The natural family planning method I'm going to speak on is for the Creighton Model. You probably will at some point click on that link and think, "Geeze, that website needs to be updated" and that is probably true. However, don't "judge a book by it's cover." The important thing is that there is quality in this birth control method and that is what matters most. So, let's dive in! These are my top 7 reasons to ditch the birth control and use natural family planning (NFP):
ZERO Side Effects
The biggest complaint I hear and read about are the side effects women get from taking birth control. Unfortunately, many women don't even realize that they get the side effects or that their side effects are because of hormonal birth control. This fertility awareness method allows you to be you. There's not the list of side effects that birth control comes with and many times are overlooked or unspoken by both the consumer and medical expert. Every woman has her own reasons or medical conditions for taking the pill or other form of birth control, and that is her decision. For me, I did not find it worthwhile to take. Why would I want to put something in me that would take control of my mood? Why would I want something inside me that would fluctuate my weight? Why would I want to take something that would not allow my body do what it is made to do?
2. Track YOUR cycle
A flaw with all the apps is that it is very generic. It's been awhile since I've used the ovulation/period tracker apps, and I'm sure many have changed since I used them, but I remember how a generic number of days for all parts of my cycle was automatically created. Even when I made adjustments no other parts of the cycle was changed. I found myself in my twenties pretty much blindly using it thinking that all the features of a new period tracker was a hit and it was covering all these "symptoms" I thought was preparing me for what I needed to know next.
Like I've said before, we're not all the same and we shouldn't have to track exactly the same. I'm able to use my chart and it's all about me. Since I've been charting for a few years now, I know exactly when to expect my next period and it's not a specific date either. I know my average post-peak phase. I know when to expect my fertile days. I'm tracking MY cycle.
3. Easy to Use
One thing you're probably wondering is if this is going to be ONE more thing to do on top of the hundreds of other things you already have to do in your life. ABSOLUTELY NOT! You're actually already doing it, but you aren't paying attention to it. If you're like me the more easy and simple it is, then I'm down to try it.
"Omg! I was suppose to take it at 3:00PM and it's 3:00:45!"You won't even have to worry about what time it is to make sure it's done at a certain time, which I know is a common complaint for women who take birth control. You won't have to worry about this at all. On top of that, there's only one observational routine you have to look for and that is your cervical mucus. Other fertility awareness methods make you take your temperature. Sometimes it's take your temperature before you get out of bed. I'm one of those that tends to hit the snooze button down to the last minute before I'm late to work, so I'm glad I don't have to deal with that. (I have about 5 alarms or so to get me up - what about you?) Now that I have a baby, I really need that extra minute of sleep!
4. You DECIDE when to ACHIEVE or AVOID PREGNANCY
This is probably the number one thing females are concerned about when taking or looking for a birth control method. With the Creighton Model, I know exactly what days I am fertile or non-fertile. There is a big misconception that if you decide to be intimate you're going to get pregnant. This is far from the truth. There's very few days that a female is actually fertile, which means all those other days are impossible for you to get pregnant. Especially in this day in age where women are now pushing marriage and family planning later on in life, this natural birth control allows you to do all of that. Does this speak "feminist" ideals? I think so.
As a millennial myself, I wanted to have a career and get my masters before even thinking about having a family of my own. On top of that, I wanted to spend a few years just as husband and wife before having kids. The Creighton Model allowed us...me to do this.
You're also probably wondering, how accurate does the Creighton Model actually avoid pregnancy? I encourage you to click this link and read on the effectiveness. With my few years being comfortable using the method, I would say the effectiveness rate is 100% accurate. As long as your committed and consistent, you'll be able to avoid a pregnancy. On the other end, if you are looking to achieve pregnancy, it can definitely happen; again, as long as you have a good understanding of cervical mucus. (Choose your GIF below)
4. TWO-WAY communication & support
Unlike birth control where the female is the one taking full ownership of ensuring she has to take the contraceptive, get the contraceptive, and purchase the contraceptive, the Creighton Model is about a partnership - which it SHOULD be! This doesn't mean that if you aren't in an intimate relationship with someone that you can't use it, but even if you are you understand that sex involves you and someone else. It's a mutual agreement and this agreement should fully involve both parties understanding of when to be sexually active if you are choosing to avoid a pregnancy.
As you can tell, this involves communication! This is one of the biggest and most important part of a relationship. Why not add fertility topics to the many other things you talk to your partner about? This is probably as important as figuring out what to eat ( you know what I'm talking about!!!).
My husband helps chart and is involved in the process. Many males take on the role of charting while the female does the observations (for obvious reasons) when using the Creighton Model. This helps them develop a better understanding of you and they start picking up on patterns of your cycle (and you know..."go time").
One other thing that is pretty important in charting is that they can help identify if you were stressed that day, which can affect your cycle, and make note of that if you didn't notice it yourself.
The Creighton Model helps you and your partner develop a better bond, because you're both involved in the charting process and you have to communicate the most fertile sign of the day. Also, there's something called SPICE. I'll save that for another time, but it is incredibly important in strengthening your marriage/relationship.
5. AFFORDABLE
Meeting with an NFP teacher could range from $20-$65 depending on what you need to meet with them about. Appointments could be to actually follow-up on your understanding of the method (the more "costly" side) or just to check-in on your charting. When you first start, you meet more frequently and appointments are more spread out, as far as 6 months or 1 year, when you feel like you reached comfort with the method. Originally, I charted on a specific form using tracking stickers and that was around $5 for both the chart and stickers and you basically purchase as you needed more. They recently created an app that you could chart online, which I've been using for about a year now. It's $5 a month and a $10 to start fee. Even if you decide to stop using the virtual version you still have access to your charts. I'd say this is easy on the pockets!
6. CERTIFIED instructor
I feel this is an important part of FAM and NFP. With the Creighton Model, the instructors or practitioners go through training and testing before teaching or becoming practitioners. In turn you are provided the tools and knowledge needed for understanding your cycle by professionals. Additionally, they are available to answer any questions or concerns you have. I can honestly say that with the apps I used before using NFP it was just me and my minimal knowledge of my cycle. You can see that if I went off of my own judgment I wouldn't be making the right decisions for the day. I'm so thankful for them! I've already had 2 NFPCP (Natural Family Planning Certified Practitioners) and they've both been easy to talk to and make themselves available. (Side note: I had 2 because my first one decided to move-on from teaching NFP and moved out of town).
Another reason why they're important is that they can help identify if you might have some unusual fertility or cyclical issues, and then refer you to a specialist or help you make note of it for when you have an appointment with a doctor. My current instructor is a former nurse, so that is one of the pluses I considered when I was looking into a new NFPCP.
I am not a professional Creighton Model practitioner or instructor. For any information you need please visit here.
Read my personal journal to using Natural Family Planning!