Natural Family Planning

[This page is in progress. Email me if you have more questions or additions.]

For Catholics, Non-Catholic Christians going deeper, & those who’d like to know more on this issue: Why has the Church always believed in the unity of marriage and the immorality of contraception? [under construction]

Volumes have been written about this. However, I’ll give an introduction, and you can check out some of my recommended links.

Catholics Come Home-why is the Church opposed to contraception?
Contraception & The Language of the Body (Christopher West)
The Church & Contraception: What it isn’t about, What it is about (Modern Commentaries)

What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural family planning, or NFP, is a method of achieving or postponing pregnancy by observing the changes in a woman’s body that naturally indicate her fertility. It has nothing to do with the old “Rhythm Method” (aka “Vatican Roulette”), and treats you like a person–body & soul. There are several different models of NFP, based on two essential methodologies: ovulation method and sympto-thermal.

What models of NFP are there?

An NFP fan has compiled a great list here.

How does NFP work?

Women are relatively infertile creatures. While men are fertile all the time, women ovulate once a month for twelve to twenty four hours, and can typically only conceive five to twelve days a month. A couple can pinpoint a woman’s fertile time by biological indicators—cervical mucus and body temperature. There are other signs, but these are the main ones. (More on signs of fertility here.)

A couple learns how to observe and chart a woman’s cycle by taking classes/ one-on-ones with an NFP teacher, and off they go! The great thing about NFP is that you can use it to either achieve or postpone pregnancy. In fact, when some couples decide they’re ready to conceive, but then run into infertility struggles, NFP often helps them where other fertility treatments fail.

What are the Benefits of NFP?

NFP…

• Has no negative side effects.
• Recognizes fertility as a gift, a normal healthy process, not a disease or side effect of sexuality.
• Does not interfere with future fertility.
• Is a shared method, which requires mutual responsibility. Are you a feminist? Why have you been bearing the burden?
• Deepens intimacy & renews romance (NFP couples have the same amount of intercourse as contraception-users)
• For Christians: Enhances the spiritual aspect of marriage by planning your family in way that’s not contrary to Christian teaching. (
• Is cost effective.The average woman pays $1000-5000+ over her reproductive lifetime on contraception, not including sterilization. NFP costs $0-280.

How effective is NFP?

For Achieving a Pregnancy: According to the Paul VI Institute, those using the ovulation method (Creighton Model) and having normal fertility 76% will achieve pregnancy after 3 cycles. Those rates go up to 90% after 3 cycles and 98% after six cycles. For those with “compromised fertility” 20-40% will become pregnant within six to twelve months of use by charting alone. When couples receive medical treatment along with charting, their pregnancy rate up to 80%. Numbers may vary with the different methods.

For Postponing Pregnancy: Overall the rate is as high as or higher than any contraception systems–97%-99% method-effectiveness! No, really. It’s THAT good. Plus, the continuation rate of NFP (people who love it and keep on loving it) is around 93%. The rate for contraception ranges from 43% to 72%. (See Jason Evert’s Love, Sex & Babies, page 2. Copyright Catholic Answers, 2004.)

(More on effectiveness studies here.)

Where can I find instruction in Natural Methods of Family Planning (or NFP)?

Great question. If you’re religious or are comfortable with receiving formation from religious people (largely Catholic), call your local Catholic Diocese, usually the Respect Life Office or Family Life Office, and they can help you find a schedule of upcoming classes. Otherwise, I’ve not yet found like a universal web site of NFP classes. Different regions or states (New Jersey NFP Network, Philly NFP Network, California NFP Network) like local classes online as well.

I’m working on a Models/Methods section with links to all the different types of NFP, but you may also try the different models’ web sites, as they often have a national directory of classes online.

You may also try calling Natural Childbirth Centers, Catholic Hospitals or your Holistic Medical Professional for Referrals.

A last-ditch recommendation is completing and online course, such as one offered by Northwest Family Services and Couple to Couple League, which usually involve phone calls/ correspondence with living, breathing experienced teachers, which is a big help.

Having trouble finding a class? Email me at nfpblog@gmail.com, and I’ll help you find one!

The last, and very last, recommendation is to learn from a book. There are some great books out there, I don’t recommend it for your first try at NFP, because often times people misinterpret method rules, have a surprise baby [blessing], and swear off NFP altogether because they didn’t follow the rules. I recommend NFP Instructional Books (Taking Charge of Your Fertility, The Art of Natural Family Planning, etc.) as a supplement, rather than a sole means.

(For Engaged Couples) How long before we get married should we take the classes?

You can start taking classes at any point before marriage, but it’s usually recommend that you start taking classes and charting four to six months before you get married in order to gain confidence with the method.

Do you know NFP-friendly Medical Professionals?

For the US, See One More Soul’s online list here. For all others, check with your local Natural Family Planning contacts. There are many NFP groups that are international, like Serena of Canada, Billings Ovulation Method, Creighton FertilityCare (and NaProTechnology), Couple to Couple League, Families of the Americas, and more.