On pondering NFP

[whatevergirl]

I don’t think it increases it, but, I think you can mistake perspiration spots on your underwear for fertile (wet) mucous. Also, intensely working out can affect the natural rhythm of your cycles. This might alter the predictability of your fertile and infertile times, as well as your periods. If you are already irregular, you probably won’t notice much difference. But, if you are “like clock work” be prepared to be extra observant, cause you won’t be able to predict like you once might have. That’s all I know, others will probably know more.

I used to be 28 days, but now it runs about 23 days. It’s like…didn’t I just have this? But, I will have to just monitor it for the next cycle. Thank you for your reply!

 

[Em_in_FL]

I have a question–will intense workouts cause an increase in mucus? My husband is concerned that now that I’m working out more frequently again, that I might get an increase in mucus, but maybe it’s due to working out? I am planning to go to Borders today, to buy a book on this!

In my experience… yes.
Exercise is actually great for the fertility cycle and helps improve your signs…

The better shape I’m in, the more “readable” my signs are… if that makes sense…

 

[whatevergirl]

In my experience… yes.
Exercise is actually great for the fertility cycle and helps improve your signs…

The better shape I’m in, the more “readable” my signs are… if that makes sense…

Excellent:thumbsup: Thank you Em!

 

[earstohear]

Considering all the choices we are offered in having and raising a family and the means for spacing children we can so easily be mislead by the seemingly ‘happy’ solutions of the secular world. The fact is that all the artificial means of contraception promoted in the media offer no real foundation for having and raising children. Compare these false promises with the no carb, no fat, no calorie artificial food claims against the real state of health of so many among us. Organic family planning like organic food, unprocessed and natural, suits us. In nature the sexual appetite serves procreation just as the appetite for food serves healthy nutrition. Disassociate ourselves from these goals and we have trouble. Married couples who practice NFP have very few divorces, 3 to 4 percent. We know that maintaining good health requires discipline and good eating habits. Nature’s law applies to our sexual practices as well as our eating habits. In our original condition, prone to wrong-doing, only God’s grace and personal honesty will lead a couple on the right course in their marriage. Much of it may not be convenient or pleasureable, but then, again, we know from common experience how much matters get out of hand when we make the wrong choices for ourselves and our children. Our Father’s plan is our best choice even though at times it may seem inconvenient and difficult. Christ among us lived an inconvenient and difficult life. Recall,too,how Jesus understood our difficulties. “You will grieve but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anquish because her hour has not arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” ( John 16, 21 ). The joy of having a child! Natural organic family planning is the best way to bear and raise children. It is God’s way, naturally. Take the time to investigate and learn. There is nothing more important between a man and wife. Check the Couple to Couple League for help.

 

[dwc]

Married couples who practice NFP have very few divorces, 3 to 4 percent.

Well, yes, but I don’t think that’s attributable to NFP; rather, I think it’s because those who follow NFP also adhere to the church’s teaching on divorce and don’t divorce, even if their marriage is not happy. I used to feel that our experience with NFP was unusual, but after reading several threads on this board, I am realizing that many couples find NFP to be a detriment to their marriages, but remain committed to it and to their marriage because they are faithful to the church’s teachings.

 

[catholic79]

Spot on!! I am right there with you, wouldn’t go back for anything.Everything about our marriage is better, I attribute that to God’s grace.

I wouldn’t go back either!

 

[newbetx]

I read a lot of the threads here that relate to NFP. I don’t find NFP to be enjoyable at all. The temps, the observations, the charts, ugh! It’s so un-sexy! Just the waking up and taking my temp every morning makes me feel so- carnal. I use the word carnal because every time I put that thermometer in my mouth, I am reminded that it’s a “no-sex” day (I only temp until it’s phase 3).

Anyway, my question here is for those here who tout NFP as so much more effective than ABC. It strikes me as odd when this aspect of NFP is used to prop it up against ABC, because NFP is supposed to be used in order to remain open to life even while trying to avoid. When I hear the 99% effective statistic thrown around, it grates on me because I just don’t think that it fits the Catholic perspective on family planning. If the effectiveness was any factor at all, then condoms would be the “Catholic” way to go. They are non-abortifacient, and fail 15% of the time.

