tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post4845816342939668925..comments2024-03-21T04:02:46.799-07:00Comments on Little Catholic Bubble: The Natural Family Planning Post!!!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-65498810992917467692015-07-13T23:37:48.414-07:002015-07-13T23:37:48.414-07:00Hello! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up ...<br />Hello! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you’ve got<br />here on this post about <a href="http://www.awomanshaven.com/unplanned-pregnancy-and-abortion" rel="nofollow">unplanned pregnancy and abortion</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01922840665519594126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-41339154478474027282014-01-20T06:17:42.654-07:002014-01-20T06:17:42.654-07:00Hi, Leila!
I found your blog a couple of years ag...Hi, Leila!<br /><br />I found your blog a couple of years ago, loved it, read almost everything, then forgot about it! I was looking through my bookmarks yesterday for something else and found it again. LOVE the post comparing the popes! I feel exactly the same way. =)<br /><br />I read your post about NFP and I thought I would write to let you know about another resource you might be interested in if you ever do a follow-up post. I noticed a few comments expressing difficulty with mucus-only methods and some questions about the return of fertility after childbirth while breast-feeding. Also I saw someone refer to ecological breastfeeding as "no bottles or pacifiers", as you probably know, there is a lot more to it than that!<br /><br />Anyway, http://www.nfpandmore.org/ is the website started by John and Sheila Kippley (the founders of The Couple to Couple League) after their forced separation from the Couple to Couple League. They offer full instruction in all of the readily observable signs of fertility including mucus, the cervix and temperatures, so that you can make an informed choice as to which are most helpful to you.. They offer free, downloadable charts and a printable version of the entire manual is downloadable for free from the website (although they ask that you consider a $10 donation, if you are financially able to). Sheila's book Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing is an excellent explanation of attachment-style parenting and the ecological breastfeeding that goes with it and the natural infertility it provides. John Kippley's book Sex and the Marriage Covenant is a beautiful, easy to understand explanation of God's plan for marriage.<br /><br />The website has tons of great information to deepen your understanding of and appreciation for our God-given gift of fertility and the purpose of marriage.<br /><br />God bless you and yours and thank you so much for your uplifting and informative blog!<br /><br />Marie <br />mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03448821742492192185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-11976780107984730672013-05-23T22:49:33.019-07:002013-05-23T22:49:33.019-07:00This is very good information a really nice blog. ...This is very good information a really nice blog. keep it up!!!<br /><a href="http://www.orangefamilymedicalcenter.com/index.php/prenatal-family-planning-orange-county-ca" rel="nofollow">family planning orange county</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12695709857866884044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-10001204770837291892013-04-09T22:03:44.277-07:002013-04-09T22:03:44.277-07:00I just wanted to say I am glad to know I'm not...I just wanted to say I am glad to know I'm not alone. Well, not that it is a fun place to be! But I share the problem of not seeming to have many dry days! I was trained in the Billings Ovulation Method by a Catholic couple (the man was a doctor, too). I went back to meet with them a couple times but never really felt confident in my charting. Never understood when to use the yellow baby. Read the instructions over and over. Bought the hard-to-find book over the internet. Thumbed through that. Just felt helpless. I talked to priests about it. Got completely mixed reactions. Don't live near my teachers anymore. Stopped charting. Recently read about a "2 day Method" of NFP which sounded so much easier... just observe if you are dry... don't worry about the other details. ("Am I dry today? Was I dry yesterday?) WELL I have been monitoring for weeks now and even the days I feel dry I find mucus so I don't think they count as dry days. UGH!! SO FRUSTRATING. Hubby wants kid #2 right away. I want to wait. I don't know how to find a teacher for the 2 day method though it's starting to sound just as hopeless as the others.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08561744526977649814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-40390631826663367542013-02-28T14:19:28.804-07:002013-02-28T14:19:28.804-07:00Taylor, as long as you link back to this post, tha...Taylor, as long as you link back to this post, that would be fine! :)Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-75332082872016730772013-02-28T14:17:03.395-07:002013-02-28T14:17:03.395-07:00Hi Taylor! I'm the author of this post, but I ...Hi Taylor! I'm the author of this post, but I would be happy if these graphics/information got more use so please do use them! Just please reference my blog/the original source for whatever you use. