Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Family Planning
 

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week will take place July 20-26. This year’s observance commemorates the 40^th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae, which was issued July 25, 1968. Humanae Vitae highlights the Church’s teachings on the dignity and responsibilities of marital love – a message that continues to be relevant in our time. 

Many people may not be familiar with the concept of Natural Family Planning (NFP). Following is a guide to some frequently asked questions.

What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning is an umbrella term for certain natural methods used to achieve or postpone pregnancy. NFP is based on scientific research and day-to-day observations of the signs and symptoms of fertility that occur as part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. NFP should not be confused with the outdated Calendar Rhythm Method, which was popularized in the first half of the 20^th century. 
 

What are the signs of fertility?

A woman’s body provides three basic ways to identify the fertile and infertile times of her cycle. Recognizing the pattern of one or more of those physical signs forms the basis of all methods of NFP. The primary sign of fertility is the mucus released from a woman’s cervix. A woman learns to identify the normal, healthy, cervical mucus which indicates the days that intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy. The second sign is her basal body temperature. Due to hormonal activity, a woman’s resting temperature changes during her menstrual cycle. Lower temperatures indicate ovulation has not yet occurred. Higher temperatures indicate a rise in progesterone which signals the end of the fertile time. The third sign is a change in the shape or texture of the cervix. Finally, secondary signs such as minor abdominal pain or pressure at the time of ovulation can also be observed. 
 

Who can use Natural Family Planning?

NFP can be used by anyone at any stage in their life – whether they have irregular cycles, are postpartum, breastfeeding, or perimenopausal. 
 

How effective is Natural Family Planning?

When it comes to postponing pregnancy, NFP has an effectiveness rate of over 99%. This statistic is derived from the in-depth studies conducted by a number of non-Catholic research organizations, such as the University of Heidelberg (99.6%), the British Medical Journal (99.8%), the World Health Organization (99.9%), and the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (100%), to name just a few.

NFP is also effective in helping couples achieve pregnancy. With NFP you will become aware of the most fertile days in your overall fertile time, and you will learn how to maximize your mutual fertility. In addition, your charted cycles may reveal certain patterns that can contribute to infertility and which sometimes can be corrected simply by better nutrition. Many couples of marginal fertility are helped by NFP instruction to achieve much wanted pregnancies, and the charts of those who may need medical help can assist the knowledgeable physician. 
 

Is Natural Family Planning morally acceptable only because it’s “natural” instead of “artificial”?

Admittedly, it is difficult to see the important distinction between periodic abstinence and contraception when the emphasis is placed on “natural” vs. “artificial” methods. There are a lot of things we use that are artificial but not immoral. So why is artificial birth control any different?

Contrary to popular belief, the Church does not oppose artificial birth control because it’s artificial. She opposes it because it’s contraceptive. Contraception is the choice by any means to impede the procreative potential of a given act of intercourse. In other words, the contracepting couple chooses to engage in intercourse, and foreseeing that their act may result in new life, they intentionally and willfully suppress their fertility.

This can be done by employing a large variety of artificial devices and hormones, or by sterilizing surgical procedures. It can also be done without employing anything artificial at all, such as in the practice of withdrawal. So, in order to avoid a great deal of confusion, contraception is the best word to use when describing what the Church specifically opposes. “Artificial” really has nothing to do with it and is better left out of the discussion altogether.

Hence, the Church approves of NFP (when there is just reason to postpone pregnancy) not because it’s “natural” as opposed to “artificial,” but because it in no way is contraceptive. Never does the couple practicing NFP choose to impede the procreative potential of a given act of intercourse – ever. NFP is not “natural contraception” – it’s not contraception at all.

As philosophy professor Janet Smith points out, we take pills when we are sick. We have surgery to cure maladies and disease. Fertility is not a sickness. Fertility is not a disease. Infertility is the malady that needs to be cured. As Christians, the proper thing to do when there is an honest need to regulate fertility is to come to understand God’s design for fertility and work with it. That’s what NFP is all about.  
 

How can I learn to use Natural Family Planning?

To find a certified Natural Family Planning instructor near you, call Brendan Murphy at 570-207-2213, ext. 1133 or check out the NFP page on the diocesan website (www.dioceseofscranton.org). You and your fiancé/spouse can be trained one-on-one, or participate in one of our monthly public classes. NFP is most effective when you are trained by a certified instructor, as opposed to learning from a book. The diocesan website also has some helpful links for those simply interested in learning more about NFP.