I hate hormonal bcp and DH hates condoms. Tell me what you know about NFP. I'm almost 6 mo pp and my period has yet to return so I don't even know if it would work for us right now ?
-
We love, love, love it! I was on BCP for 10 years, but I had horrible side effects, so we got off. Used it for 2 and a half years to prevent, and (although I lost both babies), got pregnant right away the two cycles we tried! We use Creighton Model. I love it because it's standardized, well-studied, and there are teachers to help you and answer any questions you might have on it.
Here's the website, if you're interested:
http://www.creightonmodel.com/Other fabulous things include that it works when you're BF, and it also works when you have ridic cycles (for example, mine!). We actually participated in a research study last year through the University of Utah about effectiveness of use of it.
There are a few of us bees who use it, and honestly, I can't say enough good about it. Full disclosure: I have a few friends who use NFP because they are anti-birth control. I don't happen to be one of them, though I see their point. We started using this because BCP just wasn't working for us anymore, and I can honestly say it would take a LOT for me to go back. DH has been really great about it, too. I could go on, but I won't bore you. But let me know if you have more questions!!
-
Thanks for sharing @LovelyPlum.
We're in the same situation @coacheswife123, although I would love an oooops hehe. FI not so much. Hormonal BC makes me cuckoo.
-
I love it. I'd recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It makes it really easy to understand, and it's a great book to read!
-
I used FAM to avoid and conceive but we use/used condoms as backups because we didn't want to abstain during my fertile times. As far as I know, you can't temp/chart if you don't have a cycle start? But I haven't read up on it. Once I get a cycle, I'll probably chart and maybe temp if my periods get regular. I read TCOYF and followed those instructions.
-
Tagging @sugar.biscuit and @Running Elly to see if they've got anything to add!
-
We have used it for several years and like it! We use a sympto thermal method taught by the Couple to Couple League. I recommend a class in some sort of method, especially if you are postpartum, as that can be a very confusing time and you might need stricter "rules" if TTA before your cycles completely return to normal. An instructor can field questions as they come up, and can also review your chart in case it is confusing, explain where the user error came in if there was an "oops," and help establish a basic infertile pattern if needed.
This site lists info for various methods, as well as links to them:
http://livingthesacrament.com/index.php/methods/sympto-thermal-methodsThis is a site with instructors that teaches a sympto thermal method online (I haven't used them, but the option of online teaching sounded like it could be useful) :
http://www.lovenaturallynfp.com/One note: many groups related to NFP are Catholic. That's because Catholics who don't believe in birth control are probably some of the people most likely to use NFP (I'm Catholic and use it). Don't let that scare you away. The methods still work.
-
bumping this for you-I know there are more users out there!
-
Not exactly answering the question, but if you're looking for alternatives, we used the pull-out method for 8 years with perfect results. (And got preg the first month trying, thought it didn't stick.) It gets a bad rap, but studies have shown it's 97% effective (better than condoms) if used correctly. The catch is that "used correctly" bit. We never waited till the last possible second. TMI, but he pulled out about 5 seconds early and used his hand. He says it's slightly less satisfying, but much better than condoms. You could also probably use it in conjunction with NFP, so you don't have to abstain on the high-risk days.
-
We did it to avoid for about 7 or 8 months before TTC. I felt comfortable with it because I figured if we had an oops it would only be a few months earlier than planned anyway. After I got more comfortable with it I felt more confident that I could do it to prevent long-term. I really liked it and feeling like I knew what was going on with my body. I was planning on using it after we have a baby, but I've since been diagnosed with endo so that will not be in the cards for us unfortunately.
-
We used it to avoid pregnancy successfully for two years. I had horrible reactions to BCP and hate condoms.
-
I use Creighton as well, and I know I've posted about it several times. DH and I love it. We used it to prevent before TTC, had early detection of PCOS and uterine cysts because of it, achieved a pregnancy while working with a naprotechnology doc (its corresponding infertility approach) and now use it while BFing seven months post partum. I used symptothermal before Creighton, but now with DD's terrible sleep, I'm glad not to temp. I do agree with @LittleFox that classes are invaluable.
-
We have used NFP the whole time that we've been together and we love it. We also use the Creighton Model. We do Creighton along with temping (which not all types of NFP use). I really liked having the temp to see the proof that I ovulated right away.
I believe that you can use it while breastfeeding, even before your period comes back. I wasn't strict about it after having E because we weren't worried about a surprise pregnancy (Hellooooo baby girl #2 lol) so I'm not sure about the specifics.
I also love that there are specific napro doctors. You can search on the website by your area. My napro doctor has been amazing. She's super patient, always there to answer questions and she's been able to refer me to other doctors that are open to NFP (many are not, sadly).
We used it to avoid before TTC (I was never on hormonal BC) and I was able to conceive every month that we tried (even though 2 ended in MCs and then we had a few months off in between trying when we purposely avoided). I highly highly recommend it
-
P.S. I do also love how it makes you aware of what's going on and it's MUCH easier to see potential problems before they arise. If we hadn't been using it we wouldn't have detected my PCOS until we were ready to TTC and we saved a lot of time that way. (Not that that would affect you in any way- just an extra plus :))
-
@rattles: I didn't realize you were a Creighton gal, too
@mrs. 64: Don't write it off just because of the endo. I've read at least one story (though I'm pretty sure more) about how NFP actually helped ladies with endo, especially after getting adhesions cleared with a lap. You may still be able to use it!
Like @Running Elley: it helped us to learn my cycles, too! I'm still having issues, but it would have taken MUCH longer to figure them out had we not been charting! And I have had two Napro doctors-one before we moved, and again now. My first was pretty good, but I totally love my new doctor. It has been a huge blessing to work with an office that really appreciates and works with our charting!
-
@Running Elley: you can definitely use it while breastfeeding and before your periods come back! I'm doing it now. Many methods have specific protocols for the postpartum period. CCL has an additional booster class, to learn the postpartum specific rules, education about the return of fertility, etc. I think for Creighton, Billings, and most others you'd also have the option of meeting with an instructor.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
15 comments