NFP w/out instruction?

lv2011 · July 2012

I know a lot of people may say that it's worthwhile finding an nfp instructor, even if they're far away. I personally don't have that luxury of being able to drive long distances, multiple times. I'm wondering if anyone has learned and practiced nfp withOUT an instructor. I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how it works (I've done a ton of reading and ressearch), but I know that there are nuances different to each individual that can make interpreting charts and symptoms tricky. But do you think it can be still done effectively? I'd definitely appreciate any tips/ pointers/ advice you ladies can give.

Resa77 · July 2012

If you have wonky cycles, I wouldn't recommend it. But I think if you have pretty normal cycles, you'll be fine. I want to say Calypso is self-taught from Taking Charge of Your Fertility, but maybe it's someone else?

Riss91 · July 2012

I self-taught with Taking Charge of Your Fertility - but I have no health concerns and my cycles are normal.

newlyseliski · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:4c0176d0-90d5-4017-85db-7f4b8b062597">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you have wonky cycles, I wouldn't recommend it. But I think if you have pretty normal cycles, you'll be fine. I want to say Calypso is self-taught from Taking Charge of Your Fertility, but maybe it's someone else?
Posted by Resa77[/QUOTE]

<div>Ditto this! It's helpful to have someone to talk with if you're confused by weird stuff, believe me... so if in-person classes don't work, try a hybrid between self-taught with an online instructor component. If I recall, Creighton is pretty strict about doing stuff in person... but Billings and Symptothermal may have more flexibility with that.</div>

Calypso1977 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:d81f896e-baa5-493b-b96f-3ca1595e30a6">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]I self-taught with Taking Charge of Your Fertility - but I have no health concerns and my cycles are normal.
Posted by Riss91[/QUOTE]

same here.

lv2011 · July 2012

So, if cycles aren't normal is there no way at all to trouble-shoot on your own?

Riss91 · July 2012

You could certainly try - you can start learning about the types of CM and try charting it, but typically it will be difficult to find a pattern, which can be frustrating/confusing.

Not to pry - but what is abnormalities are you noticing? For instance, my cycle can range from 27-30 days and I have ovulated any where from Day 13 to Day 18. I wouldn't consider these to be abnormalities.

Resa77 · July 2012

I agree with Riss -- some "abnormalities" aren't very hard to work around, while others are more difficult. It doesn't hurt to try to start charting. If you can figure it out, great. If you can't, then maybe try to find an instructor who is willing to work with you online or over the phone.

lalaith50 · July 2012

http://www.amazon.com/The-NaPro-Technology-Revolution-Unleashing/dp/0825306264

I have NOT read this book, but it has been highly recommended, and the reviews/description of it seem to suggest that it discusses solutions to particular cycle difficulties, but I do not know if these are solutions you could do on your own, or that require a NaPro doctor.

TeaForMe · July 2012

I was originally also self-taught from TCOYF like others. Then after our son was born, we needed a new way and I had always felt a little unsure of my charting without having a teacher. So we found a Billings teacher (and now I am one, too!) and started using Billings. If you are looking for a teacher who can work with you long-distance, Billings is definitely do-able. You can find a teacher at the BOMA-USA website and maybe the nearest teacher to you could help you out?

If you are experiencing some abnormalities, you may be able to kind of self-diagnose to some extent, but havng a teacher would help you to figure out what is going on. Otherwise if you go straight to your doctor with your concerns, they may not take you seriously unless they are NFP too.

professorscience · July 2012

I have heard that people have been able to Skype with instructors or chart digitally and then share the charts with instructors.

I started out with the method in TCOYF and found it easy enough, but my temperatures never changed, so I sought out a teacher. It's definitely doable to self-teach, but I think you leave yourself open to a little more "user error," where working with someone might help you find nuances in your cycle you had not considered.

FWIW, I only took three Billings classes, and they were each about four weeks apart, and on Sundays at a church. We usually would go to that church for mass on class days and then meet our instructor afterward.

lv2011 · July 2012

Thanks, ladies! I have TCOYF, and that's been incredibly helpful. But my cycles tend to run long (36-40 days) and the pattern (if there is one) isn't very consistent. I'll have to check out a skype-based or email program- that sounds promising. It'd be great if I could just scan and email my chart to a teacher for them to send back with notes. There actually is a planned parenthood nearby that supposedly teaches nfp, but I'm not sure how reliable or in-depth it would be...and they're booked out on all appointments until September

professorscience · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:5bcdcc7d-b300-4a4c-b2a3-136214cbdd43">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks, ladies! I have TCOYF, and that's been incredibly helpful. But my cycles tend to run long (36-40 days) and the pattern (if there is one) isn't very consistent. I'll have to check out a skype-based or email program- that sounds promising. It'd be great if I could just scan and email my chart to a teacher for them to send back with notes.<strong> There actually is a planned parenthood nearby that supposedly teaches nfp, </strong>but I'm not sure how reliable or in-depth it would be...and they're booked out on all appointments until September :(
Posted by lv2011[/QUOTE]

<div>I would actually be curious to know how this would work out. </div>

lv2011 · July 2012

I may give it a shot anyway, since it's the only thing in my area. If I do, I'll let you know how it goes!

egm900 · July 2012

Talk to your Archdiocese and ask who handles NFP classes. We had to do NFP classes for marriage prep, but our instructor has me email her my charts still, we're supposed to talk to her if we have any problems or difficulties.

