More than anything else, Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a
unique approach to human sexuality. NFP is a way of achieving, avoiding, or
spacing births that is both a science and an art. NFP is fertility awareness
that depends upon the observation and interpretation of the woman's fertility
signs. When used for avoiding pregnancy, it entails chaste and loving
abstinence.
Is NFP the same thing as Calendar Rhythm?
No. Calendar rhythm can be considered the "Model T" of NFP practices. Though
calendar rhythm was as effective as any other form of birth control in its day,
it was the forerunner of new, scientifically proven methods of natural fertility
awareness that are far superior.
Does NFP's Effectiveness Depend Upon Regularity in a Woman's Cycles?
No. Modern methods of NFP are based upon current signs of a woman's fertility.
Past records might prove useful in some cases, but are used only with guidelines
that make modern NFP practices one of the most effective birth control methods
in the world.
Just how effective is Modern NFP?
The effectiveness of NFP depends upon the practice of the couple. Three recent
Federal studies have shown that well trained and motivated NFP couples can
expect a method effectiveness of 99% (one unexpected pregnancy out of 100 women
in one year's time; a baby, not a failure), which is as good as any other method
of birth control known to modern science. With NFP, there is never
'failure'-only a baby J.
Why Use Natural Family Planning?
The reasons that couples choose to practice NFP are many and varied. Some of the
major reasons can be categorized as follows:
* Health - NFP is a no-drugs, no-devices way of spacing or regulating births. It
is completely healthy. In fact, because a woman truly gets to know her body
through fertility awareness, she often can detect important changes that might
lead to the early diagnosis and treatment of medical problems. Other birth
control methods that rely upon drugs, devices, and surgery offer no such
benefits but, rather, have significant health risks. The Pill is linked with
medical side effects ranging from blood clots and strokes to ectopic pregnancies
and cancer. The I.U.D. can cause cramping, hemorrhaging, pelvic inflammation,
and even death. Spermicidal foams can cause vaginal irritation and may lead to
birth defects as at least one study has shown. Tubal ligation is associated with
surgical complications and ectopic pregnancies. Vasectomies, and even the use of
condoms, frequently result in immune system reactions.
* Reversibility - NFP is completely reversible. It can be used to achieve as
well as to avoid pregnancy. The Pill, on the other hand, can change a woman's
reproductive system enough to result in infertility. The I.U.D. can cause pelvic
inflammation disease which may result in sterility. It also can scar and weaken
the uterus so that a woman becomes a habitual "miscarrier." Sterilization often
has a deeply regretted and unwanted permanence.
* Aesthetics - NFP allows for spontaneity during infertile times. On the other
hand, barrier methods call for a couple to pre-plan love making or stop love
making altogether and use a condom, spermicide, or cervical cap (or a
combination of two or more if the couple is really serious about avoiding
pregnancy)
.
* Moral Convictions - Everyone is concerned about morality even if they claim to
have no religious beliefs. Pollution of the environment seems morally disordered
to some and this belief leads some people to conclude that it is unnatural to
pollute a woman's body with birth control drugs and devices. Others sense a
moral contradiction in celebrating God's gift of marital sex while, at the same
time, trying to destroy its God-given natural consequences.
* Moral Ecology - The use of insecticides, though they can and do kill unwanted
pests, have had both bad and unforeseen effects on the environment. So it is
with contraceptives. Since the open promotion of unnatural birth control began
around 1917, efficient contraception has been at the heart of the sexual
revolution; the divorce rate has risen dramatically, widespread fornication has
led to an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases and abortions and to the
spread of the multi-billion dollar pornography industry.
* Respect for Life - Many people erroneously think of the birth control pill,
the I.U.D., and subcutaneous implants as contraceptives. However, even
pro-contraceptive and pro-abortion groups admit that all three often work
because they can and often do cause "silent" abortions. Moreover, many abortions
occur after couples mistakenly believe that they are 'protecting' themselves
from getting pregnant. When the contraceptives fail, which they often do, the
baby gets blamed and disposed of (namely, aborted) because of this failure. NFP
keeps a couple continually open to at least the possibility that every act of
marital intercourse can produce a child.
* Biblical Prohibitions - Does the Bible prohibit contraceptive behavior? Most
definitely. Consider the contraceptive act of Onan and the serious punishment
meted out in Genesis 38:6-10. As "temples of the Holy Spirit" we are subject to
punishment if we do violence to our bodies through practices such as
sterilization (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). (Note, there is a great deal more written
on the subject of the Biblical basis for NFP.)
* Church Teachings - Mainstream Christian churches opposed the use of artificial
birth control measures up through the early part of this century. Even the US
Federal Government forbade the use of contraceptives under penalty of the
Comstock laws. Only after the Anglican Church opened the door to change at its
1930 Lambeth Conference did many Christian communities reject this inspired but
"hard saying" (John 6:61) and embrace the ideas of Margaret Sanger, founder of
Planned Parenthood. There was and continues to be at least one major exception
to this change of heart - the Catholic Church. Jesus Christ promised that the
Holy Spirit would guide His Church in the truth (John 14:15-17). We must remain
faithful to this Spirit of truth. God never changes, people do. The Catholic
Church has always held the aforementioned position and always will.
* Practicality - With NFP there is no running to the doctor or the drug store
for the I.U.D., the Pill, or contraceptives. You never "run out" of anything;
you never "forget" anything; you are never embarrassed.
* Equality - With NFP the woman is no longer solely responsible for birth
control and pregnancy - family planning is a shared responsibility. This is as
it should be. After all, it is the man who is continually fertile; the woman is
fertile only a few days out of each cycle. Woman often say how cherished they
feel by their husbands when they use NFP (they intuitively understand that
'popping a pill' communicates to them that their fertility is a problem).
* Economy - NFP is cost effective. Once a couple completes a class and purchases
the needed materials, they essentially have a cost-free birth control measure
for life. Contrast this with the direct annual financial costs of other birth
control methods:
These are the direct costs of artificial birth control for one year. Over a
thirty year span of fertility these costs can mount up to enormous amounts of
money. The indirect financial costs can be staggering if medical complications
arise as a result of using artificial birth control methods.