conception and contraception calendar

(112 pages)

A Cooperative Method of Natural Birth Control by: Margaret Nofziger publisher: Book Publishing Company (TN) released: 1992-01-24 ISBN: 0913990841 $8.95

Presented here is a safe, non-invasive, and effective method of birth control based on the recording and interpretation of signs and signals from a woman's own body. This book has been recommended by family planning centers for many years.

This book clearly outlines a combination of 3 different natural birth control methods. It takes a little time and dedication to learn, but it is simple and effective if you are responsible.

I used birth control for 7 years and was nervous to go off, but was fed up with the side effects. A colleague recommended this book/method (she used it for 10 years with no failure). After a few months, I got the hang of it and feel so much better not putting any drugs/hormones into my body. I've been using this method effectively for one year now.

As a young woman I have many girlfriends who ask me about my method. I tell them anyone can do it but you have to be dedicated, responsible, and it helps if your partner is involved too. Great book to help!

This book is explains more about HOW the female monthly works than any I've ever seen. Explaining when a pregnancy can and can't occur, as well as the changes occuring during each phase. This would have been great as a 12 year old in the 7th grade "health" class. The book sticks strictly with the different signs and symptoms of the female monthly cycle. Uses plain english, without being offensive or prudish. As a mother of three -- it was worth the time I spent reading it. Any Mom with a daughter, a married couple who wants a natural birth control, or who are trying for a baby. This book removes the guesswork.

My husband and I borrowed this book from a friend who used it to PREVENT pregancy, but we used it with the intentions of getting pregnant. We tried alot of things, including infertility treatments, but it wasn't until after we read this book and used the information to our advantage that we were able to finally get pregnant. Our son is now 6 months old, and we tell all our friends who are having trouble conceiving to give this book a try! It is an easy read, which is sometimes what you need... just the basics :)

A fantastic introduction to what is now being called the "symptothermic method," a combination of calendar rhythm, basal body temperature, and cervical fluid logging that narrows down your "safe" and "unsafe" days for intercourse. Written by a woman who lives on The Farm (an intentional community in Tennessee), in the same spirit as "Spiritual Midwifery," by Ima May Gaskin. This is a great book if you're tired of regulating your fertility with the help of drugs or potentially dangerous devices and don't mind keeping a chart to keep track of your hormonal changes.

This book is small and easy to read, but not as comprehensive as "the Art of Natural Family Planning" by Kippley, or even Aguilar's "The New No Pill, No Risk Birth Control". Good to get the basic idea, though.

(40 pages)

The Ovulation Method: Natural Family Planning by: John J. Billings publisher: Liturgical Press released: 1984-12 ISBN: 0814610110 $9.95

I have been on the Billings Ovulation Method for a few years now and beleive me, if you don't cheat it is 99.99% effective. The downfall to this method is that you are not suppose to know exactly how to use it without instruction. There are ways to contact these instructers that can guide you through the process for a fee. Check with your local womens center or life center, they can help. I was able to go through my training course right here in my home for thirty dollars, and you don't have to be Catholic to use it. Good luck to you.

PS.. I did get pregnant during the time of practicing this method but it is because we chose to cheat on my most fertile day. An Anniversary and a few drinks will impair judgement like that so be careful...lol

This slim book promotes the Ovulation Method, profiling its advantages and utility. But it is not an instruction book. I'm only giving it three starts because although it's well-written I'm not sure who the intended audience is, or what group might find it useful.

For someone looking to learn a mucus-only method, I would look to "The Billings Method:Controlling Fertility Without Drugs or Devices" by Evelyn Billings. For someone just interested in any kind of fertility charting, not specifically a mucus-only method, I highly recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler as the definitive book in this category.

The ovulation book was great. The book was a good price, it was packed full of information and came with a chart and pleanty of stickers to get you and your spouse started on the wonderful journey of natural family planning.

I was hoping that the book went into better detail. It did not help me. However, it was informative and an easy read.

You can read this book in 30 minutes and understand it. After ordering this book I was recommended "Taking Charge of your Fertility" by a friend. Taking Charge is more complete but uses this information, however. By the time my amazon.com shipment arrived with the second book, I was already pregnant from the first time trying The Ovulation Method (we had tried to get pregnant approximately a year before getting this book). So read it. You can also use it to avoid getting pregnant. It works!

(160 pages)

Natural Birth Control Made Simple by: R.N., C.N.P., Barbara Kass-Annese, Hal C. Danzer publisher: Hunter House released: 2003-05-22 ISBN: 0897934032 $11.86

I honestly didn't quite know how the reproductive system worked. It was very easy to read and gave great illustrations. I recommend this book highly because taking pills for birth control is very toxic to your body!

I think that this book has been very informative, the illustrations are hand drawn, photographs would have been better for some of the descriptions. Overall, I would recommend it.

If you're looking for a good place to start - this book is not it. While I think the author gives good descriptions of your fertility signs, I don't think this book is a good idea for people new to NFP.

My biggest beef with this book is how the 'rules' are presented.

