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These methods don't really work that well. I took the classes with a VERY open mind. Everyone that I talked to had at least one "oopsey daisy" baby.
I figured, my husband and I are not in any financial position to have have a Whoops baby, and being a burden on society is frowned upon in the church as well.
Its a lose, lose situation. I chose to follow modern medicine.
Sorry, I know you weren't asking. I guess I'm just tired...
You really don't need to know the method. I took the classes and monitored things but never did THAT. The one thing I was glad to learn was that I did not have a chronic yeast infection...
I'm interested to know as well. I personally don't intend on using it as birth control, but I would love to be in tune with my body and to know what's going on. It is also information I could use when we are ready to "pull the goalie" as a poster on weddingbee once dubbed it lol
So I wasn't familiar with the phrase you used, so I looked it up and came up with this website: http://www.contracept.org/symptothermal.php. It looks like it's beneficial to track both basal body temperatures and other fertility clues such as cervical secretions to know when intercourse will increase the probably of becoming pregnant. There is a really interesting chart called the NFP chart to help track the information you collect daily. It says that the average failure rate is 16% - so 16 out of 100 couples will become pregnant. That is significantly higher than with other types of contraception, so that may be something to consider.
Specifically regarding cervical secretions: http://www.contracept.org/ovulation.php
The ovulation method, or mucus method, requires that a woman be aware of what is taking place in her body. Any time the slippery stretchy mucus is noticed, intercourse should be avoided until two days after it is all gone — about eight days out of each cycle.
Maybe these will help you?
http://www.beyondfertility.com/art3.htm
http://www.drugs.com/cg/natural-family-planning.html
I've heard and tried a few different ways to check. I shower in the evening after going to the gym and I like to do it then. Sorry if this gets a little TMI...I usually prop a leg up on the side of the bath tub and use my finger to reach up. You really can't miss it.
I've heard it is better to do it later in the day because your cervix may not be in the right position after laying down all night. It was something that took me a few cycles to really understand. It's the only sign that after 5 cycles I"m still not 100% sure about.
It actually helped me a little this cycle because I had a few stressfull days before I ovulated and I was having concerns about my thermometer and its battery. Two days after I typically ovulate I was still soft and open and stayed that way until I did ovulate a day or so after that.
I wouldn't make all my decisions based on this sign, but it is nice to just have another sign to use as a check.
I also can't recommend enough the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility!
Sorry but maybe my question is unclear.
A part of using NFP has a woman give herself a self examination, and when I tried to do it, I am having trouble finding my cervix, so I am needing tips from women who use this method as part of their charting.
Maybe this will help?
http://infertility.about.com/od/tryingtoconceive101/ht/cervixovulation.htm
One thing the article points out and I can agree with due to my personal experience is that it is more difficult when you are close to ovulationg because it is so high and soft. Maybe that is why you are having trouble right now?
Our NFP teacher told us to do it in the evening time also because your cervix shifts at night, and you may have to push on your lower stomach a little bit for it to lower. I will read that link you sent me and try it again. I am just worried that I am not able to reach it...
First of all - People need to respond to the question at hand and not criticize any bee's choice on things... If I was asking what kind of bustle you wouldn't come in and say that you hate my dress and I should go shopping again, would you? Probably not.
Also, the STM "effectiveness" rates are actually better than the pill if you abstain from sex during fertile times and are slightly lower if you use a condom or barrier method. After all, if your method fails, it's only going to fail the 5 or so days your able to become pregnant.
That's not the question though... so, back to topic, eh?
1) I highly rec. joining fertilityfriend.com. You can input and track your info on the website and they have courses on doing the STM. I think chapter 9 is on how to check your cervix. This is also talked about in the book "Taking charge of your fertility." It may take a min. or two your first time, but it really does feel (shape wise) like it looks in your literature. I typically do this is the shower as well.
2) If your fertile it could just mean that it's too high for you to reach! lol And thus, should abstain ;-) This would also mean that after ovulation it would be low and firm again and you should be able to reach.
Thanks KLP you read my mind :)
We are actually already doing the course and I am charting on paper and with an APP on my G1 phone.
No prob. I know you're doing the course, but if you want more info on how to do it or find it, I wanted to give you online and "home" resources ;-)
"Taking Charge of Your Fertility" is a must if you don't already have it! It has tons of pics and great descriptions. I can't remember exactly what it says, but it has some comparative descriptions about how the cervix feels when soft, open, etc. One described touching the cervix to feeling like touch the tip of your nose...I just can't remember which part of the cycle that is. Sorry!
Anyways, good for you for using NFP!!! My husband and I are using it, and it can be a challenge but we check and double check everything and are pleased with all of it. I love knowing more about my body and having him learn too. The cervix is the only sympton we aren't tracking. I just wasn't confident about it, but that doesn't mean we won't add that in once we are set to rights on the other signs.
@ Kate - this is still a sign that I am having problems with too!
