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Natural Family Planning (NFP) (also called Fertility Observation) is a method in which a couple does not have intercourse during the woman's fertile days. This is the time of the woman's menstrual cycle when pregnancy is most likely to happen. NFP information can also be used to help a woman get pregnant. If a couple has sex on the woman's fertile days, she has a very good chance of becoming pregnant.
NFP does not rely on chemicals, hormones or devices. Instead, a woman observes and records physical changes in her body that tell her when she can and can't become pregnant. Although she can't tell the exact day she ovulates, a woman can learn to identify the signs and symptoms of the fertile days of her cycle. Understanding our bodies' hormonal changes that are linked to fertility is done by observing our body signs: cervical fluid, basal body temperature, and cepalad shift (cervical changes). In this way we can accurately determine whether we are fertile (able to conceive) or infertile (unable to conceive) on a day-to-day basis. It only takes a few minutes each day to make and record our observations. These fertile days include a few days before ovulation, when sperm can live inside her body and wait to fertilize the egg once it's released. The fertile days also include the day of ovulation and a few days after ovulation.
To prevent pregnancy when using NFP, a woman abstains from intercourse during the fertile days of her cycle. Then, on the days when she can't become pregnant, she can have intercourse without using another method of birth control.
Women need to study with a trained teacher in order to learn how to observe and record their fertility signs. A natural family planning class teaches clients about the different fertility signs, including changes in cervical mucus, vaginal sensations, the basal body temperature and the cervix. Clients then learn how to figure out their fertile and infertile days. They also learn about couple communication and other topics.
There are four different methods a woman can follow to figure out when her fertile days begin and end. Most of these methods rely on naturally occurring fertility signs and symptoms. The four methods are described below.
Ways to Figure Out Fertile Days
Ovulation-Cervical Fluid (Mucus) Method
MoonDragon's Contraception Information: Cervical Fluid (Mucus) Method
This method was first developed by Australian Drs. John and Evelyn Billings. To identify her fertile days, a woman observes and records changes in her cervical mucus and her vaginal sensations. Vaginal sensations are feelings of wetness or dryness that a woman can notice around her vaginal area. Cervical Fluid tells when fertility begins and ends in each cycle, the times of highest fertility, and when ovulation and menstruation are approaching. Fertility begins when cervical fluid appears, and lasts through the evening of the fourth day past the cervical fluid peak (the last day of wet, fertile cervical fluid). Ovulation occurs anywhere from two days before to two days after this peak day.
Cervical fluid is a direct reflection of the estrogen and progesterone levels in the body (the fluid is wet and fertile when estrogen, which comes from developing eggs in the ovary, rises and is dominant, and is sticky or dry when progesterone is dominant after ovulation). In this way, cervical fluid is an accurate, external way to identify internal hormone changes.
A simple way to understand this is to summarize the hormone cycle. Estrogen rises and drops, and you ovulate. Progesterone rises and drops, and you menstruate. In external signs, cervical fluid appears and becomes wetter, then ovulation occurs. The cervical fluid becomes drier or sticky for about two weeks, then you menstruate.
To check mucus, she pays attention to the look and feel of her mucus throughout the day. By learning to record and understand these changes, a woman can figure out the days when she is fertile and the days when she is not fertile. If she wants to prevent pregnancy, she only has sex during the days when she is not fertile.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method
The BBT is the temperature of the body at rest. The BBT is lower during the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Then, it rises around the time of ovulation and stays higher until menstruation occurs. To use the BBT method, a woman takes her temperature each morning when she wakes up, and then records it on a chart. She learns how to read the chart and figure out when her fertile days end after ovulation. Once the fertile days are over, she can have sex until she begins her next period.
Sympto-Thermal Method
This approach combines the ovulation and BBT methods. It involves mucus checks, how her vaginal area feels, BBT, past cycle length and other fertility signs, such as changes in the cervix. By observing and recording these changes, a woman can figure out when she is fertile and when she is not fertile. Knowing this information, she can have sex on the days before and after her fertile time.
Calendar ("rhythm") Method
This method is the oldest method of NFP and relies on a formula to figure out a woman's fertile days.
NFP causes no health problems. However, it does not protect people from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It can be used by many people who prefer not to use other birth control methods because of health problems, religious beliefs or other reasons. Some couples choose this method as part of a larger system of values. They like the communication that is required of couples who use this method. Women may also like learning more about their bodies.
To be effective, this method takes effort and commitment. It takes time to learn to use the method. It also takes time to observe and record the signs of fertility. It works best when both partners are motivated to follow the guidelines of when they need to abstain from intercourse in order to prevent pregnancy.
Effectiveness
Failure rates- If couples have sex during the fertile time, they have a very high chance of getting pregnant.
- Typical User: 20 percent - For typical users, about 20 women out of 100 may become pregnant when using a natural family planning method within the first year.
- Perfect Use: varies - This varies with each type of natural family planning method. Couples who always use NFP perfectly can expect the following failure rates:
- Ovulation Method: 3 percent (3 out of 100)
- BBT Method: 1 percent (1 out of 100)
- Sympto-Thermal Method: 2 percent (2 out of 100)
- Calendar (Rhythm) Method: 9 percent (9 out of 100)
The Conception Kit™ - Contents & Use
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MoonDragon's Contraception Information: Natural Methods of Birth Control
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Sister Zeus: Basal Body Temp - In Determining Risk for Pregnancy
MoonDragon's Contraception Information: Total Abstinence
MoonDragon's Contraception Information: Natural Family Planning (NFP)
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