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-63702633955578508952013-02-27T12:24:02.147-07:002013-02-27T12:24:02.147-07:00Leila, would you mind if I used some of the inform...Leila, would you mind if I used some of the information, graphics, and resources in this post on my blog?<br /><br />I have been wanting to write a post on how to practice NFP for some time. (My wife and I use NFP and I want the world to know how amazing it is!)<br /><br />Please let me know.<br />And if you want to check it out, my blog can be found here:<br />http://maninpursuit.blogspot.com/T Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09865909048756159409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-33177758618194971382013-01-15T21:59:46.208-07:002013-01-15T21:59:46.208-07:00Hi Catholicrose! You should get in touch with an N...Hi Catholicrose! You should get in touch with an NFP teacher in your diocese (or through Couple to Couple League if you can't find one in your area), and they will be able to walk you through those circumstances. There are special rules for breastfeeding and menopause, which are very helpful and equally effective! :)<br /><br />God bless you!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-7375340862264023492013-01-12T22:02:55.968-07:002013-01-12T22:02:55.968-07:00Help! I am struggling with NFP because I am curren...Help! I am struggling with NFP because I am currently breastfeeding an 11 month old and have no sign of menses in the past two years. Does anyone have any advice on how to track fertility while breastfeeding?? - 25 year old mother of two : )<br /><br />I am so grateful for experienced mothers letting me know about the motherhood tunnel! It is very hope inspiring. :DHilary Cesarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05710467922122064562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-46587359731786334272013-01-02T10:07:46.948-07:002013-01-02T10:07:46.948-07:00Maria, I am so sorry for your suffering! I have fo...Maria, I am so sorry for your suffering! I have followed your story through the years, and I thought I had told you before that you may definitely have a hysterectomy for medical reasons! Yes, it's entirely licit. My own sister had one for her medical issues. A pathology can be treated, for sure. <br /><br />Adoption seems to be the "glaring" answer to your desire for motherhood. I am sure there are many waiting children who would love to be in a family! Please consider it! You could start as a foster mom, even.<br /><br />I will pray for you, Maria!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-52703100899368892152012-12-30T00:32:15.567-07:002012-12-30T00:32:15.567-07:00Well, I wasn't married until I was almost 41 a...<br />Well, I wasn't married until I was almost 41 and hubby was almost 43. We have always been open to life. We hoped and prayed to be able to have children, but I guess it's not God's will for us. I still feel sad about it. I really hoped and prayed to be able to have children. I was diagnosed with endometriosis stage four eight months after getting married at age 41 and had to endure two surgeries. I was seeing an excellent Napro doctor for awhile, but then Hubby told him that we "weren't interested in fertility anymore." which wasn't exactly true - I'm still hoping and praying for a miracle! There are no Napro or Catholic pro-life MDS/GYNs around here. I did have to go see a secular GYN who was very nice, BUT she wanted to put me on Lupron or recommended a hysterectomy due to the endometriosis. She told me because of the endo I am in danger of developing ovarian cancer (All you have to do is mention the "C" word to me and I'm done - months before my first surgery the doctors kept telling me they didn't know if the cysts on my ovaries were Cancer and I'd sit there and cry while praying my rosary begging God and the Blessed Mother to please save my ovaries and fertility. It caused extreme anxiety! You see, my beloved Nana died from colon cancer and it was horrible seeing her suffer like that and wither away.). So now I'm scared of developing ovarian cancer, thanks to this doctor and my mother in law who was a Nurse (I haven't met her yet). Is it true having a hysterectomy is against the Catholic church? Would it be a sin for me to have this surgery for medical reasons? It certainly would not be to prevent new life. That has never been my intention and never will be. This endometriosis causes a lot of pain though, but in reality because I'm 46 now, my cycles are NOT as horrible as they were when I was younger. <br /><br />Because I can't have children, I've often wondered why and what God wants me to do. I've wondered - what is my purpose? Well, the other night my husband had this amazing dream where the Blessed Mother told him that I am a "Prayer Warrior for the Unborn and for women who have difficulty having children." I really LOVED LOVED LOVED hearing about this. Also Hubby says the Blessed Mother said in the dream: "Maria, can be very persistent, can't she?" Hearing all this really encouraged me and made me so happy! I really needed to hear this!