What you need to know is that there are basically two forms of NFP: STM and OM. STM (Sympto-Thermal Method) uses your basal body temperature, cervical mucus observations and changes in your cervix to determine when you are fertile and when you are not. OM (Ovulation Method or Billings Ovulation Method) relies on cervical mucus observations to determine your fertility.

While both can be effective - they use different rules. The author presents both STM and OM - but she mixes up the rules!

The result is a mish-mash of fertility rules that I think will lead to lower effectiveness rates. If you want to use NFP effectively, you need to pick one method and follow the rules for that method.

An example of this mix up involves the rules before ovulation. The author lists one of the STM rules (page 114) as abstaining during menstrual bleeding. This is not an STM rule - this is an OM Rule. There is no reason, if you are using STM that you need to abstain during the menstrual bleeding - but you MUST abstain during any bleeding if you are using the Ovulation Method.

With STM, you use your Basal Body Temperature rise to know when you are experiencing true menstrual bleeding - and not breakthrough bleeding, which is very fertile. With the Ovulation Method - there is no way of knowing (since you don't take your temperature) if bleeding is true menstruation - so with the OM, you must abstain during any bleeding.

Then on page 117, the author discusses the Cervical Mucus Method (aka Billings Ovulation Method) and suggests that you should abstain during your menstrual bleeding - or - you can have intercourse during the first five days of your cycle. Well - which is it? With the OM - you must abstain during any bleeding. The first five days option is a rule from STM.

If you're new to Natural Family Planning or Fertility Awareness - these may not seem like big differences. But take it from someone who has studied both methods - it is important to follow the rules. You can't take a little from this method and a little from that method and hope to get an effective method of postponing pregnancy.

The author will say that there are some rules that are more conservative - and others that are less - but doesn't always clearly identify which is which. For a beginner to NFP - this is trouble.

If you're looking to learn more about Natural Family Planning, pick a better book. Try "The Art of Natural Family Planning" - while it's a bigger book - you'll get clear instruction on the rules, along with the effectiveness of each rule so you can make informed decisions.

I gave this book two stars (instead of one) because I think the author does do a good job describing fertility signs and how to observe them.

That aside - choose another book to start learning about NFP - this one mixes up too many rules to be a good beginner book. If you are serious about using NFP effectively - don't choose this book.

This book clearly and accurately describes the natural changes that a woman's body goes through during her fertility cycle. In language that is easy to understand, the author (who is a nurse) describes each phase and its corresponding symptoms in clear, plain English.

While there is a lot of information, it is a thin book that is easily read in one sitting. I refer to it often and find more things explained to me each time I read it.

I have no doubt that after reading this book, I can confidently and accurately track my fertility, and I'm sure anyone else can, too. I bought this when I went off the pill, and no other book compares. It is a must-have for any woman of child-bearing years. I wish I would have known about this book before I messed up my body by being on the pill . . . it took MONTHS to get back on track. But this book was a Godsend in helping me to understand my body, which is the most important thing.

This book was a fantastic read! Not only did it describe and show you how to chart your signs of fertility it also went into great detail on how both the female and male reproduction system works, therefore making your own fertility signs make sense to you, rather than just charting and guessing on signs. This book addressed the Natural Family Planning method as well as the Fertility Awareness Method. It was written from a strictly informational point of view and doesn't try to shove any religious motive on you for trying the NFP method. Also, they include many examples to help you learn how to use the charting system and also include a blank chart for you to copy and use. I would highly recommend this book to anyone either considering using NFP or FAM or even to just become more aware of the way their body works! Excellent, excellent book.

(224 pages)

Simples métodos de control de la natalidad: Natural Birth Control Made Simple, Spanish-Language Edition by: R.N., C.N.P., Barbara Kass-Annese, Hal C. Danzer publisher: Hunter House released: 2004-05-27 ISBN: 0897934237 $13.95

When a dear friend of mine wanted to know about natural birth control after having twins that would not violate the dictates of his religion (and his wife spoke primarily Spanish) , I did some research on the web and found this book for him. Not having read it personally, I can only say that they were very enthused, and "learned things they never knew" which I thought was terrific. The twins are 3 now with no younger siblings so something worked.

(204 pages)

The Missing Cornerstone Reasons Why Couples Choose Natural Family Planning in Their Marriage by: S. Joseph Tham publisher: Circle Press released: 2008-04-01 ISBN: 096516019X $11.99

In a society where instant gratification and materialism are idolized, love is often misconceived as merely getting what you want when you want it. The contraceptive mentality transfers that misconception into married love, betraying the true meaning of sexuality and poisoning the heart of the family. In recent years, many married couples have found a healthy, effective alternative for responsible parenthood in Natural Family Planning. Dr. Tham has gathered the inspiring stories of forty-eight such couples who have discovered the missing cornerstone: a true sense of authentic, generous love.

(256 pages)

The New No-Pill, No-Risk Birth Control by: Nona Aguilar publisher: Rawson Assoc released: 1985-12 ISBN: 0892563001 $12.95

This is a really exciting approach to natural family planning. The writing is clear and informative, and there are lots of charts and illustrations to help convey the information. The book has a lot of scientific information but doesn't read like a dry, clinical, manual.

