Recent trends in the medical community indicate that more and more young couples aare seeking hormone-free, non-steroidal methods of family planning. Natural Family Planning (NFP) describes the host of eco-friendly scientific methods of family planning which rely on the natural and observable signs and symptoms of a woman's cycle to determine phases of fertility. Couples can use this information to postpone or plan pregnancy, throughout their child-bearing years.
The Sympto-Thermal method of natural family planning is an educational program based on scientific knowlege on how to plan or postpone a pregnancy. Couples participate in three classes, spaced one month apart, to allow the couple to go through several of the woman's menstrual cycles while learning the method. Classes are taught by married couples who are trained and certified by the Couple to Couple League (CCL). Couples may learn the method by taking the CCL main course online with other students in a virtual class, or via a self-paced online course. Couple to Couple League also offers live classes with instructors in certain areas.
The Creighton model is highly effective in both its method and use as a way to achieve or postpone pregnancy. This method of natural family planning is recognized by the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. It is a system which enables husbands and wives to be active participants in the monitoring and maintaining of their own procreative health and fertility planning.
Classes in the Creighton model of NFP are offered on a regular basis in the Trenton Diocese by certified Fertiltiy Care Practitioners. These practitioners are also versed in Napro Technology (Natural Procreative Technology) to provide married couples with Church-approved alternatives for commone fertility problems.
NaProTECHNOLOGY uses the Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System biomarkers to monitor easily and objectively the occurrence of various hormonal events during the menstrual cycle. NaProtracking provides valid information that can be interpreted by a woman and by physicians who are specifically trained in this system.
Unlike common suppressive or destructive approaches, NaProTECHNOLOGY works cooperatively with the procreative and gynecologic systems. When these systems function abnormally, NaProTECHNOLOGY identifies the problems and cooperates with the menstrual and fertility cycles that correct the condition, maintain the human ecology, and sustain the procreative potential.
Women now have an opportunity to know and understand the causes of the symptoms from which they suffer.
To learn more about the Creighton method and Napro Technology, or to register for NFP classes, contact Kait Mayer ([email protected]).
For information about Natural Family Planning education in our area, contact Peg Hensler (403-7156; [email protected]).
For general information about Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABM) of natural family planning, you can also check out Natural Womanhood.org. a website where you can find a host of informative blog articles explaining the true benefits of natural family planning, and the real side effects of artificial contraceptives.
The Catholic Church teaches that fertility is a sacred gift allowing married couples to share in God's generosity and creative power. Children are the crowning gift of marriage, born of the one-flesh union of husband and wife. Married Love and the Gift of Life is a brief easy-to-read summary of the Catholic understanding of God's plan for marital love.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical about procreation and human life that continues to transform lives and marriages more than any teachings introduced since that time. We encourage you to take the time to read this prophetic, life-changing document called Humanae Vitae—consider it a special gift to your marriage.
Note: The Church does not insist that married couples must procreate like rabbits, but it does ask that you prayerfully and generously consider when to plan to have children. And it requires that you always be open to the gift of life should it be given despite contraceptives or NFP. This is the primary difference between NFP and contraceptives—the first (NFP) works with the body's natural cycles of fertility and infertility, whereas the second (contraceptives), works against the body's natural, God-given fertility by blocking the natural result of the fertile one-flesh union of the spouses.
Read more about Responsible Parenthood.
There are many factors in today’s culture that have contributed to growing concerns among young couples about infertility. Approximately one in six married couples is infertilie For Catholics, there are specific guidelines about the uses of reproductive technology. Knowing the common causes of infertility, the most frequently asked questions about fertility planning among Catholics, and effective solutions offered through Naprotechnology (Natural Procreative Technology) will reduce the “fear of the unknown” when it comes to infertility issues.
Research indicates that high levels of stress, specifically the stress of trying to conceive a child, can contribute to infertility. Organic Conceptions enables couples to optimize their emotional health and well-being for conception! This organization, consistent with Catholic teaching, promises to help women and couples unlock their full potential in every emotional aspect of their fertility journey. Through their research, Organic Conceptions has found that the journey from struggling to conceive to a successful conception follows predictable stages and that knowing what to expect is empowering. These stages now become a guide to breaking through the emotional barriers and obstacles that can impact stress and hormonal balance, and weaken chances at conception.
As with all aspects of our Catholic Faith, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is the definitive source of Church teaching for the Sacrament of Marriage, and in particular, for procreation.
Click on the links below for a complete set of paragraphs from the Catechism that explains