Natural Family Planning (or not planning)

[Sunny Sunshine]

So with all the talk of birth control, I wanted to see how many other ladies used natural ways of protecting against having children.

I went off BC pill about a year an a half ago, but we weren't ready to have kids yet. So I started looking into ways to keep track of my cycle and ensure that we wouldn't be having any little Travis and Tiffanys running around. I was told about a book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". It's a great book that helps you learn about the ways that your body works naturally and how to track your cycle.

Through that I also found a website called Fertility Friend (www.fertilityfriend.com) It's a website where you can keep track of your cycle (ovulation and luteal phases) by simply taking your temp every morning and few other simple things. It's amazing to learn so much about how my body works when it comes to my cycle. There's a thermal shift in your body after you ovulate, and it's really cool to see it transpire on the screen. You have graphs and it keeps your history so you can go back to look at the different cycles you've had to see if your body is being consistent or even if not, how it's varying each month.

I just thought I'd throw this out there. I hated being on BC. I was on it from 15 to 23. And I just sick of what it was doing to my body. If anyone else looks into this, great. If not, well I put it out there :)

[Sunny Sunshine]

Here's an example of a chart. It's so cool to actually see the shift

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ChartGalleryCache/chart98890-0.png?k=2225293;1234623923;1;cbc3c01035be030e65d16 9aaeb7cba57

[Erinisme]

not to know it, but my aunt got pregnant twice using this method. she got prego the day before her period started, and the day it ended.

She also got pregnant using a diapram, and a condom broke on her...she now has 4 kids (under the age of 10)and only planned on 1

[Nevrmore]

not to know it, but my aunt got pregnant twice using this method. she got prego the day before her period started, and the day it ended.

She also got pregnant using a diapram, and a condom broke on her...she now has 4 kids (under the age of 10)and only planned on 1


Our joke was always "you know what you call people who use NFP?" Parents! :funny1:

[Sunny Sunshine]

It's pretty simple to avoid having sex, or use condoms, when you're ovulating. Maybe when I'm done having kids, I'll worry about it more. But we've been okay so far, and hopefully we'll be lucky when it comes time to start trying :)

[Erinisme]

yes, but it's not 100% . My aunt got pregnant way after she had ovulated, and a few days before as well.

If it's working for you, go for it, but others should be aware that it's not fool proof, and your body can do som tricky things.

[Mama Kel]

I used the basal thermometer to get preggo both times & my cycle is all screwed up. It definitely works.

My cousin has used it for years to plan & avoid pregnancy. And successfully.

[HoopsTer]

I havent taken birth control since I was 27. I am 34 now. I just use cycle beads and condoms.

[little frog]

thank you for this info tiffany :) i'm looking into all natural methods at this point.

[Erinisme]

what are cycle beads?

[sarah b.]

you put 'em on the spokes of the wheels on your bike. jk :)
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[Wende]

yes, but it's not 100% . My aunt got pregnant way after she had ovulated, and a few days before as well.

If it's working for you, go for it, but others should be aware that it's not fool proof, and your body can do som tricky things.

so she tells you all this stuff. Who knows, she most likely was not very thorough with her methods. And telling people that she got prego 4 times while using natual methods sounds kind of like a justification. I'm sorry, but listening and knowing your body 100% is almost fail proof. There are so many factors though, I understand, but if you are good to your body and if you take the time to learn ... being 100% thorough. Your chances are as good as those chemicals out there. We have become such lazy creatures that turning to a pill or some other form of chemical just so we don't have to do any of the work. Bla~ and I say we as in me too. Not judging here, just laying it down in a way that'll probably get me beat up. :lol:

Tiffany, thanks a TON for this info. LOVE IT!!

[HoopsTer]

what are cycle beads?


From their website:

"CycleBeads are a color-coded string of beads that represent a woman's menstrual cycle. Each bead represents a day of the cycle and the color helps a woman to determine if she is likely to be fertile that day."

http://www.cyclebeads.com/

Now they're coming in designer colors :funny1:
I want the aqua ones now!

