NWR: Natural Family Planning?

I know that there are many people out there that don't use birht control and instead use the method you are talking about. However I am not one of them, so I can't attest to how it works. I would advise talking to a OB and someone who uses this method.

I'm not personally familiar with NFP. But my BFF has a co-worker who uses that form and has never had a scare and she's been doing for 12 plus years.

MuWa oh wow. 12 years. Thats great. I am getting the book, Taking Control of your Fertility, out from the library. I am only two months away from when we want to conceive but at the same time I would be disappointed to become pregnant early.

If you look up information about "billings method" or "nature family planning" you will find plenty of information on how to read your body and know when you are at your peak points in getting pregnant. My husband and I were married through a catholic church and we had to attend a marriage course / workshop for a weekend and they talked a lot about the billings method and how effective it is.. Although I am still on my birth control (soon to be getting rid of it) I still am doing a lot of researching on how it all works and understanding my body and my cycles...

Thats what I suggest. wish you the best of luck and congratulations : )

My BFF and her husband don't believe in contraception due to religious reasons, so when they got married, they decided to use the rhythm method, as they were only 18 and 20 at the time and did not want to have a baby right away. They got pregnant 1 month after they got married. So, I think it's kind of a big gamble, but if you are able to support a baby should you get pregnant sooner, I think it's reasonable to try and use it to time your pregnancy when you want it.

NFP or the "rhythm method" is how my sister was conceived.

Might as well combine it with the "Pull and Pray" method.

We did the "pull and pray" method for quite awhile and didn't have any scares. Then when we decided to have a baby we figured out the days I'd be fertile and it only took us 2 months to get pregnant.

We heard a lot about it during our engaged encounters weekend. I think if you really know your body you can successfully do NFP to control when you do or don't get pregnant but there are a lot of variables in the fertile cycle.

I know for me sometimes my cycle is 28 days sometimes it's 35 days, etc.

Thanks. Yea Fins, we did the "pull and pray" method as well because I am scared that I may have estimated wrong. I have a fertile tracker on my iphone, plus I am keeping close eye on my body.... but you never know.

There is an old joke:

"what do you call people who practice natural family planning?"

"parents."

I have a nephew who was conceived on a non-fertile day. It can be done, but you have to be SUPER diligent and EXTREMELY in tune with your body and your cycle.

I think the Duggars are real big on NFP. We were told about it during our precana and it sounds like if you really track everything down to a "t" then it will work I'm sure, but that's too much work for me LOL ... If it's only for a couple of months, just go with the condoms, there are a lot of super thin ones out there.

If you are VERY regular and VERY diligent it can work. It is not garunteed though.

We had used this method for the past 3ish years. It worked wonderfully up until the last month before the wedding when the stress got to me and threw my cycle way off..... and the result... Im 6 weeks pregnant. :-)

Totally worked for me! In my first marriage of 13 years I never had a scare and got preggers when we wanted to. In my second marraige I actually had to have fertility treatment cuz my body had changed so much. And FYI those Vaginal films DONT WORK!

Good luck on planning but I have to say babies almost never work out the way you want them to.

If you are trying to get pregnant, start taking the prenatal vitamins (found over the counter at any store) -- they aren't just for women who are already pregnant... they are also for women who are trying to conceive.

If you want a form of protection to use until you ready, but don't like condoms. Try VCFs. They are little thin clear things that you fold into a small square and insert as far as you can. Wait 15 minutes for it to dissolve and you are good to go.

Thanks everyone.

@ Kristina, thanks for the tip on the prenatal. I am actually taking them already and have been since March. I actually have never heard of VCFs but will look into them.

We have tried the super thin condoms and they are ok. I think we will play it say until I can learn more about it. But as some of you say, its only 2 months away, so it will probably help us get pregnant (knowing the best times to have sex) rather than keep us from getting pregnant.

Couple of clarifications... 1. there are several different versions of "NFP", the least effective is the rythm method; the most effective (at achieving and avoiding pregnancy) is the Creighton Model. The Billings Model is very similar to the Creighton Model.

2. being regular does not matter under the creighton model- it isn't based of of historical periods, it is based on your fertility signs day to day. 3. the key to success is following the plan- you've got to be diligent about paying attn and recording what you see/feel. 4. the Creighton model is also really effective for helping you identify infertility issues (or possible pregnancy issues ahead of time like it has for me). 5. it takes a bit of time to get the hang of it and feel confident in what you're charting, but usually only takes a few cycles to get to that point

^^agreed. Well put, Jen C!

Gemma - get yourself a basal thermometer (it comes with a few charts) and read up on the physiological basis of the method. You'll need to check/record your temp at the same time every day and keep in mind sickness/stress/alcohol/too little sleep can affect your temp. I know there are a lot of naysayers out there, but this method works if you're dedicated. We've been using it for a while and love it. Happy planning! =o)