#NFPWeek discourse no one wants: Here's a not-gross VERY basic intro to NFP.

NFP, also called FAM or fertility awareness methods, are ways to observe a woman's fertility. You use that info to get pregnant or avoid/delay pregnancy.

There are many different methods of NFP/FAM. /1
Different methods have women gather different kinds of data. Some of it is quantitative (like temperature), some is qualitative (you use adjectives, can be a bit more subjective). Not all methods are created equal, and a method may work for one person and not another. /2
All methods ask you to make observations basically every day, sometimes multiple times a day. You record your results, usually on a chart, and use your method's rules to figure out the pattern of your fertility. Men are always fertile. Women are not always fertile. /3
Some methods use quantitative data (temperature only methods, Marquette). Some only use qualitative data (Creighton, Billings). Some use a combination of both (Sympto-Thermal, Boston Cross Check). Some are better for more complex cases (postpartum, PCOS, etc). /4
Some methods are low cost (buy a basal thermometer and you're good to go etc). Others require regular supplies every cycle (test strips, proprietary charting supplies etc).

Learning a method can have significant costs (class, instructor fees) too. /5
Some methods are more accurate than others, and some methods will be more accurate for some people but not others.

Using FAM/NFP requires real discipline and a serious investment. It can be difficult to get the hang of it. Couples need serious support to be successful. /6
It usually takes multiple months to learn a method. The big key is to figure out what is normal for *you,* what *your* body is doing, and use that data to make good decisions. Lots of factors can impact what's going on, because (spoiler alert), women's bodies are not robots. /7
NFP/FAM is science. You gather data, record it, and draw conclusions. It can take the discipline of a good scientist in order for it to work the way it's supposed to.

This ain't the rhythm method. /8
A method is only as effective as how well you follow it. Even artificial birth control has "perfect use" vs "typical use" failure rates. Different methods have different failures rates, anywhere from over 80% to around 99% effective. /9
"Method failure" pregnancies are definitely a thing. They're rare, but they happen. Being open to that possibility is part of the mindset that makes NFP/FAM methods work well with Catholic teaching, even if you're following strict "avoid pregnancy" protocol. /10
The best way to learn a method is to have an instructor, or take a class. Sometimes you'll also need an instructor to help interpret your chart later on, and sometimes those extra consults cost extra.

One silver lining of Coronatide is there are more online instructors! /End
There. Not gross, very basic NFP Intro.

Didn't event mention eggs. Until now. You're welcome. 😂
PS: I can't talk about NFP and not mention @SimchaFisher's Sinner's Guide to NFP. It's a great in the trenches pastoral reflection type of book, faithful to the Church while not shying away from how difficult it can be.
You can follow @stinekey.
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