Natural family planning refers to methods for planning and preventing pregnancies by observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile phases of the menstrual cycle. Intercourse is avoided during the fertile phase if pregnancy is not desired.

Advantages

• May strengthen the understanding, partnership and affection between husband and wife
• Easy to stop practicing once the couple wants to have another child
• No supplies or devices required; no procedures done
• No side effects
• Acceptable to the Catholic Church

Disadvantages (if you could call them that)

• Requires couples to avoid sex during the fertile days of the woman’s menstrual cycle if pregnancy is not desired
• Requires daily and close observation of what the woman feels in her body
• Effective only if there is correct interpretation of what the woman feels, her body temperature, physical symptoms, or quality of the cervical mucus discharge
• Needs the cooperation of the male partner

The four techniques of NFP are:

Cervical Mucus Method. This involves the daily observation and recording of the consistency of the mucus or cervical secretion. A feeling of wetness in the opening of the vagina during the phases of the menstrual cycle – the peak symptoms being a lubricant sensation and wet, stretchy mucus – signals the onset of ovulation; and the couple must abstain from intercourse during this period, if pregnancy is not desired.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT). This involves the daily recording of the temperature changes in the woman’s body. In recording her temperature, the woman needs at least three hours to continuous, uninterrupted sleep. She records her temperature at the same time every day before getting up or doing anything in the morning. A rise in the BBT may mean ovulation; and the couple should abstain from intercourse if pregnancy is not desired.

Sympto-Thermal. This is a combination of the cervical mucus and BBT methods and other physiological indicators of ovulation, such as tenderness of the breast and mid-cycle pain. This involves recording. If pregnancy is not desired, couples should abstain from intercourse until the third day of elevated temperature or the fourth day after the peak day of mucus, whichever comes first.

Breastfeeding or Lactational Amenorrhea (LAM). This is considered a natural contraceptive and is known to protect a woman from pregnancy for the six months after giving birth, depending on certain factors.

Breastfeeding is the main factor for delaying menstruation (lactational amerrhea). As the baby sucks, the nipples are stimulated, causing the woman’s body to produce prolactin, the hormone which induces milk flow.

Prolactin is also believed to suppress ovulation in the nursing mother, in addition to its main function or increasing the supply of the breast milk. Thus the more frequent and the longer the breastfeeding, the longer the delay of the menstrual period.

Breastfeeding provides 98 percent protection against another pregnancy only as long as:

• The baby is under six months old.
• The mother is fully breastfeeding, a minimum of six feedings during the day time and two night, and complete emptying of the breast during every feeding episode
• The mother is amenorrhoeic or has not experienced menstrual bleeding 56 days after delivery.

Breastfeeding also provides many other benefits. It is the best nutrition for infants. It lowers the incidence of infant diseases and deaths. It promotes bonding between the mother and child.