[Jersey Thug]

i stopped using hormonal birth control methods in my mid-twenties after trying a few different methods that all had adverse effects on my body, mind and sex drive.

i use condoms and natural planning, now. when i'm ovulating (or right before/after) we forgo penetrative sex in lieu of other things. but we LIKE other things ( :lol: ) so that's not really such a hardship.

i think it's ridiculous to put myself at risk for complications or deal with the daily side effects of hormonal bc just to avoid pregnancy. worse things can happen. it's been 10 years or more since i made this choice and i haven't regretted it once...nor has it failed me.

i do look into new options as they become available. just...i haven't seen one that tempts me even a little, yet. not once i do some reading up, at least. it amazes me the things people are willing to risk, sometimes.

oh and i want cycle beads. aqua ones :lol:

[HoopsTer]

mine are just varying shades of brown. lame!

I saw rainbow ones at nature's corner!!! :crazy:

I'm takin back the rainbow.

[Jersey Thug]

ooh...i want rainbow!!! :crazy:

seriously. i will probably be driving through this weekend, but it'll be after hours. maybe next weekend, after the Plunge???

[Ginger Snap]

I was in a relationship the last five years and we used the pullout method. It didn't fail, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for everyone. But I'm single now, and use nuva ring. It's a cinch and a very low dose of hormones because it is concentrated right where it needs to be. And if you've had enough, pull it out, and you can become pregnant within a couple weeks. So far I'm pretty happy with it.

[HoopsTer]

ooh...i want rainbow!!! :crazy:

seriously. i will probably be driving through this weekend, but it'll be after hours. maybe next weekend, after the Plunge???

The Asbury Park polar bear plunge thingy?
I wish I could talk Stephen into doing that with me. :lol:

[Jersey Thug]

YES that one. i'm Plunge-ing for the first time this year. it's Jason's 10th anniversary.

you should do it anyway! :)

ooh, that reminds me. i should probably put a thread up on the family board grovelling for sponsors. i suck at that, but it IS for a good cause so i should at least try :blush: :lol:

[HoopsTer]

If Taraleigh can jump into Lake Champlain in VT after a backhoe chipped away 6+ inches of ice, you can totally jump into the ocean in NJ! :lol:

is it on the 28th?...if so, I totally can't. :sad: I am doing the Day of Dance 2009 - teaching a hoop workshop at the Paramus mall. :funny1:

[Jersey Thug]

i know right?

and yes, the 28th...too bad! have fun with the bighairs though :lol: :lol: :lol:

[musicmomma]

i know right?

and yes, the 28th...too bad! have fun with the bighairs though :lol: :lol: :lol:

:spank:

[Ginger Snap]

YES that one. i'm Plunge-ing for the first time this year. it's Jason's 10th anniversary.

you should do it anyway! :)

ooh, that reminds me. i should probably put a thread up on the family board grovelling for sponsors. i suck at that, but it IS for a good cause so i should at least try :blush: :lol:

Aren't you in PR? I would think findng sponsors would be right up your alley.

[Jersey Thug]

this is different, somehow.

it doesn't have to make sense. it just is :lol:

[yummy_taraleigh]

It is awesome jumping into freezing cold water....it's actually not that bad. You are only cold for a second:)

I use the methods taught in the taking charge of your fertility and it has worked. I don't track things as good as I should, but with my body it's obvious when I'm ovulating. I have been doing it for more than a year and a half.

[JamOnIt247]

I was in a relationship the last five years and we used the pullout method. It didn't fail, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for everyone. But I'm single now, and use nuva ring. It's a cinch and a very low dose of hormones because it is concentrated right where it needs to be. And if you've had enough, pull it out, and you can become pregnant within a couple weeks. So far I'm pretty happy with it.

After getting prego on bc pills, ended up using the pull out method for over 9 years!! I'm certainly not going to do that now because at this time in my life I dont want my S.O. to EVER pull out!! :lol: :devil:

Thanks for all this info and advice everyone! Very helpful!!

