Natural Family Planning FAQ
To NFP or to not NFP? that is the question.
It’s difficult to make a statement on the internet without a thousand disclaimers. I truly mean it when I say: the only person who knows the right birth control for you, is YOU. Your needs, values, specific situation, and convictions all play into making the right choice. I wanted to share my decision because it’s not the normal narrative circling. It takes all kinds of people (and birth control beliefs) to make the world go round! So wherever you fall on the spectrum, I’m glad you’re here! Natural Family Planning is not for everyone, but neither is the pill. Oh and PS: This isn’t a three step guide to natural family planning. Mostly because I’m not doing it the “correct” way and definitely because I am NOT an expert.
But what is NFP, you ask?
The official definition is: Natural Family Planning (or "fertility awareness") is a method of contraception where a woman monitors and records different fertility signals during her menstrual cycle to work out when she's likely to get pregnant.
The Karissa Dictionary definition is: birth control that honors your body!!!!
Brief Overview: Instead of using pills or an IUD, NFP allows your body to be the guide. Fertility signals such as cervical mucus (CM, that white stuff in your underwear) (Sorry, Mom) and your basal body temperature (BBT) tell you when you are ovulating (most fertile.) You can do what you will with that knowledge. ;)
1.) Pregnancy Scares?
Of course, but mostly because My cycles are VERY irregular. One month it’s 36 days, the next it’s 25. At some point, you just have to let go and let God. It took Connor and I a lot of long conversations to come to that place of acceptance. We have a house, stable jobs, and despite how I feel on the inside, I won’t be a teen mom. We’re doing our best, but there’s always a small risk when doing NFP. There’s also a small risk you’ll get hit by a car walking to the mailbox.
2.) Explain The Mucus.
Your body produces cervical mucus when you ovulate (aka: are most fertile.) It’s that gross white stuff that you find in your underwear every so often. The Care and Keeping of You book forgot to mention that our bodies naturally tell us when we can/can’t get pregnant. Right now, CM tracking is all I’m doing to prevent. Eventually I’ll start the BBT method, but for now I am following my body, trusting the signs, and adjusting accordingly.
3.) My Partner Isn’t Convinced.
Mine wasn’t either. Connor didn’t know anything about it so not only was it new, but also…kind of weird? (I’ll give him that.) Despite all the NFP-gone-wrong horror stories your significant other might have heard, there are PLENTY of success stories too. After talking with friends, learning about the potentially negative impacts of birth control, and ultimately just trusting me, Connor came around. And now, he recommends it to friends. Talk about a true convert!
The truth is, there is more inherent risk of pregnancy in non-hormonal methods. I’m not going to dance around that. If you absolutely, 100%, no-way-Jose can have a baby soon, your partner’s concerns might be valid. On the other hand, which one of you is on birth control? Thought so.
4.) How Long Does it Take to Understand Your Cycle?
I’ll probably be understanding mine until it ends, tbh. I recommend a good six months of tracking before you have at it. Did I take my own advice? Absolutely not.
5.) Was This a Religious Decision?
Not for me. I didn’t want to take birth control for the hormonal impacts, and I didn’t want a copper IUD (the only other non-hormonal option) because I didn’t feel like experiencing a labor level contraction upon insertion, please and thanks.
6.) Does it Ruin Spontaneity?
Here’s the deal: We live in an instant gratification culture. We want things when we want it, how we want it, and with as little inconvenience as possible—especially when it comes to sex. The thought of pausing to pull out a condom, or having to think for three seconds sounds so anti-ecstasy, right? Hate to break it to you but: you can’t have it all. You can’t have natural birth control and be careless and carefree. It does take work, a little thought, and careful tracking. But trust me, it can be done. I would much rather lose a little bit of my “freedom” to make sure I’m treating my body gently, instead of adding it unnecessary hormones. (Seriously, I already have plenty.)
If I could describe my NFP experience in one word I would pick empowering. (Another word would be: terrifying.) Despite the “Where is my period?” panic that happens every so often, understanding my body, knowing it, and appreciating it in this new way has felt like a spiritual experience.
But go knock on some wood in my honor, just in case. ;)