<br /><br />I've just felt so sad over the years wanting a child and trying to do everything I can (within the Catholic Church's teachings) to be able to have one. I've been told by relatives and doctors that I need to be on birth control and try IVF. I told them "No." I was offered by my best friend's neice that she was willing to be a surrogate for me. I had to tell her "No" and explain to her gently why, which was difficult. It is very very difficult to want something so much (Motherhood) and be unable to obtain it. I've apologized to my husband over and over for being unable to give him any children. I've cried buckets over not being able to have any children. I still don't understand why the answer looks to be "No". Maybe I'm supposed to offer up this pain and suffering to save other souls? To help end abortion? Bring souls out of purgatory (Hubby was told in his dream my Dad who died in 2002 was in Purgatory and my suffering was to be used to help Dad reach Heaven!)? Maybe that's why. I don't know.<br /><br />All I know is that I will never do anything that will cause me or the hubby to lose our souls and heaven, even if we are never blessed with a child. <br /><br />All of you who are blessed to be Mothers - you are very blessed! You all are in my prayers!<br /><br />May God Bless us all.<br />Maria Maria https://www.blogger.com/profile/01620122996830327060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-12433175021262037512012-12-13T10:03:38.120-07:002012-12-13T10:03:38.120-07:00Leila--This is so helpful--such a great resource! ...Leila--This is so helpful--such a great resource! I googled NFP Baby days, and you popped up--so since I kind of "know" you, I picked you! We are nursing (pumping because of special needs) and because of those special needs/surgeries it would be extremely hard at this time to conceive but with NFP, at least if we do end up getting pregnant, it is part of God's plan, and with God's plan there must be faith and trust that all will be ok. <br /><br />We've been "doing it" on the first day of fertile days after menstrating, which for me is about 6 days after and those fertile days last for about 6 days. It's a hard time to abstain, because it's when I want it most. Anyway I just had to check the "rules" we've been using it on and off for so many years, this is a great resource for a refresher! I guess after reading this, we shouldn't be doing that if we don't want to conceive right now. Oops. That's where the trust comes in. Thank you so much! Jamie Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678469484585027738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-17077547307052663032011-04-20T14:06:53.444-07:002011-04-20T14:06:53.444-07:00Thanks, RTL!!!Thanks, RTL!!!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-73427695865812703912011-03-31T21:30:51.706-07:002011-03-31T21:30:51.706-07:00I've been using NFP since May 2003. In that ti...I've been using NFP since May 2003. In that time, I've had five pregnancies. Four were planned (3 births, 1 miscarriage) and 1 was unplanned (miscarriage). During the time of the unplanned pregnancy, I was going through a stressful time (had quit my job w/ a verbally abusive boss and had just started a new one) and was charting rather sloppily. I can't say we were all that surprised when the pregnancy test was positive, even though s/he was 'unplanned'. Still, we were devastated when we lost him/her. S/he was unplanned but not unwanted.JoAnna Wahlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09942928659520676271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-24574983509363776232011-03-31T19:56:34.783-07:002011-03-31T19:56:34.783-07:00Anon, I never had a surprise pregnancy while still...Anon, I never had a surprise pregnancy while still contracepting. I think you may be thinking of the time the condom broke when I was with my husband. We did not get pregnant that time. But the condom definitely broke, with two experienced users! :)Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-62854056774868421122011-03-31T19:54:54.503-07:002011-03-31T19:54:54.503-07:00Anon, forgive me! I made the PP comment because I ...Anon, forgive me! I made the PP comment because I thought I was responding to the thread on the Culture War, where we were discussing the Pill's failure rates. Sorry! I didn't mean to be controversial..... just in the wrong conversation! :)Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-41410304166448824932011-03-31T19:53:23.980-07:002011-03-31T19:53:23.980-07:00Anon, I'm sure it's my memory (which isn&#...Anon, I'm sure it's my memory (which isn't so hot), but which post did I talk about a pregnancy being unplanned?Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-81674577453667666492011-03-31T19:51:49.348-07:002011-03-31T19:51:49.348-07:00Hi Anonymous,
