NFP refers to the practice of spacing pregnancies according to an informed awareness of a woman's fertility. It also refers to the practice of spacing pregnancies through ecological breastfeeding.

A series of 3 meetings at monthly intervals and the reading of the CCL manual, The Art of Natural Family Planning, provide the basic instruction.  In the classes, couples learn the Sympto-Thermal system of fertility awareness - the primary signs of cervical mucus, cervix changes, and basal temperatures, plus secondary signs.They also learn ecological breastfeeding, the form of natural mothering that typically provides over a year of natural infertility after childbirth.The CCL newsletter, Family Foundations, which is published bimonthly, provides continuing education and support.

The classes are taught by husband/wife teams who have successfully completed the CCL certification program and have also been recognized by the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

Personal counseling is available at each meeting and between meetings.Learning couples are encouraged to phone the teachers for counseling and interpretation assistance.

The medical profession is represented on the CCL Board of Directors by Paul Busam, M.D. and through a medical advisory board headed by Konald Prem, M.D.

S Y M P T O - T H E R M A L  M E T H O D

What is taught and how is it used?

• Couples are taught to measure, record, and interpret the three main fertility signs - mucus, cervix, and temperature changes.

• Students are also taught the benefits of breastfeeding and its effects on fertility as well as strategies to maximize benefits to mother and baby while increasing postpartum infertility.

• The moral values for using NFP are discussed.

• Finally, CCL teaches how the husband and wife share the responsibility and how to make NFP a marriage building experience.

Does it work?

• Not only is NFP highly effective, over 99%, it is also morally acceptable, free from medical hazards and side effects, and helpful in building a better marriage relationship.

• By observing and recording easily recognized and simply interpreted biological signs and using the fertile and/or infertile phases of a woman's cycle, a couple may plan intercourse in order to achieve or postpone a pregnancy.

How is it taught?

• In a series of 3 sessions taught about a month apart

• By a CCL certified husband/wife team