What if my job prevents me from using NFP?

[ryroz08]

I have heard a lot about birth control and that it is wrong. I am going through the RCIA process and have been married to a Catholic for one year now. My husband and I are so excited to start a family but we are waiting for a few things first. With our jobs (we are both currently paramedics with very difficult hours and not a lot of pay to show for it), I find it hard to not be on some type of birth control.

I have heard Natural Family Planning as an option, and I was very excited to try this method without medication that altered hormones and such. But when I found out that NFP was dependent on being able to take your base temperature every morning at the same time, after you have been laying down for at least three hours, assuming that all people get to sleep laying down or at all every night. This would be impossible for me because of my job; and, when I work, I work 24 hours at a time and there is no guarantee that I am going to be able to take my temperature at the same time, or that I will have been laying down for three hours prior. Or have slept at that.

Is there anyone that can give advice to me on what we should do? I do not like having to use chemical birth control every month, but UI dont see what choice I have.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

I urge you to contact the Couple to Couple League for assistance in practicing NFP in the most correct manner possible. It is possible that you do not have complete or accurate information on what you must do to successfully practice NFP.

If you absolutely cannot risk becoming pregnant, then the only other option you have is to abstain from marital relations entirely. This is no doubt difficult, but it could act as the inspiration you and your husband need to get your lives in order as quickly as is possible, so that you can start your family as soon as is reasonably possible.