Actually, the only true surprise wa...Hi Anonymous,<br /><br />Actually, the only true surprise was baby number six and let me tell you why:<br /><br />We tried for a year and a half to get pregnant with him. After five easy conceptions, we were shocked that month after month we did not conceive. After a year and a half, I just assumed I was too old. We were utterly shocked and thrilled when John surprised us!! We quickly decided to try again a year later, and lost that baby early. Two more planned babies later, we are raising eight. <br /><br />Jen at Conversion story may be more the narrative you are looking for? She says they are "bad at NFP" and she has many little ones! :) Everyone loved and welcomed, even if "unplanned".<br /><br />The difference between an "unplanned" NFP baby and an "unplanned" PP baby is that the PP baby is almost surely set for termination, while the NFP baby is welcomed in love.Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-60903618883123706962011-03-31T19:46:19.267-07:002011-03-31T19:46:19.267-07:00Leila, how many of your 8 children were "surp...Leila, how many of your 8 children were "surprises"? <br />(and yes, I've been reading your blog long enough to know you had a "surprise" while still contracepting)<br /><br />I'd also like to extend the question to any other mothers (/fathers) of large families that use NFP to avoid pregnancyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-52143526183200656672011-03-30T18:14:47.285-07:002011-03-30T18:14:47.285-07:00For women in Canada, the Serena sympto-thermal met...For women in Canada, the Serena sympto-thermal method is available (similar to Couple to Couple League in the US with a couple teaching a couple).<br />http://serena.ca/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-27046290907857178992011-03-12T15:02:20.143-07:002011-03-12T15:02:20.143-07:00Hi PLR! Alison and I have discussed it, and we'...Hi PLR! Alison and I have discussed it, and we've agreed to leave the terminology as is. Here's part of our reasoning:<br /><br />Since we were discussing ovulation and release of an egg, we didn't want to confuse the reader into thinking that just any egg would send the signal and HCG to keep producing progesterone, but only a <i>fertilized</i> egg. We didn't go into the details of pregnancy or what happens during pregnancy, since that would have created a much longer post. Those points are gone over in NFP classes, but this was just a quick intro. <br /><br />Personally, I am and have always been prolife, but I also have used and understood the term "fertilized egg" to mean a new person. "When an egg is fertilized..." to me means "new human life, new person, new baby". But I admit, that's just me.<br /><br />Isn't the term zygote also "dehumanizing" even as it is accurate? Blastocyst doesn't tell me that's a human any more than "fertilized egg", and it is more foreign sounding and technical for the lay reader. If we are honest, anything less than "and then the little baby implants" could be seen as dehumanizing. <br /><br />It's the think that I find interesting about the term "fetus".... pro-aborts use the term to dehumanize the unborn, and yet we pro-lifers understand that "fetus" means "little one" (literally). So, I think almost any term can be dehumanizing, and yet every one of the terms means a human life, a person.<br /><br />Anyway, I am going to leave it as is, because I think it's most clear in the context of this post. <br /><br />(And, everyone reading this blog and post will know without doubt that we are 100% pro-life, so there should be absolutely no confusion.)<br /><br />Thanks for your input though, and please know we really took it seriously!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-49189508307169567712011-03-09T17:55:40.123-07:002011-03-09T17:55:40.123-07:00Just wanted to say hello and thank you to Alison a...Just wanted to say hello and thank you to Alison and Leila! Although not so common, I'm a single girl using NFP to diagnose and treat PCOS. I just had the ovarian wedge resection last summer with Dr. Hilgers in Nebraska and it worked wonders!! SO grateful to NFP and Napro!! :)Laura @ Life Is Beautifulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11217783333084830679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-23245191590129673042011-03-09T16:07:27.722-07:002011-03-09T16:07:27.722-07:00PS: Megan, I am so glad you are out there and teac...PS: Megan, I am so glad you are out there and teaching Creighton in Tucson!! I love your site!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-1732731791892177952011-03-09T16:05:51.096-07:002011-03-09T16:05:51.096-07:00Megan, Tucson is my hometown and I realize looking...Megan, Tucson is my hometown and I realize looking back that there are some serious problems in that diocese. It's so different from the Phoenix diocese. I wish Tucson would use Phx as the model for marriage prep. We heard nothing about it when I got married in Tucson.Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-79625520709809287732011-03-09T15:51:34.723-07:002011-03-09T15:51:34.723-07:00This is a wonderful post! Thank you, Alison &...This is a wonderful post! Thank you, Alison & Leila!<br /><br />Theresa EH: I went through marriage prep in the Phoenix diocese, and expected that some NFP instruction was a typical requirement. I was really saddened when I found out just how wrong I was. I teach Creighton in Tucson, where there is no requirement at all for NFP instruction for marriage prep within the diocese, so I am right there praying with you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com