Natural contraception (found 44 titles)

Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health

Author: Toni Weschler
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Publication date: 2006-11-01
ISBN: 0060881909
Pages: 512
Rating:
Price: $24.99

This comprehensive book explains in lucid, assured terms how to practice the fertility awareness method (FAM), a natural, scientifically proven but little-known form of birth control (which is not to be confused with the woefully ineffective "rhythm" method). Author Toni Weschler has been teaching fertility awareness for almost 20 years, and it's only just now gaining in popularity. As the book explains, by using simple fertility signs including peaks in morning body temperature and changes in cervical position and cervical mucus, it's possible to determine when ovulation is taking place. Fertility awareness is therefore useful for not only couples who are trying to conceive, but for those who are aiming to avoid pregnancy without the use of chemical contraceptives. It will be of special interest to those women who have suffered from infertility; many FAM practitioners have told the author that by filling in the detailed charts in the book, they've realized that they were chronically miscarrying, even when their doctors told them they weren't conceiving at all. As the book explains, by charting body temperature, it's simple to tell when pregnancy has occurred--and when there's danger of miscarriage. Taking Charge of Your Fertility also explains how to choose the sex of your baby by timing intercourse according to certain fertility signs. It also features thorough, easy-to-understand explanations of hormones, the menstrual cycle, and menopause, along with fertility tests and treatments and their long- and short-term side effects, plus a topnotch resource section. Recommended for any woman who wants to better understand her body. --Erica Jorgensen

Customes reviews 1210

Wealth of knowledge! (2010-05-13)

This is hands down THE most informative book on fertility there is. I think that it should be required reading for high school age girls. If only every woman knew the inner workings of her body, not only would she have more control over her fertility, but also many countless unwanted pregnancies could be prevented therefore eliminating 'the choice'.

The book is well organized. Easily used as a reference book. The author goes into detail of every known factor in learning to chart. When I came to this book (upon many recommendations) I knew nothing. Now I consider myself an expert on the subject. Her advice has helped me to pinpoint ovulation and maximize my chances of conception. I high recommend this book to anyone who is considering buying it. You will want to share the knowledge with every woman you know! Knowledge, after all, is power.

Wonderful book (2010-05-12)

This book has so much information! It's the best book on natural family planning that I've read. I highly recommend this book for anyone that is trying to get pregnant or looking for a natural form of birth control. It's helped my husband and I to keep from getting pregnant...now I'm hoping it will help us conceive!

A must for all who use Natural Family Planning (2010-05-03)

By following the easy to follow instructions in this book, I was able to avoid preganancy for 2 and a half years and then was able to achieve preganancy on my first attempt. It is so liberating to be in control of your fertility without the use of any artificial means of birth control. I also learned a lot about my body and was able to tell almost immediately when something was wrong. I highly recommend this book to all who want to avoid or achieve pregnancy naturally.

Great Book!! (2010-05-03)

So far, I have loved this book and it has given me all the information I need to get pregnant! Wish me luck!

PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!! (2010-04-29)

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK WEATHER TTC OR NOT!! IT CAN SAVE YOU YEARS OF TTC! I BOUGHT THIS BOOK ON AMAZON AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! WE CONCEIVED ON MY FIRST CYCLE AFTER READING THIS AMAZING BOOK!! READ IT BEFORE SEEING YOUR DOC ABOUT FERTILITY TREATMENTS!! EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK!!

Honoring Our Cycles: A Natural Family Planning Workbook

Author: Katie Singer
Publisher: NewTrends Publishing, Inc.
Publication date: 2006-01-15
ISBN:
Pages: 112
Rating:
Price: $10.00

In clear, everyday language, Honoring Our Cycles describes what happens during a menstrual cycle and how a baby is conceived. It explains how to chart the body's fertility signs to know which days are best for becoming pregnant or avoiding becoming pregnant, without the use of hormonal drugs. Includes dietary advice for successful conception and healthy babies and families.

Customes reviews 11

worked wonderfully for us! (2010-02-28)

I ordered this in late October, received it the day before I started my period in November, and began reading and charting immediately. I had my birth control implant (Implanon) removed the day after I started my period (Nov 11th). I didn't expect to have a normal cycle, but other than being a little long, it was fine. I charted bbt and cm for the month of November and we decided to begin trying in December. I ovulated on December 29th and we are now expecting our first child September 25th! It really is wonderfully helpful. It was great to be able to take our charts with us on our visit to the midwife.

Total waste of my money (2010-02-07)

When the cover of a book states "A natural family planning workbook for knowing which days you can and CAN'T get pregnant", it should include more than one page on the can't part. I was very disappointed when I read through this book about all the charting, temp taking, and monitoring your mucus then I come to the page about not getting pregnant and it pretty much states don't be intimate if you don't want to get pregnant. It's very contradictive that you can use all these things to get pregnant but they're not good to use for natural birth control. I already knew that withholding from intimacy was the best way to not get pregnant. I would sugest Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler it's a much better book and easier to understand.

