Post Partum NFP

[Called2Grace]

Hi,

I know that I am jumping the gun a bit and should really be relaxing, but I'm a little concerned about post partum NFP. Is there anyone who has experience/knowledge in this area?

I have pretty easy to read signs and find NFP normally very achievable. (Even though we weren't actively TTC, we knew at the time that we would concieve!)
DH likes to space children and I don't even know if he is open to any more children yet! So it is really important that I get it right. - For those that don't know, my hubby isn't a Catholic, or even a Christian, which means that he doesn't quite see things the same we that I do.

I normally use a mixture of BBT, and various other signs, so any tips would be greatly apreciated!

 

[~Nikki~]

After I had ds, I didn't bother to take my temperature or anything because we'd decided not to use any form of bc, not even NFP.

But...having said that, I remember going to my husband one day and saying 'I reckon AF will be here in two weeks', and I was spot on! I had a text book style patch of fertile CM, and knew that AF was on the way.

For me it was as easy as anything to notice...

 

[Assisi]

I think now is a great time to be thinking about postpartum NFP. If you wait til you're not pregnant any more it could be too late.

I've never carried to term and breastfed, but after I lost my first it took about three or four months (I think, it's hard to remember exactly) for my fertility to return. I found it easy to identify. What happened to me was that first I got back my period and had anovulatory irregular cycles. I could tell they were anovulatory because of the quality of my mucous but I still had a little LH surge. The first month I was fertile again there was a real difference in the mucous during the LH surge, it was also the first month we were allowed to try and we conceived that month. Oh, and before my period returned I was just dry dry dry, every day. I've never temped so I don't know what my temps were doing in this time.

Honestly, I would abstain even during an anovulatory cycle during a time of any mucous just in case.

Are you planning to take a 'refresher course' to help you? Also, I've read that you should do early day rules before your period returns, but we're going to take a refresher course.

 

[Called2Grace]

Well see, I've never technically taken a course.....(gasp!) I've sort of had to do it on my own since DH doesn't really want to know about it, well he is ok with us doing it, but would prefer not to be involved in the learning of it!

 

[angelsgirl]

That doesn't mean that you can't go and take a course!!!

I think a refresher is a good idea... I should look into that!!!

 

[Assisi]

My SIL recently had a talk at her place on the Central Coast about the Creighton Method (which apparently is really awesome, though Billings works great for us so I didn't bother). I can ask her who did it for her and see if that person can come up to Newcastle to do one for you guys if you're interested.

 

[Leanna]

We plan to use this method as well-- cervical mucus and BBT. Last time we had issue because the first cycle when fertility returns is tricky and it was many months after I stopped breastfeeding and I still didn't get a cycle, well I got pregnant right away when I ovulated which was surprising since we were 6 days before ovulation by my reckoning (and its still a boy!?). Doh. Well this time I am hoping the return is a little clearer and then we will probably abstain the whole first cycle because I can't be pregnant again right away or my body is going to rebel.

 

[angelsgirl]

My SIL recently had a talk at her place on the Central Coast about the Creighton Method (which apparently is really awesome, though Billings works great for us so I didn't bother). I can ask her who did it for her and see if that person can come up to Newcastle to do one for you guys if you're interested.

What is the difference between the two methods?

That could be interesting... I'm not sure if Billings will work for us...
I don't know what happened before... but i really want some form of NFP to work for us!!!

 

[Assisi]

What is the difference between the two methods?

That could be interesting... I'm not sure if Billings will work for us...
I don't know what happened before... but i really want some form of NFP to work for us!!!

I think you need to take your chart for that month to an instructor and ask. Your cycles are regular, and according to your due date you ovulated on exactly the day you usually do, so I think you should find out what happened that month.
Lol, let me just be bossy.

Creighton is about mucous, but it is more detailed. I don't know if you use temp as well in that method. There is also the sympto-thermal method which I know does use temp. And I know they teach that at the Centacare at Gosford.

 

[angelsgirl]

I think you need to take your chart for that month to an instructor and ask. Your cycles are regular, and according to your due date you ovulated on exactly the day you usually do, so I think you should find out what happened that month.
Lol, let me just be bossy.

