RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, and Support (read OP for poll question)
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[Poll]
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Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, and Support (read OP for poll question)
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| Yes I did and currently use NFP |
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| No I did not and currently use NFP |
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| I do currently and am considering NFP |
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| I do not currently and am considering NFP |
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| I do currently and am NOT considering NFP |
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| I do not currently and am NOT considering NFP |
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Total Votes : 126
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(last vote on : 5/21/2008 11:24:48 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/1/2005 3:08:15 PM
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3toraiseup
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It's just another example of how important healthy skepticism can be. The older I get, the more I see what a bill of goods the general public is sold. It IS empowering to think outside the box.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/1/2005 7:04:39 PM
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christsstar
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OK ----- QUESTION!!!
Is it possible to just completely skip phase 3??
My temp never spiked, at least not 0.4 deg and not for 3 days. I checked my mucous on Sunday and it was VERY fertile. Monday was almost nothing. Same thing yesterday.
Today ... absolutely nothing; and I just started my period!! 
Today is day 19. I'm so irritated because I'm NOT prepared at work when I'm 10 days early. Good thing I leave in an hour.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/1/2005 8:12:44 PM
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uponeagleswings
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I think it could happen. Have you been under a lot of stress, or had something else happen that would've made the bleeding happen early? Sick, been on medication, etc? Its definitely possible- I've had cycles as short as 19 days, and as long as 40+ days.
I think there are less than a handful of people IRL who know I do NFP. My best girlfriend is one. She's very single, but asked what we were using when I told her I'd gone off the pill because it was making me crazy. I directed her to the CCLI website. A lady I work with is another, and only because she asked when we got into a bc discussion at work. Of the 5 other teachers at my grade level, 3 are on the pill (only 1 is married ) 1 uses condoms (also not married), and one just had a baby and her DH had a vasectomy. And then there's me. I think my parents might have an idea, because before I got married my dad told me that the rhythm method and things like basal body temperature were NOT reliable and that I needed to go on the pill. I told my mom when I stopped taking it, and she hasn't asked about it since then. I guess they figure we must be doing something, since I'm not pregnant.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/1/2005 8:13:02 PM
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3toraiseup
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It is possible to have a short phase three, but it is also possible that the spotting you are seeing is not true menstrual shedding. Double check your book, but I believe you should consider yourself still in phase II until you see a temp spike. Some women also spot at the time of ovulation. The next few days will tell.
I have had several cycles with delayed ovulation. You see a patch of fertile mucous and it dries up, or nearly dries up with no temp shift. More often than not, my body will ovulate, just way late (like on Day 20 or 30) and I end up having a period on Day 42. There has only been one time that I actually had an annovulatory cycle. Everyone is different, but I guess my body likes to lay those eggs!
If it was truly an annovulatory cycle, you can check your book to see what the next step should be.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 1:03:06 AM
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christsstar
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Thanks ladies. It feels like a real period. Feels like more than spotting (although I haven't been to the bathroom since dinnertime when I put my diva in) and I have cramps.
This is sort of related, but will you please pray for me and my husband? He's confused, as well as I, about what's going on and I mistook his question that he asked as distrust of NFP and an inuslt to me. Please pray that he would take the time to read the book as well so that he'll be informed.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 9:43:57 AM
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Tea-Tea
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Christine, I'm praying.
This brings up a question. How many men actually actively participate in NFP (other than the "practicing"  )?
When my boyfriend and I discussed bc possibilities (for future use--after marriage, of course), I told him about NFP (not specifics but generalities) and included in my explaination that it's something he will have to learn about and help me keep track of (and yes, I told him that periods of abstinance are necessary, especially if I am allergic to condoms). He seemed open and willing (he doesn't want me on bc pills) but of course I don't know if he really would be willing to help with the charting, etc. He also doesn't fully know what's entailed in NFP (that's a discussion I'd rather leave until closer to time to get married, if we decide to get married).
