Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, July 21-27, 2024, highlights the anniversary of the papal encyclical, Humanae Vitae (Latin for “Of Human Life”), which articulates Catholic beliefs bout human sexuality, conjugal love and responsible parenthood.
Natural Family Planning is general term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.
What is NFP and Fertility Awareness?
Amy Karney, CFCP and lead practitioner of First Coast FertilityCare, provides an overview of NFP/Fertility Awareness in our webinar: Fertility Awareness: A Modern, Safe and Holistic Alternative to Family Planning and Reproductive Health.
Couple Testimonies
Experience a taste of NFP through the open and honest dialogues of couples practicing this healthy and freeing lifestyle provided by the USCCB.
Finding an Instructor
Find an Instructor by Location
The diocese maintains a listing of NFP instructors by location to help find one closest to you.
Find an Instructor by Method
The diocese maintains a listing of NFP instructors by method based on the couple’s preferred method.
Finding a Physician
An NFP-only Physician is a medical professional who is committed to the Church’s teaching on the gift of fertility and will not prescribe, perform, or refer for contraception, sterilization, abortion, or in vitro fertilization.
Which Method is Right for You?
The Fertility Science Institute provides a Method Matcher that offers recommendations based on your needs.
Are you a medical professional looking to explore the science behind NFP/Fertility Awareness Methods? FACTS is a group of physicians, healthcare professionals and educators working together to provide information about natural or fertility awareness based methods of family planning with the medical community.
