By Kathy Byrne

It is a well known fact that the Catholic church does not condone artificial birth control. It is also a well known fact that calendar rhythm as an alternative leaves much to be desired. What is not a well known fact is that natural means of family planning and child spacing have come a long way since the rhythm days.

The sympto-thermal method of Natural Family Planning, when properly understood and practiced, yields a 99% level of effectiveness. This is equal to the effectiveness rate of the Pill and the IUD, and more effective than any of the barrier methods.

“But why?” you ask. “Why doesn’t the Church allow artificial methods?” The answer can be found in Pope Paul VI’s “Humanae Vitae.” “The Church, calling men back to the observance of the norms of the natural law, as interpreted by their constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life.”

Using Natural Family Planning does not go against natural law, and seems to make couples more aware of and excited about their ability to share in God’s beautiful work of procreation. Of course, couples often have serious reason to postpone or avoid pregnancy, and for them Natural Family Planning offers a reasonable choice.

There are varied reasons why people attend classes and begin using Natural Family Planning. Most, it seems, are fed up with the methods they have been using and are ready for a change. Many have health, moral, or religious reasons for attending. Still others come because of their desire to respect life, having discovered that both the Pill and the IUD have abortifacient (abortion-causing) qualities. And, of course, there are those who have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive a child. The fertility awareness that they learn often makes it possible for them to plan for the child they wish for. Whatever their reasons,, almost all who discover the method are pleased, and most go out and spread the word to interested friends.

But Natural Family Planning isn’t just for Catholics. I have been very impressed by the increased number of Protestant attendees at our classes. And I recently had the privilege of giving an informational talk on the subject to a small group of Moslem women. They were very attentive and interested. One woman in particular stated that this was the answer that she and her husband had been praying for. Some sects of the Jewish and Mormon faiths also discourage the use of artificial contraceptives.

Through the extended use of Natural Family Planning, many couples find that it offers more than just a birth control technique. Its successful use demands communication between husband and wife. Most discover that the times of continence become times of sharing, giving and discovering of new and varied means of expressing their love in non-genital ways. Thus Natural Family Planning becomes a marriage builder, a love-enhancer, a way of life.

In order for a couple to successfully use the method, they of course must be properly informed. The classes taught by the local Couple to Couple League chapter offer a most complete course, explaining all aspects of fertility awareness. They cover every situation from irregular cycles to the return of fertility after childbirth, from how to achieve pregnancy to charting while coming off the Pill. They encourage an ecological breast-feeding approach to child rearing, and give a detailed report on its effect on the woman’s fertility return. All of the teaching couples practice the method, and are convinced of its effectiveness and value.

If you are interested in taking the course, obtaining materials, or having an informational talk given at your church, your club, etc., please contact Terri and Danny Buckley at 448-2684, or the Office of Family Concerns at 881-1411.