Does anyone else here understand my logic? It just sounds wrong when that statistic is used to cast NFP in a positive light. The other one that bugs me is when I hear people talk about how much intimacy NFP ushers into a marriage. For us, it has banished most of the intimacy. We end up avoiding each other during the fertile periods, and during the infertile periods- if we actually find time to be intimate, well, it doesn’t last very long. Plus, I’m not particularly “in the mood” during my infertile times, so for me, although sex is still nice, I miss being with my husband when my desire is high.

Just pondering today…

I thought it was that simple too. Do it anytime you want with whatever barrier you choose and “if God wants us to have a child, He’ll give us one.”

Well, I suggest you read Christopher West’s Theology of the Body for Beginners… Or read "The Good News About Sex and Marriage, together with your husband. It will explain much of the “perceived problem” with NFP. I don’t want to spoil it but let me tell you what dumping NFP for a simpler, more convenient method of ABC did to us. It turned into a downward spiral in intimacy for 8 years, nearly killing our marriage. After reading about TOB, I understood what exactly was missing from our sex life… love and sacrifice. Once I explained it to my wife, our world turned around. She told me the other day that she thought if we had stuck with NFP, we’d have had a better time of it. I think she is right.

While we continue to view the world from a perspective of convenience, we sometimes forget exactly how much some things are worth when we have to work for them.

I think some people can be miserable with NFP. Or they can be very happy. I’m sure attitude plays more of a roll than mechanics.

I do suggest that you and your husband read one of CW’s books and discuss it. Then you are free to make your decision.

 

[earstohear]

The two purposes of marriage, a husband and wife’s love and having children are inseparable. Both are essential in a healthy and fulfilled marriage where children are the fruit of the marriage.
These priorities are a constant in NFP, the continuing communication and cooperation of husband and wife which should draw them closer together. Artificial contraception besides frustrating nature’s goal removes any conversation about children in the marriage. Some would falsely argue that NFP is no different than artificial contraception. But natural family planning always accepts the possibility of bearing children in the marital embrace with the knowledge of a wife’s fertility–either for having a child or deferring a child without denying the call to have children. Using natural family planning simply as a means for not having children defeats the purpose of marriage. In natural family planning the husband and wife ask before God and themselves, What is our true vocation in marriage? In the Book of Genesis we learn that God “created them, male and female” that the “two become one flesh” with God’s command to “increase and multiply.” How else is God to people heaven? This should be a married couple’s greatest joy.

 

[hasikelee]

I’ve heard the complaints about monitoring fertility and how it’s gross or too inconvenient…

I guess brushing your teeth, wiping your backside, planning an anniversary date, shaving your legs, scheduling around work, school and kids, etc, is just as horrible, right?

I mean, are these true concerns, or is there a deeper issue not being expressed?

I hate having to wake up every morning and comb my hair, get dressed… gasp I have to make sure I get to school and work on time… Trying to feel my stomach grumble and watching what and when I eat is soooooo hard and uncomfortable. Why not take a pill? Obviously these are bad “methods.” ???

I’m not beating up on anyone with this thread…I just really am not understanding???

 

[whatevergirl]

I’ve heard the complaints about monitoring fertility and how it’s gross or too inconvenient…

I guess brushing your teeth, wiping your backside, planning an anniversary date, shaving your legs, scheduling around work, school and kids, etc, is just as horrible, right?

I mean, are these true concerns, or is there a deeper issue not being expressed?

I hate having to wake up every morning and comb my hair, get dressed… gasp I have to make sure I get to school and work on time… Trying to feel my stomach grumble and watching what and when I eat is soooooo hard and uncomfortable. Why not take a pill? Obviously these are bad “methods.” ???

I’m not beating up on anyone with this thread…I just really am not understanding???

In a nutshell, what you don’t know, you don’t know. I’m learning this for the first time…I have been brushing my teeth, combing my hair, and the rest of what you mentioned my whole life…once I get this down, it will be easier for me to grasp. I hope that helps you understand where people like me are coming from.

 

[hasikelee]

In a nutshell, what you don’t know, you don’t know. I’m learning this for the first time…I have been brushing my teeth, combing my hair, and the rest of what you mentioned my whole life…once I get this down, it will be easier for me to grasp. I hope that helps you understand where people like me are coming from.

