Not sure what NFP way to go.

BrideBling82 · May 2011

Hi Ladies,
I have been reading your posts on NFP but I am still confused on where to start. A little info....sorry if it's TMI. My Fiance' and I do not live together and we are abstaining until we are married. I've never and he has before. Anyways I was looking into the different methods and I wanted to know what is the easiest way to start. At EE they really didn't talk too much about this although they gave flyers out for NFP classes. Of course we weren't able to take a class before our wedding which is July 16 with out missing the last month. (he's a coach). My fear is that I will get pregnant on my wedding night/on my honeymoon. I heard about the Temp Method...something about take your temp when you wake up in the morning and track it. If the temp is high than your fertile..I think. So after all this typing my question is where should I start? FYI- I'm not a charter and I need it to be relatively easy so I can do with no problem. My cycles are regular....although stress will make it move to a week late some month. Please help!!

professorscience · May 2011

Honestly, I picked up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility and have found it really easy. All methods recommend charting for several cycles though, before you just go at it, so you might want to start now.

You can find it at any bookstore.

Riss91 · May 2011

The method you are mentioning is the sympto-thermal method where you track your temperature and your cervical fluids to determine your fertile period. This is the method I follow and I taught myself off of the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility which is NOT a religious-based (they allow for condom use for sex during your fertile period while the church would require abstinence). I find this method extremely easy - it only took me a couple months to feel confident, but I wouldn't recommend the method for anyone that might have any concerns about their reproductive health or fertility.

The Creighton method would be the go-to method for those that may have health concerns as it helps diagnose and track any issues. You do not take your temp under this method, but focus more on cervical fluids. There are many ladies that have used this method on this board that could explain in more detail how it works, but you would really need to attend a course and work with someone in order to fully understand it.

Feel free to ask any questions - there are many knowledgable people on this board!

bibliophile2010 · May 2011

I second everything Riss said. All things considered, if I was in your shoes, I would pick up a copy of TCOYF and start charting ASAP. Unfortunately, no matter which method you choose you will have to do a little charting. It is also likely that you will not be 100% confident in 2 months, but will feel good enough to have an idea of fertility at that time. If it comes down to being fertile on your wedding night/honeymoon, you and your FI will have to make a decision about abstaining or not knowing you may conceive. There's a thread about that topic from the last few days you may want to look at.

In addition, I'll chime in a little bit as a Creighton user who struggled a lot with the decision. Although my cycles are and have always been really, really regular, I had a nagging feeling that I should go with Creighton because of its medical component. I am very happy with the method, and know that my (potential) medical issues are going to be taken care of. That said, it cannot be self-taught and is not a quick fix. If you have more questions, I'm happy to answer them, but don't want to bombard you with information that you aren't interested in.

catarntina · May 2011

I just want to say that Sympto Thermal CAN help diagnose health issues, too. Creighton is however coupled with NaPro technology if that's something you'd be interested in.

When you're taking your temperature with sympto-thermal, it can help pinpoint thyroid issues (hypo or hyper) or luteal phase deficiency. So taking your temperature can be beneficial. It's also reassuring when you finally get pregnant, you can totally tell like two days after implantation if you're tracking temps. And! Tracking temps confirms ovulation. You see a pattern of low temps, then it suddenly spikes and stays high for several days resulting in a biphasic pattern every cycle. The spike should correspond with a cervical mucus dry-up. If you dry-up, but no temp spike, you can assume you have not ovulated and your body will try again in a few days.

You shouldn't put too much stock in temperature, however. It's a secondary sign. Cervical mucus is the main sign you should track in all methods of NFP.

STM is fine for the majority of people and can generally be self-taught from a book or a class through the couple-to-couple league. DH and I were very happy with it when we were trying to avoid.

newlyseliski · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_not-sure-nfp-way?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:36f9d07d-9c04-47b4-95cf-ddfff98a5937Post:99052a72-0e49-4e8c-95f6-b7781471dfb8">Re: Not sure what NFP way to go.</a>:
[QUOTE]In addition, I'll chime in a little bit as a Creighton user who struggled a lot with the decision. Although my cycles are and have always been really, really regular, I had a nagging feeling that I should go with Creighton because of its medical component. I am very happy with the method, and know that my (potential) medical issues are going to be taken care of. That said, it cannot be self-taught and is not a quick fix. If you have more questions, I'm happy to answer them, but don't want to bombard you with information that you aren't interested in. ;)
Posted by bibliophile2010[/QUOTE]

This. I'm also using Creighton since I have PCOS and thus, potential fertility issues! I also do not have a regular sleep schedule or menstrual cycle and would probably fail dismally with the waking temperature stuff with Sympto-Thermal method. I take metformin to treat the PCOS and help regulate my cycle.

