I'm hoping to get a little guidance on this whole NFP thing.
I am from a MASSIVE Catholic family, and the first time I heard anything about NFP was after we got engaged. At Pre Cana, we heard about NFP from a couple who were very compelling, but also had seven children (which made me think, how can this be effective?). We then attended a one on one session with an NFP instructor, who has six children (again, there's no way this is effective at preventing pregnancy!). She informed us that our marriage would not be valid in the eyes of the church if we continued to use contraception. This was shocking news to hear. Again, this is all very new to me - I never learned about this in CCD or from family members/friends. The priest didn't mention this at our initial meeting (and he knew that FI and I were living together).
I do not want to offend anyone who uses NFP, so please do not take my ignorance as an attempt to be offensive! I am a skeptic at heart and don't tend to trust information unless I can talk it through with a friend with similar experience, or review the cold hard facts myself. I personally know not a single couple that uses NFP.
Can anyone tell me how well this works? My fiance and I love children and hope to have at least two - more, if we can. Right now we use birth control and it's worked well for us. I have heavy bleeding without it. I've been told (by NFP instructors) that I should get this checked out, so the cause can be treated as opposed to the symptoms. I am absolutely open to this, but am doubtful that a cause will be found. My Mom has a history of the same thing. My periods have never been painful, which makes me think that this might just be a genetic trend as opposed to a fibroid or cyst which can be treated. I'm also hesitant to undergo surgical treatment, if taking one little pill will fix the issue.
Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated... My FI is adamantly opposed to NFP, and has the same concerns that I do (that it won't work, or that we'll somehow not chart correctly, causing an oops or two or more). I'm a little more open minded, but would love to hear from someone who came at it from my point of view (as in skeptic initially, but won over at the end). Thank you!