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~Tammy~
"If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love."
spoken by Betsie ten Boom in The Hiding Place
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 10:49:24 AM
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anne-girl
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I think that, in general, men are far less informed about fertility in general than women are. I know much more about the male system than my guy knows about the female system. Take my guy--he's over 30 and had no idea menstrual cramps existed. He's also a bit worried about sex because he's concerned about condoms breaking and getting stuck, or hurting me badly enough that I'd be hospitalized.  (If I ever figure out who gave him such a skewed idea of sex, I hope I'll have enough nerve to give them what for!!!  )
Christine, I don't think, from what I've read (finished TCOYF a week or so ago) that the luteal phase is ever short from one cycle to another--if you have a short phase 3 it'll always be that short. Things like stress affect when/whether you ovulate, but phase 3 always works like clockwork once you've ovulated. So I'd agree with the others that this could be ovulatory bleeding, or an anovulatory cycle.
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"Baldric, you wouldn't see a subtle plan if it painted itself purple and danced naked on top of a harpsichord singing, "Subtle Plans Are Here Again."
~Blackadder
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 10:53:28 AM
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Flintejae
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My went to the classes with me. He learned how to temp and helped me to keep up with that when we were journaling. That's relaly 'all' he can do but read it and understand what's going on. He was a big help with the charting!
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- Janine
Our son, Jadon, was born on March 12th! Thank You, Lord, for Your Amazing Miracles!
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 11:16:53 AM
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christsstar
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Well ............ without going into details, DH and I hashed out our frustrations last night (OK, I hashed them out at him) and he finally understands why I feel the way that I feel when he makes what seem like negative comments about NFP. I hope he understands anyway. Prayers are still appreciated. The reason I want him to read the book is because he has little to no faith in the method and is humoring me along the way; I think this is a very prejudiced point of view since he hasn't done his research to learn anything about NFP than what I've told him, and that info he doesn't even retain, as I've had to tell him the same thing a gazillion times.
OK .... I'm sorry. I'm done venting. I love my husband, I just wish he cared more about this.
OK. This is more than just ovulatory spotting. I've never had ovulatory spotting before, so I find it odd that I might have it this month. But what I do have is a heavier period than I've had in years. In the last 5 months, I've never filled my diva more than 1/2 full the first 12 hours; last night it was overflowing. (I don't know about before the last 5 months as I wasn't using a diva; but I never needed more than 1 tampon to get me through the night and I can tell this would've needed more than one tampon.)
Eric's worried that maybe I was pregnant and miscarried, but doesn't that usually happen with a late period, not early?
At any rate, I'm gonna continue charting ... and use two charts; one for if I didn't start my period (the one already in use) and a new one as if yesterday really was the first day of my period.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 11:21:29 AM
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Flintejae
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(((((((((((((((((((Christine)))))))))))))))))))))))) We don't doubt your love for your hubby! I think we all understand your desires - they are valid and understandable!
It sounds like you are definitely on the right page/track! I would never have thought of creating two charts.
Hugs. I love you, girl :)
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- Janine
Our son, Jadon, was born on March 12th! Thank You, Lord, for Your Amazing Miracles!
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 11:54:54 AM
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3toraiseup
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Christine,
How long were you on the Pill -- and how long have you been off now? Could it be that your body is taking over hormone regulation on it's own now?
Pg 413 in 'The Art of NFP' book explains, "bleeding may occur which begins like menstruation but really isn't. This "breakthrough bleeding" is a fertile time because it generally occurs just before ovulation.
What happens is this. The endometrium builds up so much that the top layer cannot be sustained just by estrogen, so it breaks down. It may be only spotting, or it may be like a normal menstrual flow. Generally, a mucous discharge occurs at the same time.
How you can distinguish breaktrhough bleeding from a true menstruation?
1. Record waking temps until a thermal shift is established.
2. Regard a bloody discharge as a true menstruation ONLY when it has been preceeded by a thermal shift .
3. Interpret a bloody discharge NOT preceded by a thermal shift as possible breaktrhough bleeding and therefore a fertile time.
4. Apply standard Phase I rules to a true menstruation.
5. Do not extend Phase I past Day 6
6. If you experience a bloody discharge that has NOT been preceded by a thermal shift, keep charting on the same chart during the bleeding episode and for a week afterwards. If it's breakthrough bleeding, you will most likely experience something close to what's illustrated in Figure 30.1 (mucous during and after followed by a thermal shift). If that's what you experience, keep on charting for the rest of the cycle on the same chart.
This continues on for several more paragraphs, but from what I have copied, you can see that even what appears to be true menstrual bleeding may not be. Keeping two charts sounds like a great idea, Christine -- and if you have 'The Art' book, continue reading on pg 413-415 as it goes into other explanations of bleeding without a thermal shift (anovulatory cycle would be the other explanation) and a description of one couple in their third cycle of charting that experienced a breakthrough bleeding episode.