[fire_rocket]

After getting prego on bc pills, ended up using the pull out method for over 9 years!! I'm certainly not going to do that now because at this time in my life I dont want my S.O. to EVER pull out!! :lol: :devil:

Thanks for all this info and advice everyone! Very helpful!!

I hate the pullout method. I'd rather resort to *gasp* condoms than do that.

[musicmomma]

i feel the same way sara... i'm getting my iud as soon as i have health insurance again and am gonna go on the pill just until i get some sort of cycle back and can chart. i really don't want to get pregnant again... i don't think. :undecided:

[fire_rocket]

i feel the same way sara... i'm getting my iud as soon as i have health insurance again and am gonna go on the pill just until i get some sort of cycle back and can chart. i really don't want to get pregnant again... i don't think. :undecided:

So you're probably not ready to do anything permanent if you're not sure, right? As soon as we know we're done Bill is getting a vasectomy. I loved my IUD once it was in, but not sure if I'll go that route again or not. Good luck with that once you get insurance again! :heart:

[musicmomma]

but how will you know you're done sara? :undecided:

[Wende]

WHen you can't afford to feed anymore. :lol:

[fire_rocket]

but how will you know you're done sara? :undecided:

I don't know... :lol: Bill says we're done after this one, but I'm not ruling anything out at this point (especially if we have another girl). We did have a lot more worries and scares with #2 which turns Bill off to doing it again. :huh: We'll see what happens after #2!

[musicmomma]

see, my thoughts exactly sara.. i might be done now, but who is to say i won't want another in a few years? i had some serious issues after birth with serena and then lyndsay but am aware of them for future possible pregnancies.

[JamOnIt247]

Oooooh momma.. I can totally see you having another one! :heart: But that's just me dear. :kissing: Hope things become clearer for you! Love you darlin pies.

[wabbit]

I totally want another baby.. I am not sure if there would be more after that, my guess is 2 is the limit. I am sick of birth control though, I am thinking of maybe getting "fixed" after my next child.. I don't want to take the pill, watch a calendar, etc.. it would be easy to just not have to think about it anymore!

[Wende]

It's much easier for him to get fixed. He is in and out of the office in less than an hour.

[fire_rocket]

It's much easier for him to get fixed. He is in and out of the office in less than an hour.

Exactly!!! And after carrying and birthing the babies I think it's only fair. :wink:

The day I had my IUD put in (it was quite painful) I was laying on that table and thinking about how he was SOOO getting a vasectomy when it was time. :lol:

[wabbit]

I thought of that, but I want to have my next baby at the same hospital (Al works there, I love them, love, love, love the facility and my obgyn, etc...) and they don't normally do vbac.. I am totally ok with having another c if that is what will give me a happy and healthy baby.. so, if I have a c, I will ask them to do it while they are already in there.. if I get to have vbac, then I will *make* my hubby go in for his own procedure!!

[Wende]

TOtally makes sense.

[musicmomma]

so i go tomorrow morning at 1145 to have my iud out. i'm very nervous about bc afterwards but am not going to do anything hormonal at the moment. i'm really going to try charting but not having had a period in forever makes it a bit hard at first. :undecided:

[Ginger Snap]

Good luck today momma. :heart:

[KindGeeGirl]

Good luck MOMMA :heart:

I did timing and condoms for a little while a long time ago. Actually only no condoms just during my period. It worked for a little while and well have you met my son Jonah? He will be 12 in a few weeks ;)

[Spiffy]

good luck missy...i tried calling you a few times today, hope you got my messages :heartbounce:

[musicmomma]

Good luck MOMMA :heart:

I did timing and condoms for a little while a long time ago. Actually only no condoms just during my period. It worked for a little while and well have you met my son Jonah? He will be 12 in a few weeks ;)

exactly what i'm afraid of... i was told i couldn't have babies, have you watched that video you have of my girls recently? :wink:

[musicmomma]

Good luck today momma. :heart:

thanks love. :heart: i'll be in touch during the day. mike is coming with me since he really has no work to do but i'm also hoping doc won't think i'm crazy if mike is there to back me up, lol. i'm also hoping doc will remind mike how much easier the snip is than me having to worry about getting pregnant.
truthfully, the reason he and my mom are so against me having more kids is due to the clotting issues i had after birth's 2+3 but i truly think the iud had something to do with it. i spent a good amount of time last night reading about TTA on the fertility boards but won't be able to do it naturally for at least a few months i would guess. :undecided:

[musicmomma]

good luck missy...i tried calling you a few times today, hope you got my messages :heartbounce:

thanks hun, i saw you called this morning when i woke up. i will listen to your messages in a few minutes and text you when i get out of the office.

