Learning the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP
Question
Dear Canfp Expert,
I have a question about the sympto thermal method. I have great desire to learn this method. I must say I have been a Catholic all my life and I am just learning about this and have just really heard about NFP. I attended Catholic schools all my life. We were never taught this, nor did we ever learn why artificial contraception is morally wrong etc. Unfortunately, the church, priest etc never discuss this in church homilies etc. So, I am late to the party.
When you practice the Sympto thermal method, must the temperature be taken each day at the same time? Is there a window? If how much? And must it be performed before one gets out of bed? What about when one is sick with the flu etc?
I would most likely learn this method from the Couple to Couple league via their home study course, due to time constraints, children, etc. Any and all info you could provide would be greatly appreciated about this method.
Sincerely,
Michelle
P.S we are expecting baby #4 in July!
Answer
Last Updated: July 7, 2013
Welcome to the NFP party! I think that you will find the practice of NFP a marriage enhancer. Before I go on… Congratulations on baby #4!
If you feel that you will not be able to attend a class locally, the CCL home study course is a great alternative for learning the Sympto-Thermal Method. I should caution you that one of the most challenging times to use NFP is the return of fertility after childbirth. One of the benefits of CCL classes is that they discuss how breastfeeding and mothering practices can affect your fertility. They will help you to navigate this sometimes tricky time.
Using the Sympto-Thermal Method you will learn to observe and interpret your cervical mucus and your basal body temperature, that is your body’s temperature at rest. The purpose of taking the temperature is to look for a rise in temperature to indicate that ovulation has occurred. The temperature is taken at the same time each morning with a 30 minute cushion either way. It is ideal to take your temperature before getting out of bed, but it is acceptable to take it while doing activities that require little energy output (ie. walking to the bathroom, or baby’s crib). With a digital thermometer it takes about one minute to get a reading. Days when you have a fever you will mark as “disturbed” and those days will not be used in determining the thermal shift.
Finally, I would invite you to spread the word about this “party”. Share your experiences with your friends and family members. Tell them about why you are making the change, and after using NFP for awhile tell them how it changes your marriage. But most especially share this with your parish priests. They speak with married and engaged people all the time. They need our encouragement to speak out about the harms of artificial birth control and the graces that come to a couple that cooperates with the natural fertility given to us by God.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy baby.
Jane Huseby, RN
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