Can we talk BC for a hot minute?

steffiel · February 2011

I've been dabbling with the idea of going off the Pill and opting for natural BC because, well, the more I read about how exactly the pill works, what it does and it's effects on my body, the more I'm not a fan.

If you don't mind me asking, has anyone here tried or is currently going with the FAM (fertility awareness method) method? I guess you could also refer to it as NFP too, although it's slightly different.

For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about (I didn't either until recently), check it out.

I'm just looking for some thoughts/opinoins/trying to generate discussion. Big Smile

diablesse · February 2011

I did it for a while - before the wedding and it seemed to work. But now that we are actively trying to get preggers and I'm still not knocked up, I wonder if maybe it's a case of the defective baby maker.

debdebdol · February 2011

Whoa! Too complicated for me. I'll just have him pull out.

jedaniel · February 2011

debdebdol:
Whoa! Too complicated for me. I'll just have him pull out.

Did that for the past 7 years and never got KU!

Xtine22 · February 2011

I haven't been on BCP for about 2 years. When I moved to FL changed insurance and the pill was $40 a month! Granted I know thats a lot cheaper then a baby but it never made me feel right. I would be nauseous.

We didn't chart, I am thinking about starting to do that now to TRY and have a baby. I will probably wait a couple months of lets just see.

When I was not a BCP, we used the really effective method of pull and pray. Well I guess it actually was effective since I don't have a baby Cool

So I am really no help

QueenofAnything · February 2011

If I didn't use BC, I would never get a period. I WISH I could go off of it. *sigh*

aka, I'm totally useless for this discussion.

SusieQ1981 · February 2011

I'm lmao about 'stretchy fertile mucus' in the link...

Ferdy2584 · February 2011

not trying to throw anyone under the bus-- but I got a great deal of info from Jen/eM when I was inquiring about Family planning ....

)

emilyann21 · February 2011

I just got off the pill and am attempting this method so I'm not much help considering I'm learning. However, my body is wacky and I got put on the pill to have a regular period so we'll see.

I also wasn't a fan of how the bcp made me feel/act. I was a hellofahormonal person.

I've read that fertilityfriend.com (I think that's it) is a really good website for charting and keeping track. I'm still trying to figure all this out so it's all overwhelming to me.

Rawr08 · February 2011

Granted I do not post here often, but I thought I would stop in.

TCOYF is a great resource that will give you a wealth of knowledge on FAM. When you are ready to start a family it will also give you great info about that.

To start charting I suggest checking out Fertility Friend. It is a great website. My charts will show up when you click on the link.

HTH! GL!

citygirl17 · February 2011

I am totally with you on this Stef. I have never been on the pill - ever - for the same reasons you mentioned. I don't believe in pumping my body full of artificial hormones unless I need them for a medical reason - which I don't! I couldn't get my head around how that could possibly be good for my body since I have regular periods and no medical reason to be on BC other than not wanting a baby right now. I'm a believer in the Fertility Awareness Method, and H and I either pull out or sometimes even use condoms still (sorry if TMI). Lately he's been speaking up more and more about using a condom because "we're married now" and he doesn't think we should need to use one at all, even rarely. I agree with him. So, as we enter into the grey area where my getting preggers wouldn't be TOTALLY unacceptable (though we'd still like to wait another two years or so), I'm also going to be relying on that method more and more.

shauni27 · February 2011

i have been on BCP since was 14 and i am now (in 3 days) 26, so for 12 years. i do not want to continue to be on it due to the negative effects it can have on my body, but when i was younger my periods were INSANE and the bcp legit changed my life. maybe next year i will go off...

eMiLee920 · February 2011

Rawr08:
Granted I do not post here often, but I thought I would stop in.

TCOYF is a great resource that will give you a wealth of knowledge on FAM. When you are ready to start a family it will also give you great info about that.

To start charting I suggest checking out Fertility Friend. It is a great website. My charts will show up when you click on the link.

HTH! GL!

Ditto this! Although, I've only really skimmed some of TCOYF. I will sit down and read it one day.

And Ferdy's right. For years, I was on BC even though I hate taking medicine. After God's Plan/Pre-Cana, DH suggested I get off it. He was concerned I'd been on it so long. I've been charting on/off for about 18 months to get in the habit. I've been much more careful since the wedding as I officially went off in October but I'm actually still only charting temp (and we use backup). I can't seem to remember to check CM and tell the difference in types. I've heard it's really helpful to take a class - most dioceses offer them or can tell you where to take them.

diablesse · February 2011

Dear Jesus, I think I just got a seizure from that sig Rawr! hahaha

I also spent more time going through it than reading any one's post. It was mesmerizing.

brew311 · February 2011

I tried BCP in college to regulate my period and take the edge off the cramps. But they turned me into a sociopath, so I've stayed away. I prefer not to take ANY pills of ANY kind unless I'm in extreme agony for cramps or heartburn.

Until recently, DH and I were using the pull out method thinking we were "smart". Then I was diagnosed w/ PCOS, and since I'm not ovulating, there's no need for BC at all.

With the PCOS, I've thought about charting and BBT and cervical mucus, but it seems so complicated. The mucus part, not the temp part. So basically Steph, I like the idea of FAM, just not sure if I'm willing to put the time and effort into it. Plus, doc has me on meds to ovulate regularly, so perhaps for us it will happen naturally. But I DO think you should get off the pill ASAP and look for alternative methods if FAM isn't the route you choose.

LauraT25 · February 2011

I've been on BC since I was 15 because I'm all kinds of effed up. Hopefully I will get pregnant as soon as I stop the BC (sigh, yeah right) but if we have trouble I might think about charting. Honestly, though, I think that for me personally, charting would stress me out and build things up too much so it might be counterproductive for me. I'm more likely to use some kind of OTC kit to see if I'm ovulating than do all the other stuff.

Ferdy2584 · February 2011

for you smart phone users I believe there is an app for charting your most fertile days and what not-- my friend has it on her droid.....

stephaniem1977 · February 2011

I've been on BCP for God, 11 years straight? I'd personally be scared $hitless to not use an actual form of birth control as my family is very fertile so I don't want to take a chance. It also helps with my cramps, etc.

But I do have a crazy person theory that BC was designed by men for women to take to keep women down. I did say crazy person theory so no one get on my a$$.

sunshine_day_dreams · February 2011

Rawr08:
Granted I do not post here often, but I thought I would stop in.

TCOYF is a great resource that will give you a wealth of knowledge on FAM. When you are ready to start a family it will also give you great info about that.

To start charting I suggest checking out Fertility Friend. It is a great website. My charts will show up when you click on the link.

HTH! GL!

Ditto this. I have been using FAM for 7 months now, and no "oopsies" so far. :-) The information in both of these places is an excellent start.

I had been on BC for 13 years before this and I was scared to go off of it, too. Especially remembering how awful my cramps were without it, but it's been surprisingly nice. I'm not all hormonal and emotional (well, not as bad anyway) and I have much more of a drive. No way, no how could you convince me to go back to hormonal BC now.

Can we talk BC for a hot minute?

Re: Can we talk BC for a hot minute?

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