[musicmomma]

any of you ever see, use, or know someone that uses this? :huh: http://www.femcap.com/

[JamOnIt247]

:heartbounce: :heartbounce: :heartbounce:

({({({({({({(My Sweet Beautious Momma)})})})})})})

Hope your appointment goes great and you end up going to the beach to hang with the love muffins and wear your new skirt. :lol:
Love ya womanhead. :kissing:

[JamOnIt247]

any of you ever see, use, or know someone that uses this? :huh: http://www.femcap.com/

Wow.. Im not so sure about that. Looks sort of...BIG! :lol:
but what do I know!? :dunno:

[musicmomma]

its actually really small.. its like thimble sized.

[Wende]

Wow. Thats quite the picture then. :lol: I thought the same things with size.

I had my IUD out in Nov. the whole rest of the day I was like "I can't believe it's not in me anymore" "Whoooooohoooooo" It was neat.

[musicmomma]

have either of you ever seen the size of a diaphragm ? :shocked:

[Wende]

actually, no

[musicmomma]

do a quick google search... femcap is so much smaller. but here's to hoping i'm not gonna have to worry about it much longer. :smile:

[Jersey Thug]

for the time being, this might be useful:

http://www.vcf-contraceptive.com/sample.asp

i just started using VCF at the recommendation of a fellow she-boardie. it's still not ideal, but so much better than any alternative i've found thus far.

(((she-boardie)))

though i may look into FemCap the next time i'm at my doctor's office. just a little hesitant because of the way i'm built...i'm worried J will be able to feel it/get rubbed the wrong way by it. but nothing ventured nothing gained i guess? :huh:

sigh...bc can suck it. i'm 36, i know i don't want kids, and if i did want them i'd adopt anyway due to genetic concerns...why won't they just tie my tubes already??? :bang:

[Wende]

They won't, even at 36? That's kind of stupid.

[musicmomma]

thuggie, i have a few samples of that film here already, and actually its the first ever form of bc that i used. i'm just SO glad its out. :smile:

[JamOnIt247]

did he have any suggestions for you as far as bc is concerned momma?

[lil pixi]

http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/how-to-prepare-your-body-to-get-pregnant/ :heart:

[JamOnIt247]

http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/how-to-prepare-your-body-to-get-pregnant/ :heart:

Um, thanks hun but most people in this thread are trying NOT to get prego! :lol:

[lil pixi]

I know Tiff, like me, has been thinking about it a lot over the past few years, so yes, I did pretty much skip ahead & assumed she wanted to start trying. :lol:

It IS good advice for any woman to know for future reference, imo.
Never too early to know the best ways to treat your body.

It was just apparently placed in the wrong thread. :lol:

[Wende]

Yea, totally. :lol:

[musicmomma]

i'm on my way out the door to go buy a new copy of TCOYF cause i can't find mine. then off to cvs for a basal thermometer and some condoms for until i have tracking under my belt. lol. :funny1: one night of no sex was enough for me... poor guy is so scared of me getting pregnant he just disappeared on me last night. :heart:

[lil pixi]

Yea, totally. :lol:

I think it is pretty funny, though, my freshly woken, baby crazy brain saw Tiff's name & the words family planning & was like "Okay, this is what you wanna do." :crazy: :lol:

Sorry, Tiff. :funny1: Lemme know when you do need that link, K. :tongue1: :lol: :heart:

[Wende]

:lol: I think it's cute, you're young and panging.

[lil pixi]

Panging is almost an understatement. :lol:

:heart: Born to be a Mommy :heart: