto-Thermal method, but my understanding is that you should take your temp around the same time every day and after a certain amount of sleep? I have always had sleep issues (even before kids ) so I don’t think it would be too feasible for me to do.

Actually the Basal Body Temperature - the BBT - is only affected by severe lack of sleep. My wife fully nursed twins, getting by with no more than 2-3 hours of sleep at time for over two years, and her temps were not affected. The BBT is very relieable as a fertility sign, but it does require that it be taken “reliably”, and for some people, that is an issue.

 

[yochumjy]

johnnyjoe:

Um…I don’t think you understood my point. The Couple to Couple League is not the only organization teaching a Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP. I believe the other organization is called the “Symptothermal Method”, and is a non-aligned teaching organization. My understanding is that they take a much more “secular” approach to NFP, including advocation of the use of barrier methods during the fertile phase.

I cannot speak as to whether or not there are 5 Symtothermal Method teachers in Colorado, but I am certain there are quite a few CCL teachers in Colorado. My wife and I teach for CCL.

I don’t think you understand my point. I can name 5 CCL teacher’s here in CO, and they are very NOT secular. The couple to couple league is not limited to the NorthEast. I know nothing about “Symptothermal Method” organization. I am a memeber of CCL and have been since taking the class associated with them.

 

[RosaLydia]

My husband and I have been using Creighton and I would definitely recommend it. It is very simple to use as soon as you become used to the routine of checking for fertility signs.

I also would like to add that it can involve a lot of husband participation. My husband attended all the classes with me and he is in charge of recording the signs at the end of the day, charting and determining whether we are being fertile or not. I think the husband participation and support is very important and will strengthen the relationship. After you are able to talk to your husband about “mucus”, there is nothing much out there that I would be embarrassed to share with him.

 

[johnnyjoe]

yochumjy:

I don’t think you understand my point. I can name 5 CCL teacher’s here in CO, and they are very NOT secular. The couple to couple league is not limited to the NorthEast. I know nothing about “Symptothermal Method” organization. I am a memeber of CCL and have been since taking the class associated with them.

Well then HELLO John from a fellow CCL member. My wife and I are a Teaching Couple in Missouri…I never doubted that there were CCL - STM teachers in Colorado.

I was talking about the FAM method, which was talked about up higher in the thread. There are other STM methods taught, and there is still another one in the Northeast that I can’t remember the name for…I’m thinking New York…any ideas anybody?

 

[MooCowSteph]

Here’s a link to the Fertility Care website which explains the Creighton Model. That’s the one my husband and I just started using a couple of months ago and we really like it. It just looks at mucus, not cervical position (which I don’t think I would be comfortable with AT ALL) and not BBT. I haven’t looked too much into the Sympto-Thermal method, but my understanding is that you should take your temp around the same time every day and after a certain amount of sleep? I have always had sleep issues (even before kids ) so I don’t think it would be too feasible for me to do.

Thanks. I thought it was just mucus observations, but wasn’t sure. The site isn’t very specific, saying “The CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System relies upon the observation of biological markers that are essential to human fertility and a woman’s health. These biological markers tell the couple when they are naturally fertile and not fertile.” I just wasn’t sure what those biological markers were.

While checking cervical position can be part of sympo-thermal, not everyone does it. I have had no sucess with it. I just check mucus and take temps. I find my temps to be more reliable than my mucus, which is affected by my allergy medication, so I think I would have trouble with a Billings or Creighton-type method. I also really like that CCL puts out a self-study book. It made it much easier for us.

 

[spanky]

What if there is nobody in my area that teaches NFP? I’d have to travel all the way to da UP if I want to learn the Creighton method. Can we purchase a kit or something and learn this on our own?

 

[yochumjy]

johnnyjoe:

Well then HELLO John from a fellow CCL member. My wife and I are a Teaching Couple in Missouri…I never doubted that there were CCL - STM teachers in Colorado.

I was talking about the FAM method, which was talked about up higher in the thread. There are other STM methods taught, and there is still another one in the Northeast that I can’t remember the name for…I’m thinking New York…any ideas anybody?

Hello yourself! And a big oops, sorry, since I misread your post. CCL is very cool, although my wife and I aren’t needing it right now! Baby on the way!

 

[Michelle_in_KC]

Well said! God Bless you.
:clapping:

johnnyjoe:

Let me offer a little different perspective.

In some regards, I don’t particularly CARE if an NFP method is “effective”, because it often encourages an attitude that WE control when we are given the GIFT of a child. The Church cares about “effectiveness” because couples sometimes have “serious” or “grave” reasons to postpone pregnancy. My wife and I have that kind of reason. A couple must be able to trust the method they are using will be effective for them.

God gave us these fertility signs for our use. He knows that we need to be both Generous in receiving new life, and Prudent with the lives He has entrusted to us. That is the balance that NFP is used as a tool to decide. Yet any method is only a collection of information that we can use to modify our behavior. We are all dependent upon the Mercy of God to discern whether to postpone or achieve a pregnancy, and quibbling about different methods can often lead to a hardness of heart that serves the Enemy more than God.

I truly believe God has given us different NFP methods to serve different needs in the Body of Christ. I have my preferences, since I teach for CCL, but that is not a prejudice. Other methods are just as passionate about their methodology, as they should be, but that doesn’t mean there is any conflict.

We had a student once who had used Depo Provera for seven years before she took our class. She promoted for our organization, but grew so frustrated with the damage done to her fertility by Depo, that she wanted to become part of the solution. She was a Nurse Practioner by training, and is now a Creighton Model NFP teacher. We celebrate her chioce to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit and take up the cause! Because she choose to teach another method is not a rejection of STM to us, it’s just a greater flowering of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the service of the Church.

 

[johnnyjoe]

spanky:

What if there is nobody in my area that teaches NFP? I’d have to travel all the way to da UP if I want to learn the Creighton method. Can we purchase a kit or something and learn this on our own?

The Couple to Couple League, which teaches a Sympto-Thermal NFP method, has a home study course kit. You can find the kit at the website: www.ccli.org

If you want to PM me, I can make arrangements for you to recieve a kit from the central office in Cinncinnatti.

Pax Christi,
John