Natural Family Planning (NFS)

Joshany ClarkeYaceli Moh

What is NFS? Fertility awareness aka Natural Family

Planning is a collection of methods using your body’s natural and normal functioning to determine the days of the month you are most likely to get pregnant.

Natural Family Planning is a method of birth control that does not use any drugs or devices. It combines the calendar/rhythm method, the basal body temperature method, and the cervical mucus method.

Used both as a means of preventing pregnancy as well as targeting the most fertile time for getting pregnant.

How Does Fertility Awareness Work?

The calendar; basal body temperature; and cervical mucus methods are combined to give you the awareness of when your body is most fertile. As you become familiar with your body’s ovulation and fertile periods, it provides you the opportunity to abstain from sexual intercourse or use a barrier method during that time.

How Do You Use Fertility Awareness?

First of all become familiar with your menstrual cycle and to begin charting your fertility pattern.

The average menstrual cycle is between 28 to 32 days, however there are two parts related to your cycle: before ovulation and after ovulation.

Day 1: The first day of your menstrual flow is the beginning of your cycle.

Day 7: By day seven your egg is preparing to be fertilized by sperm.

Days 11-21: (based on 28-day cycle) Hormones in your body cause the egg to be released from the ovary around this time. This process is known as ovulation. The egg travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm penetrates the egg, the fertilized egg will attach to the lining of the uterus and begin to grow. If fertilization does not happen the egg breaks apart.

Day 28: Hormone levels drop around this day causing the lining of the uterus to be shed making up your menstrual flow.

Calendar Tracking Method

Step 1: Plan on tracking your menstrual cycle for 8 to 12 months.

Step 2: Day 1 will be the first day you start menstruation. Step 3: Pick the longest and shortest of the cycles from

your monthly tracking. Step 4: The first day of your fertility period is determined

by subtracting 18 days from the length of your shortest cycle. If 26 days was your shortest menstrual cycle, take 26 and subtract 18 to come up with the number 8. This means that the first day of your fertility window starts on the 8th day of your cycle.

Step 5: The last fertile day is determined by subtracting 11 from the length of your longest cycle. If 32 days was your longest menstrual cycle, take 32 and subtract 11 to reach the number 21. This means that the last day of your fertility period ends on the 21st day of your cycle.

Basal Body Temperature Method

Step 1: Take your temperature orally each morning before you become active.

Step 2: Use a basal thermometer which recognizes small changes in your temperature. Your body temperature will only rise between 0.4and 1 degree Fahrenheit when you ovulate. Buy a Basal Thermometer Now.

Step 3: Record you temperature every day on your fertility tracking calendar.

Cervical Mucus Method Step 1: Collect the mucus from the vaginal

opening with your fingers by wiping them from front to back.

Step 2: Record it daily on your fertility calendar by making note of the colour (yellow, white, clear or cloudy), the consistency (thick, sticky, or stretchy) and the feel (dry, wet, sticky, slippery, stretchy).

Step 3: Ovulation is recorded on the day that your mucus is clearest, slippery and most stretchy.

How Effective Is NFS? When fertility awareness is used

correctly and consistently, it may reach effective rates around 90%.

Typical use, which refers to the average use, shows a failure rate of approx. 25%. If you are committed to tracking and recording your fertility information, you can achieve much higher success rates.

Side Effects Or Health Risks Of NFS?

There are no health risks or side effects associated with Natural Family Planning.

Is Fertility Awareness Reversible?

Yes. Fertility awareness does not have any effects on the male or female reproductive functioning. Pregnancy is possible immediately following the practice of fertility awareness.

 Pros And Cons Of Fertility Awareness?

The Pros of Fertility Awareness include:› Effective when used correctly and consistently› No side effects› Immediate reversibility› Inexpensive or free› No devices, no drugs, no prescriptionsor office visits› Does not contain estrogen which mayincrease the risk of heart

problems› Acceptable for couples who have religious concerns relatedto

contraception› Effective for couples who are preventing or trying to

getpregnant. The Cons of Fertility Awarenessinclude:

› Requires diligence from both partners› Requires periods of abstinence or backupcontraception for

approximately 1/3 of the month› Requires consistent and accurate recordkeeping› More challenging for women with irregularcycles