For Those Who Practice NFP

[karla]

For about the past year or so I have been thinking a lot about Natural Family Planning. When I look at my life and relate it to the church I see that that is the one area in which I am not living the way it was intended. My husband and I have talked about it periodically, but I need more information. Does anyone know where I can get more information about NFP and how it works. I have a general idea, but I guess I am looking for the "how-to". For those of you who practice NFP how effective has it been? Thanks in advance for all your responses

 

[Avila]

http://www.ccli.org

For a book, check out "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wechsler. It is not an "NFP" book, per se, but it offers great information about charting, cycles, and how to use it as NFP (also how to use it as a quasi-NFP and how to achieve pregnancy as well).

Effectiveness? My husband and I have been using it for 5 years now, and have 2 beautiful boys to show for it. The months that those 2 were concieved, we didn't practice it faithfully (not disciplined in temperature taking, checking fertility signs, etc), and we aren't unhappy at all - it was just that God's timing was a little ahead of our own. As soon as I recover from the birth of this second baby, we will resume our charting.

 

[Preachers12]

Karla, Peace be with you.

I agree with what Avila posted. Think about taking a class too. Or ordering a video. The link she provided should help.

The most difficult part of it is the discipline. It really takes teamwork and communication.

Just as an aside, there is an interesting statistic on the divorce rate of those couples practicing NFP. It is significantly lower than those not using NFP (I think it is under 10%). Not to say that is a reason to use it, but it shows, in my opinion, how it is a teamwork job and increases communication between husband and wife. That teamwork and communication pays off even more after the children come along!

On a personal side, it also adds something so special to love making. I can't really describe it, but when you are with that person with whom you have pledged your life and you, together, place yourselves in God's hands, the intensity and completeness of the experience is like nothing you can experience on earth.

God Bless and stay safe.

 

[panterapat]

Karla,

 

It was tough for me at first (the husband) but as I grew spiritually I realized that NFP is a wonderful thing which promotes mutual respect and trust in God. 

Used correctly, NFP is about 98% effective. Of course, this presupposes that you are abstaining on the furtile days.

NFP begins with the mind-set that one is open to life should that occur. History (and studies) show us that the contraception mentality led derectly to the abortion mentality which led to the euthanasia mentality. It is a down-ward spiral. NFP respects life and God's role in our family size.

In Christ, Patrick

 

[karla]

Thanks to all you of you for your helpand advice. I have tip toed around the topic with my husband a few months back. He is just worried that it will not be effective - but then again no form of contraception is 100%! I am calling my parish today to get the number of a couple that holds classes and to find out when that next class is. Tonight TIm and I are going to have a serious discussion about it and I pray that God is with us during this discussion. It's time we lay it down at the Lord's feet to help us. Thanks again to all of you!

God Bless,
Karla

 

[Avila]

May your conversation be blessed!

 

[panterapat]

Karla,

This is a post I wrote some time ago about NFP.

A vast majority of American Catholics are either ignorant of, or choose to disregard the Church's teaching on birth control. Birth control is considered to be a serious sin.

The congegal love of a married couple contains two essential aspects. There is the UNITIVE aspect which comes about through mutual enjoyment, a life lived together, respect and love for each other etc. The PROCREATIVE aspect of the mariage act is coupled to the unitive. It is the unitive that attracts us to the act. The two aspects of a holy union must never be uncoupled. Remaining open to the possibility of life is allowing God to determine your future.

Sex is sacred. Through our power to procreate, we share in God's gift of life. This gift of life is a blessed thing. We cooperate with God in order to create a soul for all eternity. At conception, a unique child of God is created for an eternal destiny.

Through the uncoupling of the two essential aspects, we frustrate God's plan. Thus the act of sex has become distorted. This has led to all sort of sexual sins. The great expansion of contraception has led directly to the great increase in abortions. Many contraceptives prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg thus is actually causing an abortion.

There are ways to NATURALLY help control family size (cmbbt is about 98 % effective). The difference is that the POSSIBILITY of God's intervention in there. The couple is OPEN to God's determination of their family size.

It is a wonderful feeling to turn away from the contraception mentality and allow God to have the final say. It takes an act of courage and an act of faith.

Remember the Words of God the Father, "Go and multiply." May our Lord bless you and guide your every step!

In Christ, Patrick

 

[karla]

Thanks again for all the information and prayers. MY husband I had a long talk about things this weekend and we are looking into NFP. We are going to meet with a couple later this month. I am really excited about this. I am sure it will open up our marriage even more. Thanks so much to all of you.

 

[nyj]

karla said this in Post <a href="http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=644345#post644345">#8</a>

Thanks again for all the information and prayers. MY husband I had a long talk about things this weekend and we are looking into NFP. We are going to meet with a couple later this month. I am really excited about this. I am sure it will open up our marriage even more. Thanks so much to all of you.

Congratulations. Both of you will be richly blessed by this decision.