Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a method through which a married couple may either achieve, avoid or space a pregnancy. It is based on the natural signs and symptoms which occur during a woman’s menstrual cycle. By learning to carefully observe and chart these signs, a couple may then apply the appropriate rules based on their family planning intention.

NFP is based on scientific knowledge while remaining faithful to the Church’s teaching on upholding the love and life connection in the marital act.

NFP methods are natural methods used for avoiding or achieving pregnancy which are based on a couple’s awareness of the woman’s naturally occurring times of fertility and infertility.

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.

When couples are taught by competent teachers, understand the methods, and are motivated to follow them, NFP is up to 99% successful in spacing or limiting births.

The Diocese of Savannah offers instruction using the different methods of NFP. The best way to learn NFP is from a qualified instructor who is certified. NFP couple classes are scheduled by appointment with the instructor. Cost varies between $35 and $250 depending on the method used (description of methods can be found at the bottom of this page). To take the NFP class as a couple, contact the instructor directly to make an appointment. Instructors with an asterik (*) next to the name(s) offer online instruction that can be taken from anywhere in the Diocese. 

Financial assistance is available, if needed.

402-297-2609 or 

https://www.mmnfp.com/taylorallen 

Betsy DeBry

912-659-8244 or

912-663-5738 or

Miek Johnson

Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) |$35

706-399-8790 or

Michelle and Jeff Chardos

STM Couple to Couple League | $135

STM Couple to Couple League | $135

Brittany Pellitteri

SYMPTOPRO (STM) |$90

Dora Uscanga and Marcus Delfin

OM: Family of the Americas |$50

The method that observes several signs of fertility and adds the use of an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) or fertility monitor is called the "Sympto-Hormonal Method" or "SHM." Similar to the STM, this approach adds the self-detection of reproductive hormones in the urine with the assistance of an OPK or fertility monitor. Various diocesan NFP programs make use of the SHM as well as Marquette University's Institute for NFP.

The methods that observe cervical mucus are commonly called the "Ovulation Method" (OM). In NFP education, a woman learns how to identify the normal, healthy, cervical mucus which indicates the fertile and infertile times in your cycles. A number of NFP providers teach a variety of approaches to the observation and charting of cervical mucus:

The Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) of Natural Family Planning involves the observation and charting of cervical mucus as well as the Basal Body Temperature. Secondary signs are also considered in determining fertility. The STM method is the result of the work of various scientists including Dr. Billings and Dr. Josef Roetzer.