Fam/nfp

[penguin]

After I dunno, 8 years or so on the pill, and looking at another 4 years before trying to get pg, I'm looking into alternative methods.

My periods even on the pill are all but non-existant nowadays, and I'm concerned because of all the celiac related absorbtion problems that I may not be even safe with the pill.

Yes, I have tried the ring, no, I didn't like it. Same goes for the patch. Besides, those are both hormonal anyway.

Sooo... I've been skimming "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Weiscler (spelled her name wrong) at barned and noble and almost have DH convinced into trying it (for bc reasons, not ttc!!!)

I'm also amazed that out of the 835 amazon reviews for it, only 6 are one star, and 11 are two stars. That's pretty amazing for a book on amazon!

I'm also considering a class in NFP, and I realize they're the same thing, although NFP is the God version as I understand it.

Who's used it for BC? Does it actually work? As well as the pill? Know anyone it didn't work for (if they were doing it correctly)?

Thanks!!

[tarnalberry]

I use it - successfully - for birth control, though I use condoms for backup during fertile or potentially fertile times. It's a non-trivial amount of overhead, and I think it's important for your husband to be aware of your cycle as well, but it's a good method. Of course there will be failures on it - even the pill isn't 100% - but my understanding is that it is hugely dependent upon reliable use and whether or not you use abstinence or a backup method during fertile times. It also depends on how easy your cycle is to 'read'.

[CarlaB]

NFP is a very scientific method that reads your signs of fertility. It's not the rhythm method that was taught back in the 50's.

In independent government studies, it actually came out as more effective than the pill. Theoretically, both methods are 99%. In one study, the pill came in at 94% and NFP came in at 99%. Usually people who fail are people who are not very motivated to avoid pregnancy. If you have relations in the fertile time, it's no surprise pregnancy or failure of the method!! Also, if you use a less reliable method during the fertile time, as Tiffany mentions, then the reliability is that of the less effective method, not the 99% reliability of NFP.

I have six kids. Each one was planned and each time we decided to have a kid, I got pregnant the first month of trying. My youngest is 8, and we've used nothing but NFP since she was born, and yes, we are not abstaining!!!

I have a friend who has five kids -- the first, a Pill failure, the next three failures of three other methods, can't remember whath they were, the last, her only planned child conceived when they wanted to conceive using NFP. She swears by the method.

In 7 years of teaching, we had people get pregnant during the class, but only those who wanted to. We never had someone with a surprise pregnancy. Of course, there are method failures, as with any method. The only 100% method is abstinence!

The benefit for you would be that you would have years off the chemical hormones by the time you decide to have a baby. It's also good for your marriage. The divorce rate among NFP users is below 5%!!!! I know our marriage is stronger for it. We started out with the Pill, then used other barrier methods, and are happiest with NFP. It's good to have hubby understanding the cycles of your body.

[jayhawkmom]

We have used NFP, quite successfully, until DH recently had "the big V" after the birth of our 3rd child.

Our children are spaced very nicely.... 3 yr 1 mo between the first two, and 4 year 1 mo between the 2nd two.

TCOYF is a wonderful book!!

[Michi8]

After I dunno, 8 years or so on the pill, and looking at another 4 years before trying to get pg, I'm looking into alternative methods.

My periods even on the pill are all but non-existant nowadays, and I'm concerned because of all the celiac related absorbtion problems that I may not be even safe with the pill.

Yes, I have tried the ring, no, I didn't like it. Same goes for the patch. Besides, those are both hormonal anyway.

Sooo... I've been skimming "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Weiscler (spelled her name wrong) at barned and noble and almost have DH convinced into trying it (for bc reasons, not ttc!!!)

I'm also amazed that out of the 835 amazon reviews for it, only 6 are one star, and 11 are two stars. That's pretty amazing for a book on amazon!

I'm also considering a class in NFP, and I realize they're the same thing, although NFP is the God version as I understand it.

Who's used it for BC? Does it actually work? As well as the pill? Know anyone it didn't work for (if they were doing it correctly)?

Thanks!!

IMHO & IME, the pill creates too much havoc with a woman's system. I had great success following FAM...Toni Weschler's Book is fantastic! What I liked most about the method was having so much information about my cycle. I knew exactly what was going on at any point during my cycles. And charting made it very clear when I was and wasn't fertile.

Michelle

[penguin]

I'm thinking we'll take a NFP class, since the husband will probably feel more comfy with it that way...

Thanks for the info!!! What exactly happens in the class?

[CarlaB]

If they still do it the same as they did a few years ago (there is new leadership and they've freshened things up a bit), there are four classes a month apart. There is a power point presentation (this is an assumption as we used slides when we were teaching in the dark ages). Then there is homework, reading and charting. So, by the time the classes are over, you've had the teachers go over three charts with you. They are volunteers, so are happy to help you in addition to the class because it's something they believe in ... you won't feel like you're paying them by the hour. We always became pretty friendly with our students and had a good time in the classes. It's kind of a weird subject to be talking about in mixed company, so there is somewhat of a bond in the class like there is on this board.

[tiffjake]

This is what I am doing too. I went off of the pill in November 2005 (after 7 years). Though my husband is gone right now, we are still going to stick to this when he gets home. My period has not reached a "normal" cycle yet. I am anywhere between 28 and 60 days between each cycle.

But I feel so much better about being in control of my body! And hubby even noticed a change in mood (over the phone!). We are pleased with the results. We "watched" things while he was home this summer, and had no problems!

I never took a class, just checked things out online. My MIL is catholic (too) and had 5 kids with NFP. (The last two were not planned, which include my husband, but were "divine intervention" since her cycle seemed to go several days longer than usual.....like it was meant to be!) Must say I am glad about it!