Too often NFP is discredited as an outdated, ineffective way to help with family planning.  NFP has come so far and is now used to do so much more than just track a women's cycle to tell her when she can get pregnant (which it can and accurately does too!).  The medical field now recognizes that a woman's cycle can provide so much information about her that is a considered one of her vital signs.

So what is NFP (Fertility Awareness Based Methods)?

• Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for all methods of family planning which take into account the natural rhythms of a couple's fertility and use that information to either achieve or avoid a pregnancy (Pearl & Thistle). 
  • MORAL- in line with Catholic Church teaching 
  • SAFE- no risk of side-effects 
  • EFFECTIVE- rivals or exceeds other methods of family planning which are not approved by the Church 
  • TRUE FAMILY PLANNING- allows couples to achieve or avoid pregnancy
• Nothing is done before, during, or after an act of intercourse to alter its natural potential to create life
• Check out these additional 10 Reasons to use NFP 

What are NFP methods?

• NFP charts the woman's cycle by looking at different "biomarkers" to identify three different phases that every women goes through each month.
  • The most common biomarker women chart is her menstraul cycle which identifies the beginning of the cycle.
  • Ovulation is the most important part of the woman's cycle.  Ovulation is necessary in order for the woman to become pregnant.
    
    • There are many ways to help a woman identify when she might be ovulating.  Different NFP methods use different markers to help identify ovulation. Some of these markers include: a change in the woman's temperature, the presence of fertile mucus when she uses the restroom, a shift in hormones she identifies by the use of test strips throughout the month.
• List of different NFP methods and the biomarkers they use

Charting your cycles at any age or stage can be beneficial, not just for married couples. Charting can help identify hormones that are causing depression, miscarriages, heavy bleeding, and more! Click the links below for more information, instructors, physicians, and resources that can help women and couples at various stages of their fertility journeys:

NFP Instructors and Providers in the Archdiocese of Dubuque

Cycle Awareness for Girls (Ages 8-11)

Cycle Charting for Girls (Preteens and Teens)

Cycle Charting for Single Women (Ages 18+)

Married Women (Newlyweds-Perimenopause)

For any questions regarding NFP, charting your cycles, or general information, contact one of our NFP Ambassadors listed below.

FORMED.org is a new online resource with a lot of different Catholic programs, movies, books, and talks, designed to be accessible anywhere at anytime (on smartphones, tablets and computers). This tool is open to ALL parishioners in the Spires of Faith Cluster.  All you have to do is sign-up and you'll be equipped to learn, experience, or even teach your Catholic faith in ways like never before. Start a group or a bible study, and watch any number of catechetical videos provided through this website. It's that easy. It's all there. And it's all free. Sign-up today!

HOW TO SIGN-UP:

1. Follow the link to formed.org
2. Find St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville (All cluster parishes are under this name)
3. Follow the instructions and Register
4. Explore, Learn, or Teach;
    (Return often with your email and password.)

The Spires of Faith offers small Faith Sharing Groups throughout our parishes in order to provide parishioners with the beautiful opportunity to grow in knowledge of their faith and in Christ centered relationships with others. We are a communion of persons called to build up the Body of Christ together as one! Discipleship –really a Christ-centered friendship – is the method Jesus Christ chose to share the Gospel message with the world. His Great Commission extended not only to His Apostles, but to each Christian who would follow Him. He has called all of us to “go make disciples.” (Mt. 28:19-20)  We have a variety of Catholic Bible Studies that dive into the Word of God, help us to better understand the teachings of the Church, and the Goodness and love of God. Topics range from Sacraments in Scripture to Living out the Faith.

Many different studies and times to choose from. Give us a call to get connected!