NFP & Pregnancy
Question
My wife and I have successfully been practicing NFP using the ovulation method both to achieve pregnancy (twice) and prevent it. My wife knows when she is ovulating not only because of the change in mucus, but also because of cramping she experiences during ovulation. What we are always concerned about when trying to prevent a pregnancy is the start of ovulation the day after intercourse. If she shows no signs of ovulation (i.e. she is dry), but begins to cramp the next day and show signs of ovulation is she likely to become pregnant?
Thank you,
Scott
Answer
Last Updated: June 14, 2013
Dear Scott,
This is a question often asked by couples using NFP. When there is a lack of mucus (dry day) sperm will survive only a few hours, maybe as short as 15 minutes. However when mucus is present and intercourse takes place, sperm can survive three to five days. If your wife is making good observations on a daily basis and she observes no mucus or feeling of lubrication, then by definition the day is infertile and available for intercourse. This may be more of a question of confidence especially when the method is being used to avoid a pregnancy. Couples often look at their fertile phases and discuss daily as they approach fertility their openness to pregnancy. This discussion can be helpful in not only building confidence, but identifying your feelings about the need to avoid a pregnancy at this time.
Winnie Neill, CFCP
This is a question often asked by couples using NFP. When there is a lack of mucus (dry day) sperm will survive only a few hours, maybe as short as 15 minutes. However when mucus is present and intercourse takes place, sperm can survive three to five days. If your wife is making good observations on a daily basis and she observes no mucus or feeling of lubrication, then by definition the day is infertile and available for intercourse. This may be more of a question of confidence especially when the method is being used to avoid a pregnancy. Couples often look at their fertile phases and discuss daily as they approach fertility their openness to pregnancy. This discussion can be helpful in not only building confidence, but identifying your feelings about the need to avoid a pregnancy at this time.
Winnie Neill, CFCP
Answered By:
Winnie Neill, CFCP
Winnie Neill, a Professional Member of CANFP, is a certified FertilityCare Practitioner, and taught NFP 23 years in the Sacramento region. She served on the Sacramento Diocese NFP Advisory Board, the American Academy of NFP Board and the CANFP Executive Board. She and her husband Bob have been married 63 years