Great Info (2009-11-08)

Husband and I are between child 1 & 2 and decided that birth control prescriptions are not the answer. I consistanly gained weight on these, so I checked with my OB/GYN and she refered me to this book...great info, simple techniques for observations of cycle changes and great worksheets to help plot your info month to month. When we are ready for #2, we'll be bc free and on track to plan our future family.

Great book and very speedy delivery (2009-10-19)

I received the book very promptly and it was everything I read in the other reviews. Very informative and would purchase again.

every woman needs to know this information (2009-05-27)

I got both this book and Kate Singer's "Garden of Fertility" and although I don't think both are neccecary, they both have an individual way of explaining the information. I am so intrigued by learning this natural process of our cycles, and both of these books really help. It seems like this workbook is written in an easier to understand language that anybody can figure out. i am still in the process of figuring it all out, but I really really am loving the information and getting to know my body!

Natural Birth Control Made Simple

Authors: RN Barbara Kass-Annese R.N. C.N.P., M.D. Hal C. Danzer
Publisher: Hunter House
Publication date: 2003-05-22
ISBN: 0897934032
Pages: 160
Rating:
Price: $17.95

This guide offers information on reproduction, fertility, and natural conception, and gives instructions on Natural Family Planning (NFP) and the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). This completely revised and updated edition includes new methods of natural birth control, illustrations and charts that show the planning methods described, and updated bibliography and resource sections.

Customes reviews 8

Quick way to get started or refresh your knowledge (2008-11-22)

This book is a wonderful primer for learning natural birth control, otherwise known as Natural Family Planning (when abstinence is used during the fertile period) or Fertility Awareness Method (when barrier contraception is used during the fertile period). This is a wonderful way to get to know and appreciate your body, as well as being a safe and effective form of birth control. It is easy to read and get started in a short period of time, which is something other books on the subject don't generally provide. It is a great reference for easy thumbing through when you have questions.

What I want to know is, why isn't this information more readily available and talked about?? It is truly a shame that women are made to feel that their bodies are somehow defective, and the fertility cycle is something to be "taken care of". For more uncommon wisdom regarding fertility and babies, I highly recommend Healing Our Children: Because Your New Baby Matters! Sacred Wisdom for Preconception, Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting (ages 0-6) by Ramiel Nagel.

Very informative! (2007-03-06)

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!

Educational (2007-03-01)

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.

Choose a Better Book (2007-01-29)

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.

Easy to understand and informative . . . a must for any woman! (2006-10-03)

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.

The Ovulation Method: Natural Family Planning

Authors: John J. Billings
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Publication date: 1984-12
ISBN: 0814610110
Pages: 40
Rating:
Price: $9.95

Customes reviews 8

Natural (2010-03-03)

I enjoyed the Ovulation Method Book. It really help me out to understand what I need to do in order to get pregnant.

Very Effective!!!! (2007-07-15)

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

Promotes the method but doesn't teach it (2007-07-12)

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.

Well worth it! (2007-01-13)

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.

Could be Better (2005-07-07)

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

A Cooperative Method of Natural Birth Control

Authors: Margaret Nofziger
Publisher: Book Publishing Company (TN)
Publication date: 1992-01-24
ISBN: 0913990841
Pages: 112
Rating:
Price: $9.95

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.

Customes reviews 8

Quick, informative read (2010-03-18)

Gets confusing at times (probably because I'm a man...), but I read it in one sitting and felt like I had all the answers immediately after.

There are tons of example temperature charts in the book. I have found that real life charts tend to differ much more than in the book, but I guess she needed to make a point.

Essential book for young marriage (2009-05-14)

This is a book I read years ago and wished I'd owned for the past 20. Every female needs to know the information in this book. This book is not just a great guide to learning about a woman's reproductive cycle but how to use the physical information your body is producing and interpret it. It isn't just about preventing pregnacy, it's about knowing your body and knowing when you will ovulate so that you can either conceive a child or prevent the conception of one. A must have guide for anyone seeking a great alternative to prescription or barrier methods of birth control.

Great book for young, responsible women (2007-11-19)

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!

Natural (2002-07-10)

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.

Can be used to help plan a pregnancy as well (2001-11-08)

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 :)

The Billings Method: Controlling fertility without drugs or devices

Authors: Evelyn L., Dr. Billings, Ann Westmore
Publisher: St Augustine Foundation
Publication date: 1998
ISBN: 1876026103
Pages: 262
Rating:
Price: $19.95

A totally natural birth control alternative to artificial methods. An effective program for pinpointing fertility to become pregnant. Can be used by any woman, at any age, whether she has regular or irregular periods, is breastfeeding, or approaching menopause. Clinically proven, and tested by the World Health Organization. Used by millions of women in more than 100 countries all over the world.

Customes reviews 13

Great and informative book!! (2010-02-02)

This method is great! My husband and I have used it for a year! I wish more people knew about it. Very, very informative. I would suggest it to anyone looking for an alternative to drugs and invasive procedures.

Great book, very helpful! (2009-09-10)

I am a huge fan of Natural Family Planning as a method of birth control. I had taken the classes, but still after many months of being unsure if I was practicing the Billings Method correctly, I found this book. This book is great and really helped me understand the Billings Method more, so that I am much more confident in my cycle charting. If you plan on using NFP as a method of birth control, are unsure if you're charting correctly of if you would just like more information on NFP and the Billings Method, than I definitely recommend this book. A great resource and an easy read.

