hi ladies. ive pretty muchh had it with hormonal birth control and iuds, all they do is cause me problems. my husband and i were considering trying the natural family planning, or rhythim method. i just wanted to know how effective it is and how exactly you do it? we have one son and we want to have another baby just not yet. thank you in advance!!
Do you know what they call people who use the rhythm method? PARENTS!! :-)
Try the Today Sponges very effective, no horomones. I used them for years and they went off the market because the company making them would have to have had re-tooled the plant and decided it was too expensive and stopped making them. They have been back on the market for about 5 years.
It's as effective as playing Russian roulette.
There are non hormonal birth control methods, condoms, sponge, diaphragm, femcap, ...
http://www.tressugar.com/Facts-About-Types-Nonhormonal-Bi...#
http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_use-nonhormonal-meth...
I personally chose FAM (fertility awareness method) I feel it is much more accurate then just the rhythm method. Worked very well for us for 3 years even worked well for getting pregnant...on purpose. I still chart so I know when my period comes but hubby got the big V since we are DONE.
The "rhythm method" is not a birth control method. What you want is the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the female body. It will teach you how to chart your cycle to avoid getting pregnant, or help you get pregnant. I used it for both with great results. However, you must be diligent. You have to take your temperature every single day before you get out of bed. You have to buy a special thermometer. You have to mark your chart every day. You have to look for other "clues". It's not that difficult to do, but you can't be lazy about it.
Just wanted to point out that NO method of birth control is 100% effective (except abstinence). So the fact that women have conceived while practicing NFP shouldn't necessarily be a deterrent. At least with NFP you have the benefit of knowing that there's no danger to the baby if you do conceive while using it - this is not the case with hormonal birth control as it can often cause miscarriage. Also, you have a wonderful understanding of how your body works that is missing with other methods. I personally haven't used it (we're not trying to prevent or plan) but my sister and sister-in-law have both used it with success. And just remember, if God wants you to conceive, you will!! It doesn't matter how hard you try to prevent the blessing! ;-)
One more vote for the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It explains everything you ever wanted to know (and then some) about your female body and how it works throughout your entire lifetime from conception through menopause. Natural family planning is really easy once you know what your body is trying to tell you.
The rhythm method does not work because it isn't based on biology - it's based on counting. The book "Taking Charge of your fertility" deals specifically with this and is based on the science and biology behind conception. I think the challenge would be if your cycle is not regular - much harder to track your fertile periods. Good luck! Hope it helps.
i know for sure Catholic churches can refer you to a class. Its about 99% affective from what I hear...BUT you must take the class so you can learn your own bodies natural rhythm.
@Patricia B...Its not based on biology? really? So knowing when you ovulate and your fertile days isnt biology? Hmmm
Call your local Catholic Church and ask for a referral to a NFP class.
We have been using the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) for several years. It ACCURATELY helps you determine your ovulation by waking temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position. I know the DAY I ovulate now and if we are not trying to get pregnant, we avoid intercourse around that day or use a barrier method.
I have been able to know the day we conceived with each of our 3 babies and most importantly, I am able to have intimate knowledge of what my body is doing instead of it being a mystery. "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler is a great book describing the FAM method.
Buy or borrow the book: http://www.tcoyf.com/
It's the NFP bible. :)
Ok, I really have no idea the specifics of NFP. I know that it has to do with timing your periods and ovulation to not get pregnant. Obviously, I don't know enough about it, because we had two kids while I was thinking I was not ovulating. The only piece of advice I have, is to really KNOW when you are ovulation, not just when "most" women ovulate in relation to their cycle. I conceived my oldest ONE DAY after my period. Not even 24 hours. That was not a normal ovulation cycle, and up to that point, my period was very regular - very consistent. So, I'm just warning you that you can plan all you want, but if it's not already suggested within the class or the website mentioned by the previous posts, I would invest in an ovulation predictor. Just to make sure you aren't one of those women who ovulate at weird times.
*My pregnancy could have been a fluke, sure. But, my daughter was conceived less than a week after my period, three years later. Again, didn't think I was ovulating less than a week after a period.
Good luck!
Get a basal thermometer and the book The Garden of Fertility. You can chart your temps for free on this website http://www.fertilityfriend.com/
We used this and it was really helpful.
I also got pregnant less than a week after my period, with twin girls, 3 years ago :-) I thought I had my cycle figured out - ha!
I also go sick on pills and the iud caused terrible cramps. I use the femcap and it is totally awesome!! go to femcap.com and check it out. It is not a cervical cap (i hear they don't make those anymore) but fits sort of like one. It's easy to get in and out. I went to my midwife to get "fitted" and then ordered one online (they come in like 3 sizes). There might be someone in your area who carries them in stock, I think you can do a search on the website to find people who carry femcap. I L. mine and wish I would have known about it years ago!
Well ask my 3 yr old rhythm method surprise :) I assume that if you are cycles are regular and can track your ovulation, it could be relatively effective for you. Good luck!
We are Catholic and took a class on NFP during our pre-marriage retreat (required to get married in Catholic Church). The couple who taught the class only used the NFP method and had 7 children. Well, that was enough info for me. We wanted to wait a few years before starting a family and I didn't feel this method offered enough protection.
I am currently using the Creighton Method which is a form of NFP. It is working so far. But you must be viligant and consistent. It is absolutely scientifically based! And using this method, I have learned so much about my own body and how it works. When used correctly, it is 99% effective. Take the class. You must learn how to use it. I don't understand how more people aren't using it in the age of natural & organic methods. Nothing is safer for your body! The woman who taught me planned the children she wanted and stopped successfully when she wanted to as well. It's also a great method to use for those trying to have a baby as well. You know when you are most fertile. Good luck!
It works well if you are vigilant and understand your individual cycle and can recognize when your (not to be gross) mucus changes. I have never taken my temperature but I can always tell when I am ovulating. And we are just extra careful in that time period. (Our church did a seminar on natural family planning that we had to go to in order to get married there)
Good luck.