I think I see what you are saying…in other words, there are those who listen to the “enthusiastic” people and then have their built up expectations crashed…

??? I think this is it???

Have you visited hormonalforcaster.org BTW

 

[whatevergirl]

I think I see what you are saying…in other words, there are those who listen to the “enthusiastic” people and then have their built up expectations crashed…

??? I think this is it???

Have you visited hormonalforcaster.org BTW

Well, for my dh and me, we just followed the calendar method (standard days) in the beginning of our marriage, and then I went on the pill–then, realizing we were sinning. I will say though I went off the pill earlier–a few years ago–for religious reasons, and went back on it for medicinal reasons, and not for birth control. Either way–it’s better to be off it altogether–no ifs ands or buts! Now, after nearly 7 months of being pill free–and through deep prayer, we are following NFP–and I had absolutely no idea there were mucus methods, etc…it is like a new world open to me. I always considered myself a devout Catholic, however–perhaps ignorant when it comes to the bedroom. I had a major revelation last year about this, and both my husband and I are now on the road to doing things the right way. I don’t know how others feel-I notice many mixed emotions threads on here about NFP, in general. So far, we have grown closer, hopefully, it will continue this way. But, we were following a conservative standards day method, until I really started learning about Creighton.

Thank you for the link–I’ll check it out!!!

 

[hasikelee]

Well, for my dh and me, we just followed the calendar method (standard days) in the beginning of our marriage, and then I went on the pill–then, realizing we were sinning. I will say though I went off the pill earlier–a few years ago–for religious reasons, and went back on it for medicinal reasons, and not for birth control. Either way–it’s better to be off it altogether–no ifs ands or buts! Now, after nearly 7 months of being pill free–and through deep prayer, we are following NFP–and I had absolutely no idea there were mucus methods, etc…it is like a new world open to me. I always considered myself a devout Catholic, however–perhaps ignorant when it comes to the bedroom. I had a major revelation last year about this, and both my husband and I are now on the road to doing things the right way. I don’t know how others feel-I notice many mixed emotions threads on here about NFP, in general. So far, we have grown closer, hopefully, it will continue this way. But, we were following a conservative standards day method, until I really started learning about Creighton.

Thank you for the link–I’ll check it out!!!

Wow, it’s so nice to hear from someone personally like this, I really appreciate it.

Do you think using the pill fostered that unawareness? I’ve always wondered if this is true. It seems many of the girls I know are very unaware of their body. I always thought it was odd…but now that I think about it…the pill is a very powerful HRT so these girls must not even have normal signs and body functions.

Am I far off?

It’s really great to hear that your DH is shoulder to shoulder with you. I have heard sad storied by others on CAF about a spouse that isn’t supportive. You guys must be having quite a rejuvenation!

 

[whatevergirl]

Wow, it’s so nice to hear from someone personally like this, I really appreciate it.

Do you think using the pill fostered that unawareness? I’ve always wondered if this is true. It seems many of the girls I know are very unaware of their body. I always thought it was odd…but now that I think about it…the pill is a very powerful HRT so these girls must not even have normal signs and body functions.

Am I far off?

It’s really great to hear that your DH is shoulder to shoulder with you. I have heard sad storied by others on CAF about a spouse that isn’t supportive. You guys must be having quite a rejuvenation!

hi hasikelee;

Yes–you could say that–a rejuventation. At first, about 2 months ago, when this was all coming to ‘light’ for me, my husband seemed opposed. Shocked, surprised, angry even. Being on the pill, even though we were not using it for birth control as a primary purpose in the last two years of me being on it–it still served as a crutch for us, because it caused him to never have to really be responsible for our fertility–and we also believed doctors telling us how ‘healthy’ the pill is for women. Hmm…let’s see, I was having chronic migraines, unexplained fatigue, mood swings…it was really rough on my system, over the last two years especially. Since being free of it–no more migraines, and dh doesn’t even know when it’s ‘that time.’ Yes, surprising! Pleasantly, of course. haha I will say that you are right–taking oral contraception really paralyzes a couple’s closeness, in the way that there is something left out of the martial embrace. I’m grateful to have found this board, because largely, it is why my husband and I are now on the cusp of following Creighton. (I never even HEARD of Creighton in my life before coming to this board!!)

