Click here for a brochure explaining Natural Family Planning and where to find NFP classes.
What is Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.
What are the benefits of using NFP?
In NFP, both spouses are taught to understand the nature of fertility and work with it, either to plan a pregnancy or avoid a pregnancy. Couples who use NFP soon learn that they have a shared responsibility for family planning. Husbands are encouraged to “tune into” their wives’ cycles and both spouses are encouraged to speak openly and frankly about their sexual desires and their ideas on family size.
Other benefits include:
- low cost
- no harmful side effects
- effective for achieving, spacing, or
- limiting pregnancy
- can be used throughout a woman’s
- reproductive life
- marriage enrichment and mutual
- understanding
- appreciation for the value of children
- fosters respect for and acceptance of
- the total person
- morally acceptable
How effective are natural family planning methods for avoiding pregnancy?
When couples understand the methods and are motivated to follow them, NFP is up to 99% successful in spacing or limiting births. Those who are highly motivated to avoid pregnancy and follow the method-defined rules are very effective in meeting their goal.
You can view stories of couples who use NFP and how NFP has impacted their marriages by visiting:
www.YouTube.com/CoupletoCoupleLeague.
NFP and the Telos of Sex by Father Tad Pacholczyk. Click here for the Catholic Chronicle article.
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