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BASICS |
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BASICS |
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is knowledge called “natural fertility awareness” together with sexual union during the fertile time to conceive a child, and complete abstinence during the fertile time to avoid pregnancy. NFP method effectiveness is 99%.
The woman releases the egg cell(s) for a given cycle during one 24-hour timespan in that cycle, about two weeks before menstruation. Usually only one egg is released (single ovulation), and once it is released, hormones from its former housing work fast to prevent other eggs from being released: within 24 hours no further ovulation is possible.
Once released, an egg dies within 24 hours if not fertilized by a sperm. There is no known way to pinpoint the exact moment of ovulation, but there is a way to know when the woman is fertile. This is the woman’s observation of the cervical mucus at the vaginal entrance.
Sperm need favorable cervical mucus in order to survive in the woman’s body. Sperm viability (ability to fertilize) is dependent on the quality of the cervical mucus. When good fertility mucus is present, sperm can live from 3 to 5 days, otherewise sperm die within hours.
Dry days prior to the start of cervical mucus are a sign of relative infertility. The cervical mucus secretion is a sign of fertility, and the change back toward dryness, with a sustained temperature rise is a sign of infertility.
Couple fertility depends on ovulation, cervical mucus, and genital contact. Without an egg, conception cannot occur; without satisfactory mucus, sperm cannot reach the egg; without genital contact no sperm is present to fertilize an available egg.
Pregnancy can result from mere contact of sexual organs on fertile days - without penetration or ejaculation, and even though contraceptives be employed.
Successful natural family planning depend on:
- Thorough instruction with regular follow-up session with qualified instructors (reading a book or talking to a friend is not sufficient).
- Understanding the significance of the various signs of fertility and infertility (primarily the temperature, cervix, and cervical mucus signs).
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- Daily charting (relying on “memory” [alone]does not work).
- Accurate observation (paying attention to the signs).
- Mutual motivation (the safety, reliability, and moral value of NFP can be shared by both husband and wife).
- Loving cooperation (NFP is much more than a method of family planning - it is a “way of life”)
For further information call: Northwest Family Services, 4805 N.E. Glisan, Portland, OR 97213, 503/230-6377
Referral for Medical aspects of Natural Family Planning, fertility, or pro-life OB-GYN at Santa Teresita Hospital:: David Patiella Nurse Practitioner http://www.majella.us tel: 626 256 3064 (cell) 909 720 0373 (Dr.) Patty Jim Baggot (M.D.) 626 358 8045