As Pope St. John Paul II said: “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”
Every year on July 20, communities around the world observe Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Day—a time to reflect on the natural, holistic, and ethical approach to family planning that respects both the human body and the dignity of life. Rooted in education, science, and a deep respect for human fertility, NFP is more than just a method of birth regulation; it is a lifestyle grounded in self-knowledge, responsibility, and communication.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a way for couples to plan or space their children by understanding a woman’s natural fertility cycle. Unlike artificial birth control, NFP respects the way God designed our bodies, making it a loving and faith-filled approach to family life.
NFP is based on observing the natural signs a woman’s body gives during her monthly cycle—like changes in temperature, cervical mucus, and other symptoms. By recognizing these signs, couples can prayerfully decide when to try for a baby or when to abstain if they are postponing pregnancy. Importantly, NFP does not use drugs, devices, or surgeries. It works with the body, not against it.
Here are the main methods in short:
1. Calendar (Rhythm) Method
- Based on the idea that ovulation usually occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle.
- Track your cycle for 6–12 months to predict fertile days.
- Avoid unprotected sex during fertile window (usually day 8 to 19).
- Best for women with very regular cycles.
2. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method
- Take your body temperature every morning before getting out of bed.
- A small rise in temperature (0.5–1°F) happens after ovulation.
- Avoid sex from menstruation until 3 days after temperature rise.
3. Cervical Mucus (Billings) Method
- Monitor daily vaginal discharge.
- During fertile days, mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy (like egg white).
- Avoid sex from the day mucus starts until 3 days after it returns to dry/sticky.
- Teaches you to read your body’s natural signs.
4. Symptothermal Method
- Combines BBT + Cervical Mucus + Calendar signs.
- Gives a more accurate picture of fertile and infertile days.
- May also include other signs, like mild ovulation pain or breast tenderness.
5. Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
- Works if all 3 conditions are true:
- Baby is less than 6 months old.
- Exclusive breastfeeding (day and night).
- Mother’s period has not returned.
- Up to 98% effective during this time.
Why Choose Natural Family Planning?
~It’s Natural – No side effects or hormones.
~It Respects God’s Design – Honors the way God created our bodies.
~It Builds Trust – Couples must talk, listen, and make decisions together.
~It’s Effective – When done correctly, NFP is highly effective for both achieving and avoiding pregnancy.
Practicing NFP isn’t always easy. It takes commitment, learning, and sacrifice. But these challenges often lead couples to grow stronger in faith and love. Many couples find that NFP leads them to pray more, communicate better, and see their marriage as a partnership with God.
Natural Family Planning is not just a method—it’s a lifestyle rooted in faith, love, and trust in God. It teaches couples to see fertility as a gift, not a problem, and to treat each other with deep respect.
As you consider how to grow your family, remember that God is with you every step of the way.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
– Dr. Divya Sophia Vaz