NFP questions: WWYD?

Ever · #1 June 16th, 2011, 05:58 AM

How exactly is it done?? I've tried something like it before (I think?) where I'd keep track of my CM and temp changes every day and it worked for a long time, but then all of a sudden I ovulated when I wasn't expecting to and our daughter was conceived. It took us by surprise, a very happy one though, of course!

But my DH doesn't want to try that method anymore because we're not ready for more children just yet as our daughter is very delayed and is a handful. I don't like using contraception and I don't think it's right to use it. DH has a different opinion.

What would you do in a situation like that?

LJD3Tdance · #2 June 16th, 2011, 10:06 AM

I would get an instructor. I finally did and it has made me so much more confident in NFP.

And I'll end with some links that might help too.

The FAQ on the NFP forum:
http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f2...questions.html

The actual NFP forum:
Natural Family Planning and FAM - JustMommies Message Boards

ShawnaCAN · #3 June 16th, 2011, 03:20 PM

Ditto. Before making up your mind, I would consult an NFP instructor. You could take a refresher class in the type of NFP you were following before or try a different type of NFP. If at all possible, have your DH attend the class with you! It may help alleviate his anxiety about it if he can see how it all works. If both of you understand how to read the chart and how the rules work, there's a lot less room for error. Any instructor can also go over your pregnancy chart with you, to clear up anything you may have misunderstood at the time. That way NFP won't seem so scary going forward.

Even when ovulation happens earlier or later than usual, the NFP rules can account for that. It's simply a matter of learning the rules inside and out so you know how to use them any time you have a funky cycle.

rebecca0217 · #4 June 16th, 2011, 05:15 PM

One thing I would suggest to act as a backup or double protection kinda thing is getting an ovacue monitor. Now, it isn't cheap, especially when you get the vaginal sensor too, but it is supposed to give you a 7 days notice that you are entering your fertile period. You can look it up and see for yourself.

OvaCue Fertility Monitor: Ovulation Prediction Made Easy | Ovacue.com

ShawnaCAN · #5 June 16th, 2011, 09:33 PM

I would be cautious about using an OvaCue as back up. I've had two clients conceive while trying to avoid with that particular monitor.

rebecca0217 · #6 June 17th, 2011, 11:20 AM

What problems did they have with the monitor?
I noticed that for me I got 2 ovulation day messages, and when I went to the website it said that I was experiencing secondary fertility which meant my body was gearing up to O but something didn't happen right and then my body realized it didn't actually ovulate and it started the process over again. It means for me that my fertile window is longer than other women in that 7 days before my first message i am fertile but can also be fertile for a few days following that first message (I usually get the second message within a day or two after the first one). For best results you are supposed to use the oral sensor every day and the vaginal one everyday after the end of AF. The more conistent you are with it the better info it gives you. But this is the info I was given...I would be interested to hear what issues others encountered since it is meant really for couples ttc.

Ever · #7 June 17th, 2011, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the information! I'm going to talk to DH this weekend and see if I can get him on board with the idea and then I'll look at finding an instructor. My cycles are all over the place. I definitely need DH to talk to someone about it (if he agrees) because he's more than just a little freaked about the whole idea. But if I tell him the chances of conceiving are the same amount as with other forms of BC he might consider it.

LJD3Tdance · #8 June 17th, 2011, 01:17 PM

Let us know how the talk goes!

Ever · #9 June 17th, 2011, 01:25 PM

I will! Pray for me that it goes well!

ShawnaCAN · #10 June 17th, 2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebecca0217

What problems did they have with the monitor?

In both cases, it told them they had ovulated already - but they ovulated later later and conceived. Charting would have revealed that the first attempt at ovulation failed, so they would have known to keep following the pre-vulation rules for TTA. I had a third client who used the OvaCue in addition to her regular charting, just for extra confirmation. She noticed the same thing; the OvaCue would say she was past ovulation, but she knew from her chart that she wasn't yet. She was using both the oral and vaginal sensors. She did both charting and monitor for awhile, then sold the monitor to someone TTC.

I think the most important thing for TTA is to have a very solid understanding of a proven method of NFP (any type!). Like, let an instructor walk you through it until you are fully confident! Then if you want to use monitors, OPK's, etc as extra information - sure! But when there is doubt, the NFP rules should trump what the gadgets say. Even with the Marquette Model which does incorporate the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor - it's important to learn from one of their instructors.

Ever · #11 June 20th, 2011, 06:39 AM

Well I mentioned NFP to DH this weekend, told him why I'm interested in it although we never got a moment to really sit down and talk about it. But from what I told him he hasn't said he won't consider it. I think if I can get him to come talk to an instructor with me he might get on board. I'll have to talk more about it with him though so he really understands why I feel it's important for us to start.