Sometimes it feels as if we’re going through natural family planning alone. That we’re the only couple in the area that uses this method of birth control. I get looks from doctors looking at me like I’m crazy. It’s not something I can discuss with my friends, sisters, or even my mother. I don’t know who else needs to hear this today but you are not the only one.
You’re not. Just because you are doing what society says is different or backwards, doesn’t mean that it is.
It’s okay to feel disgruntled with this method of birth control. You’re not the only one.
The thing that makes NFP so hard is that it takes self-sacrifice and self-control when you are trying not to conceive a child. Everyone else in the world gets to have as much sex as they want with condoms and hormonal birth control. You? You have to have a lot of self control if you don’t want a child during your fertile period. Can you hate this? Yes, you can. You’re not the only one.
It’s okay to have confusing feelings towards NFP.
It’s okay to feel awkward explaining it at a doctor’s office
It’s okay to feel awkward explaining it to anyone really.
It’s okay to be outside of societal norms and expectations about sex.
It’s okay to really really hate NFP and love it at the same time.
NFP is a beautiful teaching of the Church, one that makes complete sense and yet it can be one of the most daunting things to deal with in your marriage and that’s okay.
Whoever is out there – whoever needs to hear this now, today.
You aren’t the only one. You’re not the only one going through this. There are thousands of Catholic women dealing with the same trials and tribulations of NFP that you are. You know what the best thing that you can do? Try to connect with some of them. Connect with a instructor, whether that be Sympto-thermal, Creighton, Billings, etc. Get all your questions answered, have someone to talk to when the going gets tough.
You are not the only one.
