NFP users please respond...?

Question

How has this form of family planning impacted your marriage?

Answer 1

Positively! NFP users are known to have a very, very low divorce rate - some estimate it at less than 5%. So even though some people will say that NFP is too hard for a marriage, the evidence doesn't support that.

I have had some very challenging charts in using NFP. Some have required longer than usual periods of abstinence. Even as a newlywed there were times when it was hard to use NFP. But my husband and I were able to work together through those times, laugh about how crazy my charts were, and yes - sometimes even get mad together about how frustrating it was. (My chart troubles were due to a medical disorder, so my experience is not the norm for most couples!!) The point is that we went through it together. We charted together (my husband liked to put my charts into Excel files and make these long interpretations and graphs and all sorts of nerdy guy stuff with them); it wasn't just something that was my responsibility or his responsibility.

We have been really blessed with NFP because it helped us enjoy each other both sexually and non-sexually. Sometimes having a break from the pressure of sex is a good thing because you can focus on other ways to bond and spend time together. We are also indebted to NFP because by charting we were able to conceive both our daughters.

There are times of challenge with NFP. I will not deny that. But for the most part, those times go away quickly. When you work together on NFP you can help build your relationship. NFP requires good communication and a commitment to one another that no other method of family planning requires.

Everyone's experience with NFP is different. I hope anyone who finds it too challenging to use will first find a good teacher or practitioner who will help coach the couple through reading their charts to minimize the amount of abstaining needed before giving up.

Answer 2

I've only been married since Decmeber. I was on the pill (Yasmin) the first month of our marriage (which was sort of a blessing at the time considering we were very excited to enjoy our new found intimacy) but then I couldn't stand the emotional and psychological effects of the horomones on my body so we started looking into other options.

First we tried using condoms. But neither one of us enjoyed those either. They were uncomfortable and I just didn't like them. I knew we had to do something different. A catholic friend getting married in August told me all about what she's learning in her NFP class and it really interested me. I looked into it and being the nursing student that I am.... I was totally hooked by the fact that I even get to learn more about my body and cycle.

I started to take my BBT soon after stopping BC and saw the ovulation spike, I never thought it would be that easy. But my husband was critical the first month. He said everyone he knew who had tried this method was a parent now. Nevertheless we began to enjoy our times of intimacy much more without using barrier methods or contraceptives... intimacy was sweet and free. All we had to do was watch out for that certain fertile time of the month. And actually, since we believe barrier methods are ok, just not very comfortable, we've chosen to use those during the days of the month most would abstain.

It's been two months now and my husband is 100% supportive. He's even said to me, "Bridget, you know I really like Natural Family Planning... there is so much FREEDOM. You don't have the weight and stress of taking birth control pills or using uncomfortable condoms." And that's what intimacy in marriage was meant to be- free, wonderful, special. Even if you do abstain for those few days a month, you do so freely because you know it will enhance your marriage.

My husband and I are all for NFP and Fertility Awareness Method. We're young, 20 and 23, and plan on using this method until the Lord directs us otherwise.

Answer 3

My husband and I have been using this form for two years now, and we love it. It has really helped us communicate about things that many other couples don't talk about. We know that we're working together to prevent pregancy, so it really is a cooperative effort.
Granted, you do have to make sure that you are both in it together, and that you both understand what the method entails and are willing to work with it. I know that not all husbands would be so thrilled with it, but I've been blessed with a very caring, wonderful husband who has been nothing but supportive!