NFP question...

[Nicole8223]

DISCLAIMER: While there is nothing graphic in this first post, it is intended for adults.

Well, there is no NFP board anymore, but I have a question for those who know something about this.

Okay, I am getting married on August 5, 2006. We want to take the classes for NFP, but I have a choice.

Option 1:
My GYN gave me info for the Creighton Model and she reccomended this over my diocese's program. There are 9 sessions over a one year period and they are taught by medical professionals.

Option 2:
My diocese teaches classes on the Sympto-Thermal Method. it is 4 classes spaced about a month apart each.

I don't know enough about this to make an educated decision, so can anyone help?

Thanks.

Oh, and how soon should I begin tracking before I get married? I was told 6 months, is this correct?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Nicole8223' date='Aug 10 2005, 10:11 AM']DISCLAIMER:  While there is nothing graphic in this first post, it is intended for adults.

Well, there is no NFP board anymore, but I have a question for those who know something about this.

Okay, I am getting married on August 5, 2006.  We want to take the classes for NFP, but I have a choice. 

Option 1:
My GYN gave me info for the Creighton Model and she reccomended this over my diocese's program.  There are 9 sessions over a one year period and they are taught by medical professionals.

Option 2:
My diocese teaches classes on the Sympto-Thermal Method.  it is 4 classes spaced about a month apart each.

I don't know enough about this to make an educated decision, so can anyone help?

Thanks.

Oh, and how soon should I begin tracking before I get married?  I was told 6 months, is this correct?
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www.flyfreeministries.org has a Catholic NFP forum

[Nicole8223]

Thanks!!!

[Carrie]

Is it possible to learn both methods and then choose what works best for you?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Carrie' date='Aug 10 2005, 10:23 AM']Is it possible to learn both methods and then choose what works best for you?
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I believe that some people kinda mix and match, don't they?

[franciscanheart]

First off.... go over to flyfreeministries.org for the NFP Board.

I was told to start tracking at any time but six months sounds about right. It should give you long enough to get to know your cycle even though people have suggested that I start now, at 19. The couples I know that use NFP use the Creighton Model and it has worked well for them but I know that most phatmassers/flyfree peeps use the Sympto-Thermal Method. I am assuming one of them could tell you why they chose that model.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

[Carrie]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Aug 10 2005, 11:24 AM']I believe that some people kinda mix and match, don't they?
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That's what Jessienoel said and she taught it.

[Nicole8223]

Thanks...I appreciate the replies. I am going to post on the flyfree board. I think you can mix and match, but both programs cost money, so I would rather choose one and go from there.

[inDEED]

NFP ROX MY SOX.

[dUSt]

NFP = Not For Pansies

[rachael]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Aug 10 2005, 10:53 AM']NFP = Not For Pansies
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[sweetpea316]

[IcePrincessKRS]

I prefer the sympto-thermal method. I believe Creighton goes only by the cervical mucus signs (and therefore gets much more specific with the differences betweent he types of CM), ST gives you more signals to go off of. I personally think ST probably easier to modify to your own perferences--you can cut out one signal when you know enough to tell the other signals, etc. Alot of "I thinks" here, but I"ve got another.... lol I think that the ST method is easier to learn, you can easily teach it to yourself just by purchasing The Art Of Natural Family Planning by John and Sheila Kippley (I did, basically overnight ). I'm not putting down the Creighton model, of course, I know l many people use and prefer it, this is clearly just my preference on the matter.

I would chart sooner rather than later. You can more easily predict where you're likely to be in your cycle (obviously predicting can never be exact and lots of things can throw it off, especially if you're really stressed), and by the time you're married you would have a good handle on all the aspects of charting. I had wanted to start a year before I got married but I was lazy so never did--I didn't wind up getting the book and learning until after I had my first child, I wish I'd done it sooner. It would have been much easier not to learn it on the fly because we *had* to.

[Nicole8223]

Yeah, I was just doing a lot of research online, and everything seems to be pointing me to the Sympto-Thermal. It seems more reliable like you said, and it depends on more than one indicator. The sympto-thermal is cheaper and less classes and it is offered right near my house next. I think this is where God is leading us. I'll go over this with my boyfriend.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

[prose]

I am not sure if you know this, but my husdand and I are Billings instructors. There is a LOT of information on this method at [url="http://www.woomb.org/"]http://www.woomb.org/[/url]

We actively use this method, and reccommend it to friends. It is simpler than the sympto-thermal method (Serena Method) as there are no temperature readings, but equally as effective.

We reccomend 3 months of GOOD charting before you are married. But really, there is no reason to not just start now, right?? It is good to know your body even if you are single or not getting married for a year or two or whenever.

Anyways, feel free to let me know if I can help you in any way.

[Theoketos]

We are using the Cympto Thermal Method and Love it.

[IcePrincessKRS]

Prose, do you know how Billings differs from the CCL Sympto-Thermal method? I use the CCL ST, I really like it, but I have made my own charts so that I could adapt it to my needs better, cutting out whole sections (I can tell simply by using temp and external mucus signs, I don't do any of the internal checking). I'm always curious how other methods compare because if I hear some point that I like I can easily adapt/add it to my own charting.

[prose]

Basically, Billings relies solely on mucus observations at the vulva (can I say that in here?)... Anyways, there is nothing internal, and no "probing". Just observing throughout the day. It was found that this alone was as effective as internal inspections and temperature readings. Temperature readings can be hard b/c you need to take them BEFORE your feet hit the floor in the morning, or the won't be accurate, AND they only tell you in retrospect if you have ovulated. Not to mention they can be tricky if you are sick, travelling etc..

There is also LOTS of information about it at www.billingsmethod.com.

We have tried other methods, but I found this one was the easiest and the most comfortable for myself. We so far have delayed pregnancy whenever we wanted, and got pregnant when we wanted. It has definately been effective for us.

Edited August 10, 2005 by prose

[IcePrincessKRS]

Cool. I think by your description I do a sort of "Billings sympto thermal" lol Its basically like what you described only in addition I do take my temps (some days I do at any rate..), and obviously I use the Kippley book for reference when I have a question, so I use their terms and notations on my charts.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='prose' date='Aug 10 2005, 11:47 AM']Basically, Billings relies solely on mucus observations at the vulva (can I say that in here?)... 
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Mulva?

Dolores!