BrideBling82 · May 2011

Thank you ladies!! I feel so not informed....you all sound like you have PHD's in this topic. I'm going to pick up the book tomorrow....I know I need to start somewhere. I have no problems abstaining on my wedding night or my honeymoon if need be. His mother is scaring me more than ever....I think she's praying I get pregnant the first time. She's a little nuts!! But he's starting a new job in August, I'm employed but currently looking for another job plus we're moving into our very own apartment. This is no time to add a baby in the mix especially if we can help it. I'll post again after I get the book to get some insights from ya'll. Thanks again!!!

mica178 · May 2011

I read TCOYF also, and I found it easy and straight-forward.

clearheavens · May 2011

I'm in a similar boat. Because of trying to find a job, we are TTA for a while until health insurance for me kicks in and income becomes steady. I've been charting using the sympto-thermal method taught in the Couples to Couples League (CCL) for about 6 or 7 charts for my July wedding. I have no fear of conceiving using the knowledge about my cycles.

The book TCOYF is good. I recommend that.

If you're like me and prefer interactive setting and in-class exercises to go over charts together, check out the CCL classes. Most of the people who take it are engaged but some are married who have never or already have taken the course and need a free refresher.

http://www.ccli.org/

Calypso1977 · May 2011

one more vote for TCOYF - self taught.

just one side note on the temp - the temp spike indicates ovulation, but yoru temp actually then stays high until your period - but you arent fertile that entire time. but you'll learn all about that when you read the book.

the charting is pretty easy, IMO. it takes maybe 2 minutes to take my temp, then i simply circle a number in a notebook i keep next to the bed. teh TCOYF website is actually where i download and print my blank charts. i'm old school and do the paper route, but you can go to a site like fertility friend or im told even get apps for your phone and chart that way.

good luck! all of us can help you. ask any time.

mz07 · May 2011

Just a plug for another method I haven't heard too many people mention here... the Marquette Method. This tracks hormonal shifts using the Clearblue easy machine as well as changes in your mucus. It can be cost prohibitive, but, like using temperature, it can be reassuring since it takes some of the guess work out of the thing... your either low, high, or peak fertility on the machine, which can help reassure your judgements about what kind of mucus your producing. It's not as easy to pick up potential fertility issues, however, so if this is a concern, another method might be better. It's also really easy to chart, and if you google Marquette NFP it'll take you to the site where you can learn on-line how to use the method AND chart online. There is also a great forum where NFP professionals answer any questions you might have.

I'm basically doing the Marquette Method and adding on the temperature to it -- I have PCOS, but my cycles are really regular now that I'm on Metformin. I just want to use the temperature to confirm that I have ovulated.

Hope this helps rather than overwhelms!

bibliophile2010 · May 2011

Yay! I'm glad to have a Marquette user on here. I know that Marquette and Billings (which Creighton is based on, but which is still preferred by some users) are way underrepresented here.

Please, please stick around to help answer questions and share your experience. The more positive NFP voices we have, the better.

Jay&Marissa · May 2011

The CCL Method of NFP (also a sympto thermal method) was great for us. We appreciated having the guidance and support of an outside teacher. I asked her questions and if you join CCL, you can submit your chart to a board of Docs if you are having issues/questions. They also offer postpartum and menopause classes for those stages of life, too--we will be doing the postpartum class soon

It's very similar to TCOYF, but based firmly in Catholic beliefs. If they have a class nearby, you are in luck.

http://ccli.org/

bibliophile2010 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_not-sure-nfp-way?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:36f9d07d-9c04-47b4-95cf-ddfff98a5937Post:d9c44416-c406-4497-b1b6-f5cfcee6b500">Re: Not sure what NFP way to go.</a>:
[QUOTE]The CCL Method of NFP (also a sympto thermal method) was great for us. We appreciated having the guidance and support of an outside teacher. I asked her questions and if you join CCL, you can submit your chart to a board of Docs if you are having issues/questions. They also offer postpartum and menopause classes for those stages of life, too--<strong>we will be doing the postpartum class soon</strong> :) It's very similar to TCOYF, but based firmly in Catholic beliefs. If they have a class nearby, you are in luck. <a href="http://ccli.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://ccli.org/</a>
Posted by Jay&Marissa[/QUOTE]

Does this mean what I think it means? If so, super-mega congratulations!!!

Please come around more often and share updates/details/etc. Yay for Catholic Weddings babies!!!

Jay&Marissa · May 2011

Yup, due in December!

And for the record...NFP worked

bibliophile2010 · May 2011

Love it!!!! Congratulations (again)!!!!!

Not sure what NFP way to go.

Re: Not sure what NFP way to go.

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