Intelligent and natural birth control...finally! (2009-08-06)

In a world that takes drugs for everything, it's hard to believe that you can have complete control of your fertility without any of these harmful drugs or devices. Fertility is not a disease, it doesn't require any harmful drugs to suppress it! It just takes intelligent observation of your body's natural signs. This book is very do-able and it's freeing to know that there's a natural way to avoid pregnancy. I strongly recommend this book. Do your body a favor and jump off the pharmaceutical bandwagon.

Very informative, but a little repetitive (2009-03-24)

I had been on the pill for almost 15 years and my husband and I wanted to start trying for a baby this year. I wanted to give my body a break from the hormones before becoming pregnant, but I didn't want to use condoms during the time I was flushing out my system (personal reasons - I just don't like them). This book provides some wonderful information about a woman's cycle and the clues that our bodies give us during that cycle. I am lucky in that I have a textbook cycle and fertile symptoms, so it was easy for me to recognize the signs that the book had detailed. I was amazed to learn that some of the things that I had noticed about my body throughout my life were actually signs that I could use to my advantage. I think all women and girls should know the information in this book.


Using this information, I was able to prevent pregnancy, without using other means of birth control, until I was ready to start trying to conceive. And, once I was ready to conceive, I was aware of my fertile signs and I got pregnant on the first try!

The only negative thing I have to say about this book, is that it is repetitive. The same information could be condensed into a book half the size. Also, the verbiage in the book was a little hard to read. The order of the words in the sentences seemed to be backward. I believe this is because the author is Aussie and I am American. Just a difference in language structure. But overall it was a great book. I highly recommend it.

Written for pregnancy prevention, but good resource (2007-09-19)

This is a great resource for really getting to know your body and cycle. What I love is that it includes all the scientific research and studies it's based on, so you can objectively judge the evidence yourself.

My only issue is that it seems written more from the perspective of preventing pregnancy- if you are trying to conceive, it doesn't give any clues as to how things change if you DO conceive. All in all, great resource and a very easy method to follow. Only took about an hour to read the main portions too, so it's not like it takes intense studying and measuring.

Physicians Healed

Authors: Cleta Hartman
Publisher: One More Soul
Publication date: 1998-10-01
ISBN: 096697770X
Pages: 144
Rating:
Price: $10.00

Physicians Healed tells the personal, inspiring conversion stories of 15 doctors who no longer prescribe contraceptives to their patients. Their compelling narratives speak to the struggles healthcare professionals, clergy and lay people face in accepting the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception and the great joy and peace that come in accepting God's plan for sex within marriage.

Physicians Healed is packed with a level of honesty rarely found in conversion stories. These courageous doctors frankly discuss how they dealt with performing abortions while in medical school, prescribing the "pill" to teenagers and financial pressures to prescribe contraceptives to their patients. In the end, the faith of these doctors triumphs as their moral struggle ends with a faith-filled decision to stop prescribing contraceptives.

A must-read, this critically-acclaimed book shows the great impact one person's witness can have on other people's moral decisions, the tremendous power of the clergy to influence the faithful and the secure peace that comes from making good and wise decisions.

Customes reviews 2

Heart of the Matter (2009-07-18)

Short and to the point, this book gets to the heart of the matter. First do no harm. Great for any physician who wants to get away from medical groups that are controlled by the pharmacuticals. Written by 15 doctors who did just that and the blessings in their practices and in their own lives due to their decision to break free.

The doctors who had to say no - Inspirational stories (2000-07-05)

Imagine making your way through medical school, learning little or nothing about natural fertility regulation, and prescribing contraceptives only to later learn the potential physical and spiritual damage you may have caused your patient.

This is the path traveled by the 15 physicians who share their very compelling stories in this wonderful little book.

All 15 were, at one time, doctors who prescribed contraceptives for their patients. Each story, tells in a unique way, how each physician made the courageous and often difficult choice to no longer prescribe contraception.

The testimonies should be read by any physician concerned with the health of his or her patients. Their witness speaks loudly in opposition to a culture which has embraced the contraceptive mentality and the infertility, abortions, death, and destruction that go with it.

Natural Fertility

Authors: Francesca Naish
Publisher: Sally Milner Publishing Pty Ltd
Publication date: 2005-10
ISBN: 186351337X
Pages: 358
Price:

The New No-Pill, No-Risk Birth Control

Authors: Nona Aguilar
Publisher: Rawson Assoc
Publication date: 1985-12
ISBN: 0892563001
Pages: 256
Rating:
Price: $12.95

Customes reviews 11

Very Pleased (2007-07-30)

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.

Great book (2007-05-09)

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.

Effective 'Breastfeeding Birth Control' (2006-05-31)

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).

Informative, but tough to get through (2005-09-25)

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

Used this to conceive! (2000-08-24)

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

Authors: Evelyn Billings, Ann Westmore
Publisher: Anne O'Donovan Pty, Ltd.
Publication date: 2000
ISBN: 1876026367
Pages: 263
Price:

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

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