@KLP - While I agree that there are a limited number of days you will become pregnant, no matter what form of contraception you use, studies have looked at failure rates for "perfect use" and "actual use" of various forms of contraception. I am NOT saying that this method is a poor choice for women to use - I think it's really great that women can follow their cycle and make an informed decision about when intercourse will result in a higher probability and lower probability of pregnancy. I am just interested in how a method works during "actual use," not how well it should theoretically work.
Having said that, here are some statistics directly comparing various types of contraception: http://www.contracept.org/risks.php. I found this site really interesting - for example, they talk about how a meta-analysis of several studies was used to collect this data, etc.
Method of birth control / Failure rate with perfect use / Failure rate with actual use
No method / 85 / 85
Male condoms / 2 / 15
Sympto-Thermal / 2.6 / 16
Oral contraceptives / 0.3 / 8
Abstinence / 0 / 0
I just wanted to clarify what the information I posted about effectiveness rates means in practical terms. Again, I think this is a great choice of contraception as long as the couple relying only on this method is aware of the odds of pregnancy occurring. And of course, as you eluded to, using more than one from of contraception will decrease the likelihood of becoming pregnant.
EvaBostonTerrier - In this method, if you use a barrier method WHILE you are "fertile" you are actually MORE likely to have an "oops." As you show yourself, Abstinence / 0 / 0. If you decide to IGNORE your body, than have sex, of course your going to get preggers. iIf you DO follow the rules, then abstain, you have a much lower chance (0) of getting pregnant vs having sex while fertile with ANY method of BC. This discussion of NFP/FAM effectiveness has been had many times on the Bee and there is a time and a place.
This is NOT one of them and your entire post had nothing to do with how to find your cervix... which is what we ARE talking about.
I agree, this isn't for everyone... but I was TRYING to point out that this thread is for how to find a cervix not how reliable a method is, if there's a better one out there, or whatever. So, back to cervixes...again... lol
@KLP....I read through the comments that were posted and while each posting didn't ONLY address finding the cervix, checking mucus, etc...they did address the topic. The posters may have thrown in some "extra" information that wasn't asked for, but mostly did stay on topic. I didn't see anyone being critical...just stating that it's not for them...and then sharing what they know about the method.
"If I was asking what kind of bustle you wouldn't come in and say that you hate my dress and I should go shopping again, would you? Probably not."
Probably not...but I may suggest a bustle type and then throw in a veil or headpiece or other adornment that I think would look cute with the dress. Which jives a little more with what the other posters were doing.
@ alishadhs - If you are having trouble reaching, you might want to ask your OBGYN at your next appointment to help you find your cervix. It sounds really weird :) but apparently some people have longer vaginas or smaller hands, and it takes a little more effort/direction. When I first started charting, I asked my doctor for some help on how to perform cervical checks, and found out that I have to really stretch to reach my cervix. The "best" position for me to reach it was squatting, which helps shorten the vaginal length. Hope that helps!
I think it's great that you are charting all 3 symptoms! The cervical check is funny at first but after a few months it will feel a lot more familiar. Basically what you are feeling around for is a squishy (or taught, depending on the day) little donut shaped opening about the diameter of your fingertip. You should just be able to reach it with the the tip of your finger. It's a bit toward the back. It will take a while for you to get used to the different ways it feels on different days. Some days it is harder to find than others, so just keep trying and you'll get it. :)
Oh Oh I want to comment!! I just read "Taking Charge of Your Fertilty" and I was so blown away by it!! I just started charting my cycles 4 days ago, and I'm so excited to get started with FAM. (My Fiance and I are both virgins and are waiting until marriage, but I wanted a few months to start figuring these things out before we are married!).
@alishad -- thanks so much for posting this question! I'm learning alot from all the responses that have been posted!
@all the bees -- your responses are great! I'm learning alot from this post already!
Yeah, I, too, have a bit of difficulty finding my cervix...I've tried a few times and I think i touch it and then the next day it's gone--can't find it ANYWHERE during the infertile time before period! :/
I've read The Art of Natural Family Planning and I'm currently reading Taking Charge of your Fertility. As my wedding isn't for more than a year and I have a history of cycle irregularities, I thought 14 months of STM will prove valuable. I'll most definitely take a class with the CCL with a local teacher in my diocese. I'm currently using femilia.com as my website to chart my temperature, cervical mucous, and cervix position. It's a great tool!
My only issue with the first book is it's very Catholic (I'm Catholic so it's not an issue); however, some of the opinions expressed in the book were blatantly judgemental and actually go against how a Catholic should behave/word things--some of the way things are worded in the section about using the pill, condoms, IUD, etc are mean/wrong. Alot of the studies presented in their agruments were flawed, not to mention their judgemental tone (and I'm Catholic!), BUT I do agree that using those things are immoral.
With that said, I agree with previous posters, I definitely suggest Taking Charge of Your Fertility!
@missspring...thanks! I am going to ask my OBGYN next time because I seem to be having that problem as well
@joeyswife ...love the goalie reference hahaha :)
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I know one of the options for the sympto-thermal method is to do a cervical check and although it is not required, i feel like i should learn it. I know its kinda graphic, but if any of you ladies do this can you please describe to me the best way to do it? Thanks!