Natural Family Planning

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a natural method of achieving or postponing a pregnancy requiring no drugs, devices or operations of any kind Natural Family Planning is sound, scientific, and based on the biological reality that a woman is infertile during the major part of the reproductive phase of her life. With proper instruction, it is possible to recognize days of fertility and days of infertility in each cycle.

This fertility awareness can be applied to all variations of a woman's reproductive life including irregular cycles, breast-feeding, menopause and low fertility. NFP is true family planning. NFP promotes openness to the transmission of human life and recognizes the value of children. Sexual relations are understood as love-giving as well as life-giving. Because NFP respects this two-fold nature of sexual intercourse, it enrich the bond between husband and wife.

Natural Family Planning is not calendar rhythm. The "rhythm method" was developed in the 1930s and tried mathematically to determine the probable time of ovulation for the average woman. It did not account for individual differences. Modern advances in the science of natural family planning make it possible to profile each woman's individual cycles.

Natural Family Planning is not a contraceptive. Whatever the length of the fertile phase, no barriers or chemicals are used at any time of the cycle. It does nothing to suppress or block conception. Instead, couples adjust their behavior according to their family planning intention using the natural occurring signs and symptoms of a woman's cycle.

Effectiveness of Natural Family Planning

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a recently completed World Health Organization study indicate that the natural methods have a 98-99 percent effectiveness rate.

With proper teaching, cooperation and motivation, NFP is as effective as any other family planning method and more effective than most.

Methods of Natural Family Planning Taught:

• Ovulation Method: Days of possible fertility and days of infertility are defined by a woman after she has been instructed in the interpretation of mucus secretions which accompany ovulation.
• Sympto-Thermal Method: Days of possible fertility are defined by the combination of symptoms including mucus observations and the use of basal body temperature. Basal body temperature indicates a rise in temperature occurring at the time of ovulation as a result of the elevated progesterone level.

For further information:

• Holy Family Parish NFP Teachers - Leo and Toni Doty at (330) 689-0632
• Akron NFP Center - David and Karen Kennedy at (330) 253-8994
• Diocese of Cleveland, Department for Marriage and Family Ministry, Rose Jacobs at (216) 334-2973 or [email protected]