Natural Family Planning

      




More and more people are looking for natural ways to aid conception these days. Many are not willing to go the route of fertility drugs. Ovulation predictor kits and Fertility Monitors are becoming more common. However, before these modern helps came along there was the old-fashioned way of conceiving naturally. Natural Family Planning, also known as The Fertility Awareness Method is receiving wider acceptance as couples turn to it to help conceive their babies or to prevent pregnancy.

First thing to remember is that NFP is not the Rhythm Method. NFP is a more precise method of observing fertility signs to determine when a woman is at her peak fertility.

Men are fertile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Women have a much smaller window to work with for conception, only about 24 hours. In order to increase your chances of conception, it is important to time intercourse close to ovulation.

A woman’s cycle begins with menstruation. The first day of bleedings denotes the first day of her cycle. After bleeding stops, there will be a time of infertility where infertile type vaginal mucous or dryness (no mucous or fluid is noted) is present. Further on, the mucous will begin to grow more fertile, from sticky or thick and clumpy, to more stretchy, and clear like egg white. This can take several days to take place. During this time the cervix goes through changes as well. At the start of the cycle it will remain low, firm (similar to the tip of a nose) and closed, and as ovulation grows closer it will feel softer, higher and open (similar to the feeling of lips).

Body temperature activity as well is lower, and doesn’t jump to a higher level until after ovulation has occurred. The mistake that many make who use temperature observations only, is to chart temperature only. Temperature is helpful for letting you know that ovulation has occurred, not that it will occur. At ovulation, the cervix ( the opening of your uterus in your vagina) will be very high, open, wet and soft. The mucous will likely be abundant wet, slippery, lubricative and the consistency of egg white. Though this isn’t always the case so don’t always assume that lack of mucous means no fertility.

The day of ovulation, or the day before ovulation, your temperature may go even lower. After ovulation your temperature will rise at least .2 degrees, and remain high until pregnancy is confirmed or menstruation has begun, about 12-16 days later. After ovulation your cervix will return to a lower, closed, firmer position and your mucous will be thicker, creamier, sticky or perhaps will disappear completely.

These mucous changes, cervical position and temperature activity are present because of hormonal activity in the body. There will be individual variations that occur and after a few months of charting you should begin to notice your pattern. Periodically, disruptions can cause change most often in temperature. On your chart you should make a note of these disruptions so you are aware of what is going on. Being sick, stressed out, exercising on particular days can all impact your tempature.

It is important to remember a few things. First is to purchase a digital bbt thermometer that will detect the slightest degree change ion your body, and be sure to you’re your temperature at the same time each day, after at least 3 hours of undisturbed sleep and before you get up to use the washroom or start your day. It can be beneficial to set your alarm clock on radio of nature sounds for a time you know will be a good time to take your tempature, and then go back to sleep afterwards if you wish. If your alarm startles you though, it could possibly raise your heart rate and your body tempature and give you false readings, so be sure it is a gentle reminder.

Secondly, chart your most fertile mucous signs and most fertile cervical position. Sometimes mucous and cervical position can change a few times during the day. Lastly it is important to have live teaching. Online helps and reading are beneficial, but to be able to understand the method clearly you need to have hands on teaching and experience. There are many teachers available across Canada and the United States and in many other countries willing and able to teach NFP/FAM

The journey to conception can be long for some, and easy for others. Natural Family Planning can help along the way. When you have the tools to understand your fertility you can be in the driver’s seat. My husband and I successfully conceived both of our children using the sympto-thermal method after 2 years of infertility. It has created success for many hopeful couples over the years and continues to do so.

Though NFP isn’t a guarantee to conceiving it does increase the chance for many couples. Enjoy the journey!

Written by Mary Siever
Certified NFP Instructor through Serena Canada
Lethbridge, Albert






Click here for our printable complimentary trying to conceive monthly chart.