So, there’s my story.

 

[hasikelee]

hi hasikelee;

Yes–you could say that–a rejuventation. At first, about 2 months ago, when this was all coming to ‘light’ for me, my husband seemed opposed. Shocked, surprised, angry even. Being on the pill, even though we were not using it for birth control as a primary purpose in the last two years of me being on it–it still served as a crutch for us, because it caused him to never have to really be responsible for our fertility–and we also believed doctors telling us how ‘healthy’ the pill is for women. Hmm…let’s see, I was having chronic migraines, unexplained fatigue, mood swings…it was really rough on my system, over the last two years especially. Since being free of it–no more migraines, and dh doesn’t even know when it’s ‘that time.’ Yes, surprising! Pleasantly, of course. haha I will say that you are right–taking oral contraception really paralyzes a couple’s closeness, in the way that there is something left out of the martial embrace. I’m grateful to have found this board, because largely, it is why my husband and I are now on the cusp of following Creighton. (I never even HEARD of Creighton in my life before coming to this board!!)

So, there’s my story.

An inspiring and candid story! I hope you want to look more into Creighton. Although I’m a bit biased over that method.

 

[whatevergirl]

An inspiring and candid story! I hope you want to look more into Creighton. Although I’m a bit biased over that method.

Yes, my hubby votes for Creighton too I showed him some sites yesterday, and this thread…and he said that seems to be the most reliable method. Why are you biased?

 

[hasikelee]

Yes, my hubby votes for Creighton too I showed him some sites yesterday, and this thread…and he said that seems to be the most reliable method. Why are you biased?

Ironically, for that carnal feeling. It seems more in touch with my body…to investigate right then and there. Taking temps or charting feels to me as if I am relying on equations and machinery. If I accidentally take it the wrong time or way, or miss a day, I can throw myself off. Whereas all it takes with Creighton is trip to the bathroom, lol! I think you can see by now I’m not a lover of paperwork, accounting, engineering and to-do lists.

I do use the hormonalforecaster to keep an eye on my moods, pains, general outlook and I believe monitoring should be whichever way is comfortable. The little calculator that shows you the milestones of your “future” kid is really cute, too.

 

[hasikelee]

Let me add for those who are perhaps lurking and learning…that I am not worrying about conceiving and that I am not fully practising the Creighton method.

I don’t want to give anyone strange ideas.

 

[whatevergirl]

Ironically, for that carnal feeling. It seems more in touch with my body…to investigate right then and there. Taking temps or charting feels to me as if I am relying on equations and machinery. If I accidentally take it the wrong time or way, or miss a day, I can throw myself off. Whereas all it takes with Creighton is trip to the bathroom, lol! I think you can see by now I’m not a lover of paperwork, accounting, engineering and to-do lists.

I do use the hormonalforecaster to keep an eye on my moods, pains, general outlook and I believe monitoring should be whichever way is comfortable. The little calculator that shows you the milestones of your “future” kid is really cute, too.

I agree! At first, Creighton seemed…I dunno…difficult, but really, it is the easiest and most reliable of the bunch. I visited a website last night, can’t recall the name–but it said that during your cycle, start jotting down mood changes, libido changes, etc…and that’s most likely when you’re gearing up for ovulation (or smack dab in the middle of it) It really was eye opening to me…my husband and I both read that yesterday and said…‘how did we pass health?’ Nice chatting with you hasikelee–I hope you won’t mind me pm-ing you now and again with questions? If/when I have them…?

 

[hasikelee]

I agree! At first, Creighton seemed…I dunno…difficult, but really, it is the easiest and most reliable of the bunch. I visited a website last night, can’t recall the name–but it said that during your cycle, start jotting down mood changes, libido changes, etc…and that’s most likely when you’re gearing up for ovulation (or smack dab in the middle of it) It really was eye opening to me…my husband and I both read that yesterday and said…‘how did we pass health?’ Nice chatting with you hasikelee–I hope you won’t mind me pm-ing you now and again with questions? If/when I have them…?

Yeah, PM anytime! It looks like I found a creighton girl.