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No longer “guess work,” Natural Family Planning (NFP)
is an effective, scientifically based method of family planning
that treats fertility as a normal, healthy process. Northwest Family
Services teaches the Sympto-Thermal Method which is based on changes
in a woman’s cervical mucus, waking or resting temperature,
and cervix. These observable signs change in response to the hormones
of the menstrual cycle. It only takes seconds a day for a woman
to track her fertility; then the couple interprets the chart and
makes a decision based on their family planning intention. NFP works
through periodic abstinence during the method-defined fertile time
for couples who are avoiding a pregnancy. NFP can be used effectively
throughout a woman’s entire reproductive life. Regular cycles
are NOT required. NFP is NOT Calendar Rhythm.
Does it work?
It can be highly effective for couples who are avoiding or achieving
a pregnancy. Couples who are taught well, understand the method,
are clear about their family planning intention, and carefully follow
all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy all the time will experience
a 98 to 99.9 percent effectiveness rate. Couples who occasionally
do not follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy will most likely
experience a pregnancy rate similar to condoms and other barrier
methods of family planning.
How do I learn?
Effective use of NFP involves learning from a certified NFP Provider.
NWFS provides several ways for women and couples to learn NFP. In
Person: There are certified NFP Providers in most states; please
contact us for the name of someone close to you. Online: You can
sign
up through this link and begin taking a quality course in the
Sympto-Thermal Method and receive personalized follow-up with a
certified NFP Provider. Correspondence: You can receive the core
content via mail and receive the same personalized follow-up. This
can be ordered through our catalog.
Who can use NFP?
- Couples who want to share responsibility for family planning
- Couples who are avoiding a pregnancy
- Couples who are trying to achieve a pregnancy
- Women who want to understand their menstrual cycle
- Women during all phases of their reproductive life: typical,
long, or short cycles, after childbirth and discontinuation of
hormonal contraception, while breastfeeding, and during premenopause
Benefits
- Low cost
- No harmful side effects
- Highly effective for avoiding or achieving a pregnancy
- Marriage enrichment and mutual understanding
- Morally acceptable by all religious faiths
- Self understanding
- Appreciation of fertility and children
- Fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person.
Materials
The following files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download
it here for free.
NFP
Brochure - Enhance the Romance
NFP Brochure - Enhance
the Romance (Spanish)
Family
Planning Decision Brochure
Family
Planning Decision Brochure (Spanish)
NFP Matters
Basics of NFP
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