What exactly is Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a term for certain methods of fertility regulation that are used to achieve pregnancy or to postpone or avoid pregnancy when necessary. These methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s cycle. These natural signs include the changing cervical mucus pattern used alone or in conjunction with the rise in the basal body temperature. Couples using NFP to postpone or avoid pregnancy identify their fertility and abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the cycle. Couples using NFP to achieve pregnancy identify and take advantage of the most fertile time in the cycle. NFP always upholds the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage. NFP promotes an openness to life, acknowledges God as the Creator and recognizes the valuable gift of the child. Isn’t NFP just the same as the old Rhythm Method? No, the Rhythm or Calendar method was in use mo
