Catholic Weddings

Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend...

Yesterday, my FI and I completed an "Engaged Couple Seminar," which is my diocese's alternative for those who cannot attend an entire "Engaged Encounter" weekend.  Some of it was pretty painful to sit through, ie. discussions on how to balance your checkbook, how to save for retirement, etc.  FI and I are 31 and 27, respectively, and we've lived and worked independently for several years, so we've figured that stuff out.

Then we got the the "fertility care" section, and I prepared to tune out.  We're not 100% sure yet what our family planning tactic will be (the wedding is not until next July), but I had pretty much written off natural methods.  At the seminar yeaterday, a woman and her husband got up to speak, introduced themselves, and said they had five kids.  I think some of the people in the seminar actually gasped, but the couple laughed and said that no, they do not have five children because their method failed, they have five children because that had always been the plan.

Apparently, they've been using the Creighton method for about 20 years, and the wife is a certified teacher and practitioner.  I was shocked that as she spoke more and more about it, the whole idea began to sound not too bad - very scientific and adaptable to one's specific situation, both of which are important to me.  At the break, I asked my FI if he would go to a Creighton information session with me (there are several free ones in our area), and he agreed.  So here I am, at 8:30 the next morning, about to search the internet for a practitioner to teach us more about the topic.  Pretty cool.   :)

I hope everyone had a nice weekend!
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Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend...

  • edited September 2012
    That is so fantastic! There are several of us on this board who are Creighton users, and lots of ladies who love NFP. We have used it to avoid pregnancy for many cycles, to conceive, and to diagnose medical issues. Modern NFP is very scientific -- and the medicine of treating diseases, not symptoms, is what we should be seeking when we seek medical advice (major soapbox for me).

    Edit: And we are 100% here to support you moving forward. Also, for some great info on the science of NFP, check out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility (TCOYF).
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  • What wonderful news!

    I have to tell you, I always love explaining NFP to people who are not on board, because there is almost always that moment of, "Oh, that actually sounds like it's effective!"  I am a biologist, so I meet a lot of very intelligent, science-minded people and I'm always amazed that they don't understand that these things happen in their bodies every day. 

    Please stick around!
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  • NFP is amazing. Every woman should learn how to use the method. There are so many benefits and once you learn it, it's honesty a habit that doesn't interfere with ur day. Definitely utilize this board as a resource as you learn! There is a wealth of knowledge here :
  • Thanks, everyone!  I'm happy to know that I can ask here if I have questions.  I have none right at the moment, but I'm sure many will pop up as we go along!
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  • How awesome!  That is so great that you were able to open your heart to this!  It is such a blessing! :o)
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  • I also had my marriage prep this weekend and learned a lot more about NFP.  Lurking on this board for past couple months got me interested on the topic.  I've decided I would like to start soon, and would like to find a specialist in the area, if anyone knows anyone near Boston.  TIA!
  • edited September 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_had-my-eyes-opened-a-bit-this-weekend?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:d7cae032-e8a1-4083-904c-55cb426f8e62Post:b4782a91-7afa-45cd-ba4e-02afbad145e5">Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend...</a>:
    [QUOTE]I also had my marriage prep this weekend and learned a lot more about NFP.  Lurking on this board for past couple months got me interested on the topic.  I've decided I would like to start soon, and would like to find a specialist in the area, if anyone knows anyone near Boston.  TIA!
    Posted by SusieSunshine2[/QUOTE]

    I know that for Billings instructors you can go to <a href="http://www.boma-usa.org" rel="nofollow">www.boma-usa.org</a> to find instructors in your area.
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  • What an awesome story!!  It's always awesome when you go into something pretty stuck in your ways, and leave feeling like a new person, with a totally different perspective!!   Stick around, and feel free to bounce questions off us.  This board has been incredibly helpful for me in this area, so I hope you'll have a similar experience!

     

  • I love stories like this.

    Here's where you can find doctors and teachers

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_had-my-eyes-opened-a-bit-this-weekend?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:d7cae032-e8a1-4083-904c-55cb426f8e62Post:b4782a91-7afa-45cd-ba4e-02afbad145e5">Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend...</a>:
    [QUOTE]I also had my marriage prep this weekend and learned a lot more about NFP.  Lurking on this board for past couple months got me interested on the topic.  I've decided I would like to start soon, and would like to find a specialist in the area, if anyone knows anyone near Boston.  TIA!
    Posted by SusieSunshine2[/QUOTE]

    I was looking for one around Boston as well, and I contacted a woman in Marlborough, although she is (somewhat ironically) going on maternity leave and won't be available to teach for a while.  She directed me to a practitioner in Fitchburg, if that's close enough for you.  I also think there's one in Natick...

    I found their contact information at <a href="http://www.fertilitycare.org." rel="nofollow">www.fertilitycare.org.</a>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_had-my-eyes-opened-a-bit-this-weekend?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:d7cae032-e8a1-4083-904c-55cb426f8e62Post:614319ef-a53b-4024-a20c-0332b2749a79">Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend...</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend... : I was looking for one around Boston as well, and I contacted a woman in Marlborough, although she is (somewhat ironically) going on maternity leave and won't be available to teach for a while.  She directed me to a practitioner in Fitchburg, if that's close enough for you.  I also think there's one in Natick... I found their contact information at <a href="http://www.fertilitycare.org." rel="nofollow">www.fertilitycare.org.</a>
    Posted by elbow23[/QUOTE]

    <div>Just for your info, NFP can be used to achieve pregnancy. It's not always about avoiding pregnancy. </div>
  • elbow23elbow23 member
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    edited September 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_had-my-eyes-opened-a-bit-this-weekend?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:d7cae032-e8a1-4083-904c-55cb426f8e62Post:099d349f-84b8-4fbf-b63b-85ec2dc13da2">Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend...</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Had my eyes opened a bit this weekend... : Just for your info, NFP can be used to achieve pregnancy. It's not always about avoiding pregnancy. 
    Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]

    Oh yes - sorry - I didn't really make the "irony" comment clear!  I think it's funny that she's pregnant because we were also told that Creighton is a great way to achieve pregnancy.  As she is about to give birth to her sixth child, it obviously works!

    Edited to add: I already knew it could work in principle, but seeing yet another person have success with the method increases my confidence.  The more pieces of data you can collect, the better!
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  • Wonderful! so glad you're open to it! I hope you are able to find NFP as much of a blessing as many of us on this board have!

    I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but if you are interested in a Sympto-Thermal method (includes cross-checking mucus signs with waking temperature,) the Couple to Couple league offers classes all over the country-
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  • Welcome and so glad that your marriage prep seminar was helpful!  At risk of sounding repetitive... NFP is pretty awesome... especially if you have crazy cycles that cause TTA or TTC issues.  My husband and I use Creighton, but the ladies on here have experience with all the different methods and plenty of wisdom to share if you ever have any questions.  Best wishes!

    Just in case you'd like another website to check out, the "One More Soul" site has resources on all the different methods if you'd like to check for your area...  http://onemoresoul.com/nfp-directory
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