Charting Fertility for Prevention and/or Conception

{Note: This post may want to be skipped in being read by our close family members, especially males.)

     “The Pill” and other means of birth control are of high use in society. In fact, it has even become standard practice for women, regardless of the presence of an underlying medical or behavioral concern. While this practice may be beneficial in some regards, it is dismaying that it is often the only method presented to women, or even young girls. Ultimately, the individual must decide the most appropriate method for her life. My intention is to simply bring to light a method that is likely not being presented as part of that decision (and I personally wish it had).

    

     Let’s begin by clarifying a few myths. First, many methods are available but are not taught and supported equally based on assumptions of probable success. Note that the “failure” rate pertains to the user’s compliance not necessarily the method. A natural prevention method does require far more attentiveness than simply remembering to take a pill. However, making the choice for an alternative method is not done half-heartedly. Second, a non-chemical or physical barrier method will not mean you will have twenty children. A natural method is very effective in prevention. Furthermore, the window for conception is actually very small each month and avoidable if desired.

     I personally refused “the pill” prior to marriage. My husband and I had agreed to wait for children until later in our marriage (though my biological clock deemed that agreement null and void not long into our marriage! Haha!). I respected (okay, I tried my best but that clock is hard to ignore!) his desires to wait, and went on “the pill.” Birth control use in the early years of marriage is common practice, and the only one of which I had been aware. Yet, it was not too long before I began to be conflicted of its use (and no, not for reasons of that biological clock). We began discussing the concerns of its use and he supported me in finding a more appropriate method for us. He certainly demonstrated a tremendous amount of love, respect and trust in me to follow a method that would be successful entirely on the honesty of compliance! I purchased books and read online of the Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness Method, two methods which are very similar in that they both center around preventing or conceiving based on knowledge of one’s fertility cycle.

     

     The fertility awareness method /natural family planning involve three measures: basal body temperature, cervical characteristics and fluid. Since I tend to be very predictable in my cycle, I also used certain PMS symptoms as fourth measure (though this is not emphasized in either method and I don't recommend it if you're not extremely predictable). The concept is to follow the cyclic changes the body undergoes each month to predict ovulation and the most fertile days. If the desired outcome is to prevent a pregnancy, then you can choose to either use a barrier method or avoid during this time. (Preventative practice is the key difference between Natural Family Planning (avoidance) and Fertility Awareness Method (barrier)). We practiced this natural method with the intention of prevention before switching to using it to try to conceive. For us, it has been very successful for both prevention and conception, and is the only method we’ll continue.

Benefits we have gained from NFP/FAM:

• ·         The woman’s health is protected- NFP/FAM works with the woman’s natural body, not against it. Therefore, there are no risks to one’s health or fertility.

• ·         Shared responsibility- Both individuals must be committed and share the responsibility of the method. If prevention is desired, then the man and woman must both be committed to the chosen prevention method (barrier/avoidance) during the fertile time.

• ·         NFP follows closest to 1 Corinthians 7:5- This verse speaks of depriving each other by mutual consent and only for a time. This time would be the fertile time if choosing to prevent.

• ·         Education & empowerment- It teaches you to really know how the body works and how to respond to it effectively.  I was amazed how much I learned, despite being twenty-four years old. I kept thinking, “I wish I had known this information sooner!” The birth control was supposedly to empower women, but I have personally found embracing rather than denying my natural womanhood far more empowering!

• ·         Strengthened marriage relationship- A tremendous amount of love, respect and trust must be a part of the commitment to practice NFP/FAM. Effectiveness is founded more on the user than the method. Therefore, both individuals must be committed and honest regarding the practice. Second, (tmi warning) "it" is just better without barriers!

• ·         Acceptance of children- Despite the intention of prevention, we understood that without a chemical/physical barrier there would be a potential for conception. We agreed that if this came to be the case, then we would gladly accept the gift of a child. We would not be flatly rejecting the gift as would be done through other methods of prevention.

• ·         No waiting period once decided to try to conceive- Because NFP/FAM works with your body’s natural function, there is no time period of waiting for your body to re-regulate itself once the decision is made to no longer prevent a pregnancy.

• ·         Problems with hormones and/or fertility can be determined- All lot of information can be gathered from the charts! While it’s best not to attempt to diagnose yourself directly from them, they can help point you in a good direction if there appears to be a problem. Issues such as anovulatory cycles or short luteal phases can be seen from the charts (and again, to be brought to the attention of your provider). It would be much more difficult (and invasive and expensive) to have to start at square one and take a shot in the dark at the problem without information about your particular cycles. 

 Recommended Resources:

Books: 

Charts:

Taking Charge of Your Fertility (multiple charts) 

The Bump (conception chart)

Supplies:

*Note: Some of the products listed above contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the links.  

Linked up at: Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home Blog

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