Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancy. It is not contraception.
NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving (unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they support God’s design for married love!
In NFP both husband and wife are taught to understand and live God’s design for married love – this will give them countless blessings! NFP methods promote a holistic approach to family planning which both respects procreation and has the potential to deepen the intimacy of husband and wife. NFP methods support reproductive health. They are good for the body. For the woman, NFP charting can even assist in the diagnosis of underlying medical problems. And, if a couple find they are having trouble conceiving, NFP information can help them pinpoint the most fertile time of the wife’s cycle. The natural methods have none of the harmful side effects caused by contraception, especially chemical contraceptives (e.g. pill, injection, etc.). NFP methods can be marriage strengthening because it relies on couple communication and behavior change. When living the NFP lifestyle, husband and wife learn that they have a shared responsibility for safeguarding God’s gift of human sexuality, marriage and family. They also grow in their understanding of God’s will for their family size. NFP has the potential to make a good marriage great!
Couples participating in Christ Cathedral’s Marriage Preparation Course are required to complete NFP Basics and an NFP Method Course and submit the Certificates of Completion to their Coach Couple.
- NFP Basics (https://nfpbasics.com)
- NFP Basics is a 3-part program with an online video, survey, and coaching session with an NFP consultant who can guide you to an NFP Method that fits with your lifestyle and budget.
- A Certificate of Completion is provided at the end of the program.
- The cost of this program is included with the Marriage Preparation Course fees.
- NFP Method Course
- Couples must complete NFP Basics before enrolling in an NFP Method Course.
- When registering for an NFP Method Course, do not choose another introductory course to NFP that has already been covered by NFP Basics.
- The cost of the NFP Method Course must be paid by the couple and is not included with the Marriage Preparation Course fees.
- Contact [email protected] if enrolling in a USCCB-approved NFP Method Course not listed below.
| Mucus-only NFP Methods | Link to Course | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Billings Ovulation Method | BOMA-USA (https://boma-usa.org/en/product/fertility-101-full-course/) | $200 |
| Creighton Model | Creighton Model (https://www.fertilitycare.org/creighton-model-system/) | Cost varies by clinic |
| FEMM Health | LJI FEMM (https://ljifemm.my.canva.site) | Cost varies by format (in-person, virtual, individual, group) |
| Sympto-Thermal NFP Methods | Link to Course | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Couple to Couple League | Couple to Couple League (https://learnnfp.org/product/ccl-nfp-class/) | $170.00 – $225.00 |
| Sympto-Pro Fertility Education | English: (https://enroll.symptopro.org/courses/symptopro-fertility-education) Spanish: (https://enroll.symptopro.org/courses/symptopro-educacion-de-la-fertilidad-en-espanol) | $150 |