Beginning the Natural Family Planning Journey

   Natural Family Planning//Fertility Awareness// Rhythm Method... but not really//

Heard of it?  I hadn't really until my premarital counselling and while I never planned on doing it, I really loved the idea.  It kept popping up around me in both secular and Catholic situations.  I think the grand finale was when I read the Carrots for Michaelmas blog and a series they ran on NFP.  The women made it seem so possible and so, well, not insane.

Check the blog out... You will love it!

Now I actually work with many active Catholics.  However, as far as I know, none of them practice Natural Family Planning.  Some find it absurd, some find it unreliable, some outdated.  I am now definitely in the minority.

I should add a major disclaimer... my practice of NFP is not wholly responsible.  If you are charting to avoid you are supposed to avoid a little extra time during the first few months until you have an idea of how your cycle works.  I so not that good.  I have been married for four years, and if I get pregnant it wouldn't exactly be a bad thing.  That said, after some prayer we just don't think it is time hence the charting to avoid.  So here is the deal so far - 

   

My tools:  

• Vicks Digital Thermometer - It was cheap and shows the temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit and it remembers the last read temperature so I can take it without completely waking up.  Extremely important as I am not a morning person, and I am currently on vacation so I don't actually have to get up early.  Seems to be accurate. 

Fertility Friend App for Android - So I tried OvaOva which was pretty but not too detailed.  Currently I am using the Fertility Friend App pro version.  While is specifically says not to use for avoiding pregnancy, I like the charting details.  I just ignore their recommendations and use my own brain.  Seems to be working.  

My First Cycle Experience: 

   

    So this month has been interesting.  I have never paid attention to my cycle before, and always assumed it was like a monthly thing although it always seemed to hit a bit late.  It turns out that my cycle is a long one... this month it was 37 days!  That explains why it always seemed a bit late each month.  

   I only tracked for half the cycle and I think I missed my ovulation.  I am finding the cervical fluid thing pretty tough and I am hoping it will be easier once I start from the beginning of the cycle but we will see.  Temperature wise I was pretty much the same except on the mornings I forgot to wake up on time... Darn it is tough to wake up early on vacation!