Creighton is about mucous, but it is more detailed. I don't know if you use temp as well in that method. There is also the sympto-thermal method which I know does use temp. And I know they teach that at the Centacare at Gosford.

yeah i should take my chart... just a matter of finding it. With all the cleaning and unpacking i think it has gone walkabouts...
I will have to have a good look!!!

I don't think i want to use a method where i have to take my temp... i don't have regular sleeping patterns...

 

[Assisi]

I don't think i want to use a method where i have to take my temp... i don't have regular sleeping patterns...

And I would forget to take it. I know I would.
Plus, what new mother can take her temp every morning at the same time after at least 4 hours sleep. Seriously, I've never understood how nursing mothers use this method. But it must work. My mum used it effectively post-partum...

ETA: it must work for some. It wouldn't work for me.

 

[Leanna]

And I would forget to take it. I know I would.
Plus, what new mother can take her temp every morning at the same time after at least 4 hours sleep. Seriously, I've never understood how nursing mothers use this method. But it must work. My mum used it effectively post-partum...

We don't cosleep and so far both of my babies have slept through the night by the time my cycles return. I definitely have regular sleeping patterns because if I don't get to sleep on time I regret it and I am woken at about the same time every morning by one child or the other. So taking the temperature isn't a problem for me.

 

[Assisi]

We don't cosleep and so far both of my babies have slept through the night by the time my cycles return. I definitely have regular sleeping patterns because if I don't get to sleep on time I regret it and I am woken at about the same time every morning by one child or the other. So taking the temperature isn't a problem for me.

Awesome. I thought of this just as I finished posting, so I edited.

 

[Called2Grace]

Well I don't use a lot of temping or actually recording of info, I just generally note the signs that I have.

I should do a course. Would I be the only one their without their spouse?

 

[angelsgirl]

When we went for lessons it was one on one... so that shouldn't be an issue for you.

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

I was taking my temp, but I've been slack - because I'm still post-partum and not expecting AF back for a few more months... But I would like to see it coming! Zekey is sleeping through mostly now so it wouldn't be too hard...

I have never thought about taking a class, I may ask my maternal child health nurse next time I see her... how much do they usually cost?

 

[Called2Grace]

I think from what I have read they don't cost that much here. I may even be able to organise something through the chaplaincy centre at uni. (which by the way has moved from my side of campus to the other side! How rude!!)
I think I need to be cautious about who I tell that we are using NFP, as most health care providers are very pro more conventional methods of birth control. I remember when DD was 2 days old them asking me about birth control, as far as I was concerned at that stage it was never going to happen again Then when I mentioned that we would use condoms (prior to becoming catholic) she tried to pressure me into getting a script for the BCP.
Those attitudes seem to be at the baby health clinic too, but where I am due to the lack of available services, I need to take what I can get.

 

[Assisi]

My course at Centacare was just my husband and me, we had three meetings with the instructor over about 6 months (but you can do it quicker than that) and it cost $50. They give you charting material (stickers and a chart and a booklet explaining), and you go back at the end of your first month charting and they review your chart so they can tell you detailed information about your cycle. I have irregular cycles so that was especially useful for me. The instructor will teach you how to identify whether or not you've 'peaked' and how to stick to the method properly.

You can look up Centacare under 'Catholic' in the white pages.

 

[Assisi]

I think from what I have read they don't cost that much here. I may even be able to organise something through the chaplaincy centre at uni. (which by the way has moved from my side of campus to the other side! How rude!!)

I noticed that the other day, it's now in the Ritchie room. Back in that day the Ritchie room was just full of couches and we used to sleep in there. My how times have changed.

I think I need to be cautious about who I tell that we are using NFP, as most health care providers are very pro more conventional methods of birth control. I remember when DD was 2 days old them asking me about birth control, as far as I was concerned at that stage it was never going to happen again Then when I mentioned that we would use condoms (prior to becoming catholic) she tried to pressure me into getting a script for the BCP.
Those attitudes seem to be at the baby health clinic too, but where I am due to the lack of available services, I need to take what I can get.

A friend of mine had a similar experience after the birth of her first child. She said they'd use Billings and was pressured to take a script for BCP.

 

[angelsgirl]

Oh joy... i have that to look forward to.
Why can't people just accept you decisions, even if they don't agree with them?
There is no way i will ever go back onto the pill. It really stuffs me and my body up.