Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)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.
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Product Description:
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.
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