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By: www.nwfs.org
No longer “guess work,” Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an effective, scientifically based method of family planning that treats fertility as a normal, healthy process. Northwest Family Services teaches the Sympto-Thermal Method which is based on changes in a woman’s cervical mucus, waking or resting temperature, and cervix. These observable signs change in response to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. It only takes seconds a day for a woman to track her fertility; then the couple interprets the chart and makes a decision based on their family planning intention. NFP works through periodic abstinence during the method-defined fertile time for couples who are avoiding a pregnancy. NFP can be used effectively throughout a woman’s entire reproductive life. Regular cycles are NOT required. NFP is NOT Calendar Rhythm.
Does it work?
It can be highly effective for couples who are avoiding or achieving a pregnancy. Couples who are taught well, understand the method, are clear about their family planning intention, and carefully follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy all the time will experience a 98 to 99.9 percent effectiveness rate. Couples who occasionally do not follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy will most likely experience a pregnancy rate similar to condoms and other barrier methods of family planning.
How do I learn?
Effective use of NFP involves learning from a certified NFP Provider. NWFS provides several ways for women and couples to learn NFP. In Person: There are certified NFP Providers in most states; please contact us for the name of someone close to you. Online: You can sign up through this link and begin taking a quality course in the Sympto-Thermal Method and receive personalized follow-up with a certified NFP Provider. Correspondence: You can receive the core content via mail and receive the same personalized follow-up. This can be ordered through our catalog.
Who can use NFP?
* Couples who want to share responsibility for family planning
* Couples who are avoiding a pregnancy
* Couples who are trying to achieve a pregnancy
* Women who want to understand their menstrual cycle
* Women during all phases of their reproductive life: typical, long, or short cycles, after childbirth and discontinuation of hormonal contraception, while breastfeeding, and during premenopause
Benefits
* Low cost
* No harmful side effects
* Highly effective for avoiding or achieving a pregnancy
* Marriage enrichment and mutual understanding
* Morally acceptable by all religious faiths
* Self understanding
* Appreciation of fertility and children
* Fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person.
www.nwfs.org
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