Seems like the Diva is an excellent tool in this situation LOL! You can keep an eye out for mucous and notice that the flow is greater than usual.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 12:03:54 PM
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christsstar
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I was on the pill for awhile; I've been off for 5 months. I suppose it's possible that my body is reacting weird with it's hormones and all, but I've NEVER had irregular periods or weird spotting. I guess more than possible; it IS acting weird.
I'll read the book. Last night was soooo crazy that I didn't even have a chance to crack open the book to read about anything. Thanks for the pages; I'll go there tonight.
My temp started to rise, like it was going to spike, then it crashed down to my day 1 temp and my mucus was non-existent. Then I started flowing yesterday afternoon.
And in all of this, no cramps. I'm totally cramp free. I always have cramps. So maybe this is something weird.
I'll read the book again tonight; I need to read it.
If I scan in my chart, do you think you could make any more sense out of it????
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 12:19:51 PM
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3toraiseup
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Sure, I'll look at it. You can email it to me or post it somewhere. After you send it, I'll review some of the ovulatory dips and peaks that might also give a clue as to what is going on.
From my experience, I was on hormonal BC for many years and my periods were lighter and like clockwork. Once off BC completely, my periods have been much heavier and now that I track ovulation, I also see that I am very prone to delayed ovulation due to sickness or stress. In fact, I can almost predict when my ovulation will be delayed now because it quite common for me to be sick -- and we've had a lot of stress over the past several months due to job changes, moving etc. Out of all my irregular cycles though, I've only had an annovulatory cycle once (and remember I'm just getting back to normal after childbirth and breastfeeding).
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 1:18:32 PM
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christsstar
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My periods were clockwork before ever going on the pill. I was blessed with regular cycles.
I went on the pill because they were so heavy and long (and really bad cramps), so I expect my periods to get heavy and long again, but I wasn't expecting to be 10 days early. In fact, even when I was on the pill I had pretty bad cramps and heavy flow; just shorter periods. Which I loved!! I went from 10 day periods to 7.
I'll scan it in tonight when I get home from work. Thanks. 
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/2/2005 1:21:20 PM
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anne-girl
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Chris, there are NFP sites where you can scan in, or type in, your monthly chart for people to comment on. Maybe if you're really stumped on this (I know I would be!) you could post yours at one of those sites.
The breakthrough bleeding thing sounds right on the money though--I know there's something on that in TCOYF but I can't remember what.
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"Baldric, you wouldn't see a subtle plan if it painted itself purple and danced naked on top of a harpsichord singing, "Subtle Plans Are Here Again."
~Blackadder
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/3/2005 9:53:04 AM
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christsstar
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After Kati looked at my chart and I read the part of the book where it talks about breakthrough bleeding, I think this is what it is. I'm going to proceed as if it were, to be on the conservative side. I have checked for internal mucus and can't find anything, and really don't have much in the way of external mucus either. But I'll see what happens after the bleeding stops.
The physiology behind breakthrough bleeding was really interesting to read. And in reality, kind of lines up possible reasons of my doctor putting me on the pill.
Anyway, thank you Kati and all the other ladies for you prayer and support.
In case you were wondering, DH and I did settle our argument Wednesday night and he says he sees where I'm coming from. However, he still isn't showing much interest in reading the book. That being said, thank you for your prayers for us.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/3/2005 9:57:30 AM
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bzirk
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Wished I had been as sharp as you are when I was your age.
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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/3/2005 10:59:14 AM
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christsstar
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bzirk
Wished I had been as sharp as you are when I was your age.
Thanks. I don't think I'm all that 'sharp,' but thanks.
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/3/2005 11:02:57 AM
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christsstar
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yeah, I'm anxious to see what it does too. The last 2 days have mimicked the first 2 days of menstruation tempwise. (low 97s)
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RE: Natural Family Planning ---- Questions, Answers, an... - 6/3/2005 2:16:01 PM
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christsstar
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yeah ... I've had problems with the cervical position as well.
To be honest, I don't know if I can even find it.
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Christine 
We are definitely wonderfully made by our Creator! 
) and educational to learn of the breakthrough bleeding episode. I'm anxious to see if you temp rises or stays flat over the next week.
I keep wondering whether people would notice that I was washing my hands before as well as after...