Family Planning
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    Natural Family Planning    

What is Natural Family Planning?

The Natural Signs of Fertility

Learning NFP

Questions?

What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is quite simply using the natural signs of human fertility to understand the natural fertility cycle of a woman, and then using that understanding to plan a family. In creating and using this understanding, it develops a couple's respect for fertility, and for each other, as they grow in knowledge of each other and of the gift of fertility.

NFP can be used either to plan pregnancy or to avoid it: it has an effectiveness level as high as artificial contraception, and it is safe to use with no unpleasant side-effects.

Because of its reflection of the openness to the creative power of God which lies at the heart of married sexuality, it is the only form of family planning which is supportive of the ideals of Christian marriage, and as such it is the only method accepted by the Roman Catholic Church.

"So that is what natural family planning is all about - love of God, thanksgiving for his gift of fertility, love between husbands and wives, love for the child and ultimately the gifts of the Holy Spirit moving from the security and stability of happy families into society, those gifts of Charity, Joy and Peace." Dr. J.J. Billings, Rome, 1996

Who is the NFP Committee & What is Our Vision?

Ken & Cathy Raney 281-359-1008 or e-mail:   cmraney@embarqmail.com

OUR VISION: Every parishioner at St. Martha has:

  • a clear understanding of the positive nature of the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception--it's history
  • and it's moral foundation
  • Access to all the information they need to make the best NFP method choice for their family.
  • Timely access to quality training for each of the following three methods in the Houston area:
  • Creighton Model
  • Ovulation Method (or Billings Method)
  • Symptothermal Method

The Natural Signs of Fertility

There are various signs of fertility which can be observed by a woman to gain an understanding of her fertility patterns. The main signs are:

  • the mucus secreted before and during the time of ovulation,
  • the small but measurable rise in basal body temperature which occurs after ovulation, and
  • the changes in the cervix occurring around ovulation.

There are also secondary signs, such as ovulation pain and breast tenderness, which may be helpful.

These signs can be used individually - the Billings Method (also called the Ovulation Method), for example, relies upon the mucus sign alone - or together in a cross-checking way in the Symptothermal Method.

Learning NFP

While it is possible to learn NFP from a book or a self-study course, it is far preferable to be taught directly by a qualified teacher. If you do choose to teach yourself, you should have your charts checked by someone with appropriate qualifications.

The Couple to Couple League: 

  • courses in NFP (Symptothermal method) taught by couples for couples, in the context of the Church's teaching;
  • a wide range of literature about NFP, fertility, the Church's teaching, family life and pre-marital chastity;
  • a formal Home Study Course with regular postal or telephone support from qualified teachers.
  • As a footnote, Lifecycle software is independent from, yet supports the Symtothermal method of NFP. You may research and/or download this software free for 15 days by clicking here.

"For information about classes in the Houston area, please see
www.cclhouston.org .  If you're interested in starting a class at St.
Martha, please contact Cathy Raney at cmraney@embarqmail.com ,"

The Billings Ovulation Method

  • Contains information on the Ovulation method in 7 different languages. ( www.woomb.org )
  • Articles by Drs. John & Evelyn Billings on subjects ranging from breastfeeding to menopause
  • Order form for publications, videos, and charts supporting the Billings Ovulation Method
  • Please e-mail Cathy Raney at cmraney@embarqmail.com if you are interested in taking a class on this method.

OR

The Family of the Americas  

  • Contains information on the Ovulation method and: anatomy & physiology, avoiding pregnancy, and achieving pregnancy;
  • Has answers to the most frequently asked questions about NFP;
  • Contains effectiveness statistics from worldwide studies;
  • Offers a computer program for Windows and Mac, as well as other materials to order to help calculate fertile times based on the Ovulation method;
  • To borrow the video, book, & software supporting this method e-mail Cathy Raney at cmraney@embarqmail.com  281-359-1008.

 The Creighton Model of NFP:

  • is a scientific model of the Ovulation Method;
  • is supported and taught throughout the Diocese of Galveston-Houston;
  • for information and introductory class schedule call: CM Associates (281)350-9369

    Questions?

    For any questions regarding NFP or anything on this site, please e-mail Cathy Raney at cmraney@embarqmail.com  or 281-359-1008

 

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