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NWR: Anyone using NFP?

H and I want kids soon, so we aren't being super diligent about birth control but are waiting to actually TTC until after our honeymoon at Christmas. I can't take hormone-based birth control, so we have always just used condoms.

I started charting and temping a couple months ago and since the wedding have just relied on NFP (it's only been a week so far!). I have been reading books about it and talking to my friends who do it, but I thought I would come here, too.

For those of you who do it- any tips to make it easier? Did it work for you? Likes or dislikes?
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Re: NWR: Anyone using NFP?

  • Yeah, we did it for four years until we were ready to start trying, then got pregnant the first month of trying. It worked pretty well for us.

  • My former roommate used it and really liked it.  They were super cautious and abstained an extra day or two surrounding her peak fertile times.

    They are now expecting their first child and they were able to get pregnant the first month of trying since they had all of the charts and knew her cycle.

    I think the key is to be diligent about tracking and when in doubt abstain or use a condom.
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  • We've been using it for 2 months now. I had been on NuvaRing for a little over 3 years and though we want kids soonish, would rather wait a few months. So I'm just trying to get a good idea of my cycle. I couldn't tell if/when I ovulated last month and then I forgot to take my temp a couple days this week, so I will say it's not as easy as I expected.   

    Likes: no hormone-based BC. I was happy to be rid of that.
    Dislikes: Just gotta be diligent about the chart, but once you get into the habit it's not bad.


  • I use it! I also had issues with the Pill, so I can't take that. My advice would be to find an instructor in your area. You can check the Couple to Couple League or look for a NaPro instructor (the Creighton model is slightly different as it doesn't require temps). The instructor can help you review your charts and make sure you are identifying your peak and fertile days accurately.
  • I had a mini freak out this weekend because the charting app I am using switched my fertile dates from a week before the wedding to the day of. And I panicked, thinking we were not careful enough.

    But then I entered data for a few more days and it switched back to what I thought was my fertile date before, so I was relieved :)

    I am using Fertility Friend and I found a BBT thermometer I like.
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  • If you are interested, there are also several NFP Facebook groups that have been helpful.  I'm in these two:  (both of them are closed, btw, so your posts don't end up on your news feed).
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/NFPfans/
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/483274698354742/  (<---  This one has a lot of Catholic theology and discussion included)
  • Yes we have used NFP for the last 2 years to TTA. Have been talking about switching to TTW or TTC soon. Even though we chose to do NFP for mostly religious reasons, I really liked the book taking charge of your fertility because it emphasized the science of the method for a non-religious perspective. It took a little getting used to before I felt confident charting, but now it is second nature. I am lucky to have pretty regular cycles though, so I know it can be challenging for some.

    I recommend finding an app you like for your phone which makes it easy to record temp in the morning and sensations throughout the day. I use the free version of OvuView and have been pretty happy with that, but there are a lot of apps out there. You also may want to look into taking a class or working with an instructor.
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  • I used it for a few months but eventually switched to a non-hormonal IUD. I was at a point in my life where I absolutely could not get pregnant, and I wasn't comfortable with NFP's efficacy. I love charting, just not as birth control. Too much possibility of failure.
  • We will make the move after Chiquito gets here. I want to observe more about my body and we just need to find the right fit!/method. I'm very interested in Marquette.
  • l We use it and are currently TTA.  I use an app/website, myfertilitycycle.com and it hasn't led me astray yet.  They've got lots of pictures and q and a and videos, plus you can ask their doctors any questions you might have about your signs.  It primarily uses a method similar to Creighton, but you can use pretty much chart any other sign as a confirmatory sign.  

    love it because I had no idea about most of this stuff and my H is fascinated by the materials properties involved...oh materials engineers.  I also feel so much more in tune with my body now.  I didn't even realize I was having ovulation pains.  Knowing that a few years earlier would've saved me a few trips to the doctor/CAT scans.

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