Family Planning - Naturally
Recent trends in the medical community indicate that more and more young couples are seeking hormone-free, non-steroidal methods of family planning. Natural Family Planning (NFP) describes the host of eco-friendly scientific methods of family planning which rely on the natural and observable signs and symptoms of a woman's cycle to determine phases of fertility. Couples can use this information to postpone or plan pregnancy, throughout their entire child-bearing years.
Natural Family Planning – Natural is Best!
View these great video clips to see why natural is best:
NFP vs. Contraception
With proper use, current NFP methods are highly effective in enabling couples to conceive or delay pregnancy, depending on their intentions. Numerous studies have shown that couples who use NFP have stronger marriages and more satisfying sexual relationships than other married couples. The divorce rate among NFP-user couples is consistently lower than 5% - of all the arguments for NFP, this is the most convincing!
Fortunately there are a variety of state-of–the-art natural options now available from the scientific community. The particular method you choose will depend on what works best for you as a couple NFP methods can be learned by attending classes, through home study, or by taking an online course.
Click here for a local list of options to learn the various methods of natural family planning, or contact the Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life, (609) 403-7156, e-mail phensl@dioceseoftrenton.org, or visit http://www.njnfp.org/.
The Two NFP Methods We Recommend Most
Sympto-Thermal Method/Couple to Couple League
The Sympto-Thermal method of natural family planning (NFP) is an educational program based on scientific knowledge on how to plan or postpone a pregnancy. Couples participate in three classes spaced one month apart to allow the couple to go through several of the woman's menstrual cycles while learning the method. Classes are taught by married couples who are trained and certified by the Couple to Couple League www.ccli.org (CCL). Couples may learn the method by taking the CCL online course or home study course or by taking classes offered locally. To register for local Couple to Couple League classes for the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP, please contact the Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life at 609.403.7156.
Creighton Model Method
The Creighton model is highly effective in both its method and use as a way to achieve or postpone pregnancy. This method of natural family planning is recognized by the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. It is a system which enables husbands and wives to be active participants in the monitoring and maintaining of their own procreative health and fertility planning.
Classes in the Creighton model of NFP are offered on a regular basis in the Trenton Diocese by certified Fertility Care System practitioners. These practitioners are also versed in NaproTechnology (Natural Procreative Technology) to provide married couples with Church approved alternatives for common fertility problems. To learn more about the Creighton method and NaproTechnology or to register for NFP classes, contact Mary McMenaman (marymac73@comcast.net) or Josi Shimkus (josijohn@optonline.net.)
What the Church Teaches about Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning
The Catholic Church teaches that fertility is a sacred gift allowing married couples to share in God's generosity and creative power. Children are the crowning gift of marriage, born of the one-flesh union of husband and wife. Married Love and the Gift of Life is a brief, easy-to-read summary of the Catholic understanding of God's plan for marital love.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical about procreation and human life that continues to transform lives and marriages more than any teachings introduced since that time. We encourage you to take the time to read this prophetic, life changing document called Humanae Vitae – consider it a special gift to your marriage.
Infertility and the Catholic Church
There are many factors in today's culture that have contributed to growing concerns among young couples about infertility. Knowing the common causes of infertility , the most frequently asked questions about fertility planning among Catholics, and effective solutions offered through Naprotechnology will reduce the "fear of the unknown" when it comes to infertility issues.