Natural family planning (NFP) is a non-hormonal form of birth control that many women use today. It is based on scientific research and is proven to be just as effective as the pill when administered correctly. This is because once a women learns how her body responds to ovulation, she can predict when her fertile days are and thus abstain from sexual intercourse on those days. The signs of fertility include tracking cervical mucus and taking a consistent basal body temperature. Below is a basic overview of natural birth control planning.
Tracking Cervical Mucus for Birth Control
A woman’s body undergoes several changes during her fertile period, and one of these is the change in the consistency of cervical mucus. Also known as the ovulation method, checking for cervical mucus on a consistent basis is a highly effective form of natural birth control.
After a woman has finished menstruation, her vagina becomes dry for a couple of days. Then, a mucus begins to appear. It is usually sticky at first before developing into a wetness. Her "peak day" is during the last day of wetness, and it normally coincides with the timing of ovulation.
A woman is considered fertile during the wet periods and the four days following. She and her partner should abstain from sexual intercourse during this time to avoid a potential pregnancy. Since the mucus provides a place for sperm to live, and sperm can survive up to five days, it is best to abstain or use a back up method of birth control during these days.
Some women may experience their wet days during menstruation. If this occurs, she will likely notice a change in the consistency and texture of her bleeding if she has been using the method for a while. Most women with normal cycles will not experience this, however.
Basal Body Temperature as Natural Birth Control
Another form of natural birth control, which is often combined with the ovulation method, is recording basal body temperatures. A women using this method would record her basal body temperature at the same time every day before getting out of bed. She keeps track of it, and notes when an increase starts to occur.
Since the body temperature normally rises slightly after ovulation, a woman using this method would likely abstain from sexual intercourse from the end of her bleeding period to three days after the increase.
Several factors can affect the basal body temperature such as fever, sleeplessness and varying schedules.
Benefits of NFP
Aside from the non-hormonal aspect of NFP, there are many benefits women and couples can reap when using NFP as birth control. For example, NFP is free, so it is very cost effective for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on birth control.
It is also highly effective. Studies have shown that when used correctly, NFP can be as effective as the birth control pill in preventing pregnancy.
A woman using NFP also becomes more in tune with her body, allowing her to detect potential problems or achieve pregnancy quicker if that is the goal. Couples trying to conceive can use this method to become pregnant by deliberately timing sexual intercourse during the woman’s fertile period.
NFP Birth Control
Women who elect to use NFP will check their cervical mucus and/or her basal body temperature every day to help prevent unplanned pregnancies from occurring. It is a free, and a easy method of natural birth control based on scientific research and is effectively used by many couples today. Take a class or speak with a health and fertility professional for more information.
Sources
Birth Control Comparison, "Fertiloty Awareness" (February 25, 2010)
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, "Natural Family Planning" (February 25, 2010)
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "Natural Family Planning" (February 25, 2010)
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