Which nfp method is best?

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I was wondering how many of you chose which method of nfp to use. there seems to be a few…sympto-thermal, creighton, billings, etc. Is there a difference really between them or are they just different ways of approaching the same thing? From research so far I’ve only seen the latter to be true pretty much, but I could be wrong. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks! 🙂
 
My cycles are very regular, so I do all three signs, with a little less emphasis on the temps. My mucus/cervical sign are very easy to follow. But if something happens with my mucus or cervix I am not sure of, I’ve got the temps to back me up. In my opinion if you want to be totally sure, try the Sympto-thermal with all three fertility signs. Although the other two methods are completely usable alone, it’s easier to ride a trike than a bike to begin!
 
I use sympto-thermal with more of a reliance on temps. My mucus patterns are hard for me to read.
 
We use sympto-thermal though I only rely on two of the signs (temp and mucus, not cervix.) I’m interested in learning the Creighton method though and have heard that method makes it easier to identify your mucus patterns. We’ll probably learn more about that method as a “refresher” after our first child.

From my understanding, symto-thermal combines three fertility signs while Billings and Creighton go more in-depth into one of the fertility signs, the mucus observations. I don’t think it would really make a difference which method you learn; just learn one you feel most comfortable with.
 
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Celia:
I was wondering how many of you chose which method of nfp to use. there seems to be a few…sympto-thermal, creighton, billings, etc. Is there a difference really between them or are they just different ways of approaching the same thing? From research so far I’ve only seen the latter to be true pretty much, but I could be wrong. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks! 🙂
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The three signs of fertility are temperature shift at ovulation, cervical mucus before, during, and after ovulation, and the position of the cervix before, during, and after ovulation.

Each method uses one or more of these signs in tracking and observing the fertile and infertile phases.

Sympto-thermal uses all three signs and it taught through the couple to couple league. It is probably the predominant method taught in parish/diocesan NFP courses.

Creighton uses external observation of mucus only. It was developed by Dr. Hilgers and others at Creighton University based on the Drs. Billings’ work.

Billings, from my understanding, uses internal obeservation of mucus and cervical position. The Drs. Billings (husband and wife team) pioneered the modern method of NFP in Australia.

I am currently learning Creighton and really love it. It is very easy to learn and use. The methods are all essentially equivalent in effectiveness, however individual women may find one or another more compatible with her lifestyle or easier to interpret with their particular signs.

For example, sympto-thermal requires taking the temp at the same time every day with a certain amount of consecutive sleep hours which may be hard for nursing mothers, women who are frequent travellers or shift workers. I find the temp thing to be annoying, and prefer the mucus only method. Creighton also goes in to much more detail on the mucus, which is helpful to me.

Some methods may be better for nursing mothers, pre-menopausal women, women with infertility issues, etc.
 
Thank you for your responses. So far I think I am most interested in the Creighton method, It seems to be the least confusing to me. The temperature thing would be a problem for me as I sometimes work odd hours and don’t get the same amount of sleep. Plus I don’t know if I could be trusted to remember to take my temp every morning anyway. (when I used to be on the pill…before I learned what it REALLY is…I was awful at remembering to take it at the same time every day.) :o But if sympto thermal is best that’s what I’ll use…I don’t know. :whacky:
 
I use the sympto-thermal method. I do not know what the other methods use. For the amount of years I’ve been using this method I have relied on different signs. My body is not always consisitant, not talking about irregular cycles but how diet , exercise, stress and other influences effect the cycles signs, so I like to have lots of data to back up my decision.

Peace,
Jen
 
My wife and I use sympto-thermal. The advantage to learning this is that it offers you the most flexibility in how you practice NFP over various times in your life. At times you may just want to have a basic awareness or at times you may have a life and death need to avoid pregnancy and you can adjust how you use the method accordingly. Since, you understand how everything works together (all of the ‘rules’ fit on the front and back of an index card) you understand what the different signs are and benefit you in terms of knowledge.

CCL’s sympto-thermal class will give you an excellent resource that covers many special situations that you may encounter and will provide for ways to deal with them as well as access to counseling or refresher courses as needed (free to members–plus you get a pretty cool magazine).

My understanding that the mucus only methods restrict themselves to external mucus only. After learning a CCL class you could use external mucus only but would not have some of the flexibilities of someone who is using the sympto-thermal cross-check.

My Two Cents

Under the Mercy,

Matthew
 
Not intending to be disrespectful, but I wonder how many Catholic couples really do practice NFP and how many think “God will turn a blind eye just this once” if they use another type of birth control
 
I used external mucus only signs for a while and found it easy and reliable…We had another baby (knew he was gonna happen because we knew I was fertile!) and now we are being very strict with NFP–we do temps, cervical observation, mucas observation PLUS use ovulation predictor kits. I (personally) feel we could be as cautious relying on the mucus only, but my dh likes to cross-check everything so I do it for him. That’s how it’s supposed to be–the couple works together. Someday we may throw caution to the wind and try for #6!
 
I was wondering if anyone can give me a good website or place I can look to for information on NFP. My husband and I are preparing to convalidate our civil union. We are gonna go through how an engaged couple would and have to meet with him five more times which would put our wedding in August. At the moment we have decided to make a sacrafice and live as brother and sister. I think this will help us grow closer as a couple and gives us an oppurtunity to explore other ways of showing our love for one another. I wont be starting the NFP method till after the wedding, but I just wanted to study about it ahead of time to see how it works.

Thanks, Kerri
 
Kerri, here is the link to the Couple to Couple League
ccli.org/

You are wise to learn about NFP before the wedding. I would also recommend practicing it for a while before your wedding as it may take a few months to really catch on to your body’s cycles. You will be amazed at what you learn! Good Luck, and God Bless!!
 
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legeorge:
I would also recommend practicing it for a while before your wedding as it may take a few months to really catch on to your body’s cycles.!!
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I don’t think Lori means “practicing” practicing it–but practicing getting used to your signs!
 
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st_felicity:
I don’t think Lori means “practicing” practicing it–but practicing getting used to your signs!
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Oh yes, you are absolutely right! :o I didn’t think anything of it when I wrote that. OOPS!! 😃
 
Lately I’m having a problem with anyone getting back to me. I’ve been to the ccli website, and tons others, but whenever i send an e-mail to a teacher nothing comes of it. Of the two ccli teaching couples in my area, one never answered and the other said she would get back to me and never did.I sent another e-mail, this one wasn’t responded to at all. I’d feel like I was bothering them if I kept sending them questions about classes, etc.

The one crieghton method teacher is way out of my area by about 3 hrs but the closest in my state…she also sent an e-mail, said she would get back to me, that was oh almost two weeks ago.

I bought the book by the Kippley’s on the sympto-thermal method, and a basal thermometer, and think I might just start trying to teach myself. I’d really like to learn as soon as possible because my husband and I are abstaining till I learn nfp. (he’s not catholic, he’s just doing it for me) he’s a good guy, a wonderful guy, but I think he’s getting frustrated because we are making zero progress on the whole natural family planning front.

My church also has no affiliation with classes or anything, by the way. I feel like I’m at a dead end here…
 
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