TeaForMe · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:d6482fbf-679f-4329-b66c-bc9acaed21cd">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NFP w/out instruction? : I would actually be curious to know how this would work out.
Posted by professorscience[/QUOTE]

Okay, now I totally want to take an NFP course through PP just to see what it's all about.

Also, at least with Billings, you can chart online and allow your teacher acces to your chart so he/she can see it and discuss with you. Super easy.

professorscience · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:61d0ec61-5899-4292-a65c-15e98e822d3d">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NFP w/out instruction? : Okay, now I totally want to take an NFP course through PP just to see what it's all about. Also, at least with Billings, you can chart online and allow your teacher acces to your chart so he/she can see it and discuss with you. Super easy.
Posted by TeaForMe[/QUOTE]

<div>I mean, I'm sure it's just as good as taking a class through a diocese. I just never thought of PP as really endorsing NFP.</div>

TeaForMe · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:39f37a28-ce82-428e-9f55-8a33f9d345ed">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NFP w/out instruction? : I mean, I'm sure it's just as good as taking a class through a diocese. I just never thought of PP as really endorsing NFP.
Posted by professorscience[/QUOTE]

I suppose. I just don't trust PP a whole lot. They *do* mention NFP as a method of birth control on their website (I vaguely remember) but I think they also pretty much downplay its effectiveness and don't exactly endorse it. So I just wonder how enthusiastic they would be about teaching it.

bibliophile2010 · July 2012

In addition, I'd have personal misgivings about supporting the organization in any way.

OP, I think that an instructor (whether online or in person) is essential, especially if things are weird in any way. They can really help you troubleshoot and can give you a lot of confidence that you are doing it right.

professorscience · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nfp-wout-instruction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:994d577f-f413-4b0f-a161-2fb2e9cd9fb8Post:0854e485-4513-45c3-912f-40111cc12040">Re: NFP w/out instruction?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NFP w/out instruction? : I suppose. I just don't trust PP a whole lot. They *do* mention NFP as a method of birth control on their website (I vaguely remember) but I think they also pretty much downplay its effectiveness and don't exactly endorse it. So I just wonder how enthusiastic they would be about teaching it.
Posted by TeaForMe[/QUOTE]

<div>I agree. I think it would be great if there was a movement even within organizations like PP to promote and teach NFP.</div>

Nickie431 · July 2012

When I initially wanted to use Creighton based on my health situation and that being the method of choice among my friends, I contacted their Fertility Care Center, and they were very happy to arrange long-distance instruction with a teaching couple via Skype. We ended up using Billings, taught individually by a local couple. We caught on to the principles within the first two sessions but have not yet been "released" from follow-up, because I've yet to be fertile since I began charting.

Most instructors are very passionate about making NFP accessible. If you determine you need a teacher and you're not interested in long-distance, you might find someone willing to meet you half-way. You could reserve a study room for free at a public library so that you have privacy, as I know I wouldn't care to discuss CM at a coffee shop!

Tami87 · July 2012

We payed for the couple-to-couple league home study course, and taught ourselves from the book. The nice part is that we can go take a refresher course in person for free as long as we are still members and I also could send in my charts for review. I also have taking charge of your fertility and that helped us learn as well.

Teaching ourselves worked for us (we do sympto-thermal method), but like Riss I am lucky to have pretty "normal" cycles with no health issues. 24-29 day cycles, ovulate anywhere between day 11-16, I get ovulation cramps and obvious fertile mucus and my temperature shift is easy to see.

However, I still do want to do a billings class in person as there is a local instructor that a friend of mine recommended and I would like to learn a mucus only method before we start trying for children and have to deal with post-partum charting when it isn't possible to take my temperature consistently.

newlyseliski · July 2012

With longer cycles... you might have PCOS! Are you from Grand Rapids, Michigan? There appear to be some good instruction options there... especially Symptothermal method, which you're probably familiar with now after reading TCOYF:

http://onemoresoul.com/nfp_by_state/MI

I'd echo the other ladies in still recommending not troubleshooting completely solo when you're dealing with cycle abnormalities... Mine are so crazy that I even had to e-mail my instructor while on my honeymoon! If you are trying to avoid getting pregnant initially, it's best to be cautious and not take chances on questionable days and an instructor will have the most training, knowledge and experience for that. I'd agree with Nickie that most instructors are more than happy to be flexible in order to help you learn NFP... just give some of the instructors in Grand Rapids a call and see if they'd be willing to do the Skype thing. Good luck!

mattylovesmilly · July 2012

I have been working with a Creighton instructor in my area for the past couple of months, but my fiance and I will be moving out of state after the wedding. My instructor said she would be happy to continue to meet with us over Skype, and that she does it all the time. I'd look into it--it's nice to have somebody to contact when something weird comes up

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