Toni Weschler - Taking Charge of Your Fertility

[Carjack1]

For those of you who were following my struggles, I would like to apologize for being a Pain. So when someone calls me names and makes rude accusations, I am going to just do this :hug1: to avoid arguing or uncharity. But does anybody practice what this book stated(if read)? Was it successful as far as avoiding pregnancy? I finally got my husband to agree with NFP. Was there something that was confusing? Advice would be greatly aprreciated. Thank You

 

[kage_ar]

From what I understand, this book does suggest some practices for use during the fertile phase that are against Catholic moral teaching (using condoms, etc.).

Aside from those problematic portions, it comes highly reccomended.

 

[MannaG]

From what I understand, this book does suggest some practices for use during the fertile phase that are against Catholic moral teaching (using condoms, etc.).

Aside from those problematic portions, it comes highly reccomended.

Ditto… if you just replace the parts that say to use an “alternate form of birth control” with practicing abstinence, it is a great book! I used it to teach myself NFP since DH and I were not able to attend a class, and it was very detailed and easy to understand.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

**I used this book to self teach as well! Like the others stated, ignore the parts that contradict our faith (using contraception during fertile times) and the rest of the book is excellent! Once you conquer that one you could always take a class (in person or ordered online). **

 

[kevinsgirl]

Use it and highly recommend it. As pp’s have said, not everything in there is in accord with church teaching, but it I found it was easier to understand than the NFP book. Also, I love the software (you can get a trial version online) and the online support is awesome (you can show people your charts and get a lot of great (name removed by moderator)ut).

And that’s awesome your husband is on board! :extrahappy:

 

[ChristinaM]

I have read this book to help my knowledge of NFP and to supplement the Billings method classes I have taken. I practice the Billings method, which is mucus-only, so I follow those rules instead. I can tell you that I found the book very easy to read and understand, and it has many sample charts which help you see how women’s cycles vary.

She does say that barrier methods of contraception would be acceptable during fertile times, but even then she recommends abstinence as a better, more reliable way of practicing the method. Also, I’m not sure of the exact wording but I remember one part where she recommends “alternatives” to complete intercourse, implying oral or manual stimulation to orgasm outside of the context of PIV sex. This would not be acceptable for Catholics either.

Otherwise the book is very good, especially for a non-religious person who would otherwise be skeptical of NFP.

 

[Carjack1]

Use it and highly recommend it. As pp’s have said, not everything in there is in accord with church teaching, but it I found it was easier to understand than the NFP book. Also, I love the software (you can get a trial version online) and the online support is awesome (you can show people your charts and get a lot of great (name removed by moderator)ut).

And that’s awesome your husband is on board! :extrahappy:

Thank you for rejoicing with me :extrahappy:

 

[gettingthere]

I used this book to learn fertility awareness before we decided to learn more about Catholicism (and before we decided to become Catholic).

I also use the software that came with the book (it’s a one time fee of $40 to use the software after the trial runs out) because I found it to be more accurate than other online charting things, and it is also easier for me to use than paper charts.

Like others have said, there are not in line with the Church’s teaching, but you shouldn’t expect it to be, as it is not a Catholic book.

 

[Good_Daughter]

Okay Carjack1, I’m going to try not to be jealous that your husband is on board while mine is, well, let’s just say, skeptical.

I bought the Couple To Couple League’s Home Study manual which is excellent, but so huge and daunting when you’re trying to get through it alone. TCOYF was a much better book for me to start with. I would reccomend a “Catholocized” version of Weschler’s method to anyone with a serious need for fertility awareness.

I still refer to my CCL manual fairly often as they go into a bit more depth on some topics than Weschler is able to in her relatively short book. When I was having a hard time figuring out my ambiguous cervical mucous, Marilyn Shannon’s Fertility Cycles & Nutrition made a great companion to TCOYF.

I prefer Weschler’s charts (from the back of the book, I just photocopy them like she suggests) over any others.

 

[Carjack1]

Okay Carjack1, I’m going to try not to be jealous that your husband is on board while mine is, well, let’s just say, skeptical. :hug3: He’ll come around. My husband is a flat out athiest and he agreed after hearing my GYN. Speaking to others, I was blessed because I hear that a lot of GYNs like to push their agenda on others. I was really praying and God answered me(God can really give miracles, because my husband was bent on the “NFP is Catholic mythology” LOL

I bought the Couple To Couple League’s Home Study manual which is excellent, but so huge and daunting when you’re trying to get through it alone. TCOYF was a much better book for me to start with. I would reccomend a “Catholocized” version of Weschler’s method to anyone with a serious need for fertility awareness.

I still refer to my CCL manual fairly often as they go into a bit more depth on some topics than Weschler is able to in her relatively short book. When I was having a hard time figuring out my ambiguous cervical mucous, Marilyn Shannon’s Fertility Cycles & Nutrition Thank you for the reference made a great companion to TCOYF.

I prefer Weschler’s charts (from the back of the book, I just photocopy them like she suggests) over any others.

My only question is, how do NFP work in cases of people with PCOS? Is there anyting extra to do? Is the mucous off? Any info will be helpful

 

[gardenswithkids]

…My husband is a flat out athiest and he agreed after hearing my GYN. Speaking to others, I was blessed because I hear that a lot of GYNs like to push their agenda on others. I was really praying and God answered me(God can really give miracles, because my husband was bent on the “NFP is Catholic mythology” LOL…

That’s really great news. I’m happy for you. God’s amazing!

 

[Carjack1]

gardenswithkids:
That’s really great news. I’m happy for you. God’s amazing!

Thank you

 

[1ke]

I’ve read Weschler’s book and it’s excellent (except for the barrier method stuff, which… not even looking at it from a moral perspective… I personally think she’s crazy for recommending when you KNOW you are fertile!)

Anyway, I learned Creighton.

If you have PCOS I highly recommend you look into taking a Creighton class. They have instructions that can work with your PCOS and the mucus issues you may have. And, also, if you have trouble conceiving when you decide you want a child, you can consult with Dr. Hilger’s or someone trained in his method. He created the Creighton Method and he’ll want to see Creighton chart history if you consult with him for infertility.

Anway, just some things to think about.

 

[kind_bean]

I also used this book to help me, because I brought the NFP book but had trouble understanding it (and I couldn’t go to classes). I just happened upon this book in the store and firmly believe it was God send. I was able to understand everything so much better. I photocopy the graph in the back of the book and keep them in a 3 ring binder. It was successful in avoiding pregnancy. This book was also helpful for me while I was breastfeeding (although the chapter was short, it provided enough information, and I didn’t have an unplanned pregnancy while breastfeeding).

As everyone else said, ignore the things that go against the Catholic faith (everyone else already pointed them out), and everything else is great. I didn’t find too much confusing, and usually just re-reading it was sufficient, but I believe you can ask questions on her website (I have also seen her answering questions on other sites, possibly fertility sites?).

Also, my cycles are long and somewhat irregular (anywhere from 33-48 days) and I have never had a problem with figuring out my fertile time. I initially tried to take my temps, but due to irregular sleeping patterns, that made it difficult, so now I rely mostly on mucus, and to a lesser extent, cervix position.

I am happy that your husband has agreed to practice NFP and I hope that this book will help you. (I am always recommending it to people, whether they are looking to avoid or try to get pregnant).

KB