I found this book in a Salvation Army and I'm glad I bought it! The info in this book (and my mom's advice) has helped my husband and I remain childless for a whole year -hopefully it will work for a couple more years as we finish college. My husband and I love the method! I would recommend it to anyone. We have never supplemented the method with any other form of contraceptive.

I can't say that I've used all of the information in this book just YET.
I am writing a review because I have used the advice contained in this book that explains all of the 'necessary conditions' for using breastfeeding as a method of birth control.
Well, for me, this was a 'leap of faith'. I knew I did not want to take the pill, and also that I did not want children closer than nine months apart! So, in addition to the advice that is given in this book, we also used condoms for the first two or three months after birth(s), and 'the rest' has worked great for spacing each of my 3 children 3 years apart.
This is definite reading for every married couple, but especially every woman that does not want to take the pill (especially while breastfeeding).

This book had a lot of information, but nothing different/new than what I read in other books on the subject. There were no pictures or sample charts to view, so if not for having other books on hand to reference I don't think I would be able to successfully track my fertility. This book would be best used to supplement another fertility awareness book. I would reccomend "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler

My body and mind have never been in sync, so this book was a real eye-opener for me! Easy to follow and logical. We used this book in conjunction with a series of Clomid and both feel we scored a hit (and a gorgeous baby boy!) almost first try because we used both in conjunction. It also saved my husband's energy!! We shall use it again (in reverse, like another reviewer) when we're ready for our second.

The Billings Method: Using the Body's Natural Signal of Fertility to Achieve or Avoid Pregnancy by: Nona Aguilar publisher: Anne O'Donovan Pty, Ltd. released: 2000 ISBN: 1876026367

The Billings Method: A book on using the body's natural signal of fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

(228 pages)

The art of natural family planning by: John F Kippley publisher: Couple to Couple League International released: 1977 ISBN: 0960103627

This book has been the Couple to Couple League's "handbook" for the last 30 years or so. It has a lot of information, but is cumbersome to the beginner. It also is very preachy, even to practicing Catholics. It teaches 4 rules for postponing pregnancy and is overly complicated. The sections on mucus can be confusing.

The Couple to Couple League has just come out with all-new materials for the sympto-thermal method. It is "The Art of Natural Family Planning Student Guide." It is modernized and straight forward. It still encompasses religious reasons for choosing NFP, but it does so with respect for the reader. It is mostly used in conjunction with the live courses, but it can also be used alone. The 4 rules of the other book have been combined into one easy rule. It is still 99.9% effective, they have just found a better way to teach it after 30+ years of experience. The mucus explanations are highly friendly to the new user. I haven't found the new one yet on Amazon, but you can get it through the Couple to Couple League for now. I recommend it over the older one.

I found this book extremely helpful and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to use NFP as a means of either pregnancy prevention or pregnancy achievment. The book is very descriptive and leaves no question unanswered when it comes to this method. Definitely an excellent resource!

Trying to have a baby (or another one)? Trying to avoid pregnancy? Want to know what makes NFP so popular? This book has it all! Very informative about every aspect of the three signs that make up the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM). It also has helpful information if you're trying to conceive. Or maybe you're just interested in learning how your body actually works. It truly is a art as well as a science, and the Kippleys do a great job in helping you master your OWN fertility awareness, instead of relying on (somewhat unreliable and sometimes dangerous) alternatives.

Bar none, the best NFP book there is. I simply can't recommend it enough.

I used this book to teach myself the principles of NFP. It was very easy to understand. I highly recommend.

This book, and the essential course that goes along with it, are fantastic at teaching the nuts and bolts of Natural Family Planning, which is a 99% effective method for regulating births.

NFP gets a bad wrap. Liberals and Traditionalists both dismiss it as "Catholic Birth Control." Both groups are wrong. NFP, as it requires periods of abstinence and places no artificial barrier in the way of God's creative hand, is NOT Catholic "birth control" in any sense of the word. Rather, it is a life affirming practice that recognizes that ABC (artificial birth control) is sinful and a rejection of God in our marriages. It also provides a school of sanctity for the married couple while at the same time, much more often than not, making the couple more generous regarding bringing children into the world.

This book however has several weaknesses, not the least of which is that it largely ignores the Theology of the Body, the great and important body of work on human sex and sexuality by John Paul II.

The good news is that the Couple to Couple League is in the process of redoing their textbook and their curriculum. There is a new text coming that addresses many of the valid criticisms against this book put forth by other reviewers.

I love NFP, I love the Church's teachings. The truth has set me free. Try it for yourself.

Anyone interested in studying the Church's teaching on sex and sexuality should check out the following books:

Theology Of The Body For Beginners
Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology Of The Body
Good News About Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions About Catholic Teaching
Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later

Contraception and the Natural Law by: Germain G. Grisez publisher: The Bruce Publishing Company released: 1964

A critical examination of the traditional teaching of theologians on this questions and the twentieth-century view that this teaching is inadequate for contemporary man.