Traditional Catholic moms-spring 2010 - Page 3

[theboysmama]

I haven't posted in a while. I am really feeling alone right now as far as the church's stance on birth control. DH and I are using NFP as we really aren't in the position to have any more children at this time. It seems that most catholics that I know have had a permanant procedure or are using some type of hormone or barrier. Even a priest told dh that it wasn't necessary to obstain from birth control. Anyways, I thought I would post over here and hopefully find other moms that are practicing nfp.

I am Nicole, 34 yrs (i'll be 35 in May). I have been married to peter for 8 1/2 yrs. I converted in 2003 and we were married in the church at that time. We have 4 children walker 7 (almost 8), caden 5 (almost 6), cyrus 3 and katara 15 months and 2 babies in heaven. We attend risen savior catholic community in albuquerque. It is a good fit for us because they have a lot of programs for the kids including a nursery and that is what works best for our family. My 2 older kids attend a charter school.

I look forward to "meeting" all of you and maybe learning more about my faith.

[mum4boys]

Originally Posted by theboysmama

I haven't posted in a while. I am really feeling alone right now as far as the church's stance on birth control. DH and I are using NFP as we really aren't in the position to have any more children at this time. It seems that most catholics that I know have had a permanant procedure or are using some type of hormone or barrier. Even a priest told dh that it wasn't necessary to obstain from birth control. Anyways, I thought I would post over here and hopefully find other moms that are practicing nfp.

I am really sorry that you are having a rough time. Not to sound preachy but not sure if you are aware that most birth control like the pill or IUD does not prevent fertilization what it prevents is implantation. With proper use NFP has the same or higher rate as other forms of birth control at preventing pregnancy.

[theboysmama]

I am completely aware of what birth control does and that nfp has a rate. But condoms and vasectomy's don't let the egg be fertilized.
For the record: I fully agree with the church's teachings on birth. I believe that god will give us the children that we are supposed to have and will provide for us so that they can be taken care of. DH is done and feels overwhelmed at this point and he is on a medication that could be dangerous if I were to conceive so we are nervous about getting pg. DD was conceived 5 days before o while I was charting cervical mucous and cervical height. This time I am charting temp as well but my temps are real irradic due to lack of sleep, etc. I know what the right thing is just wish we had some support and that there were other people I new of irl that were practicing nfp as well.

[JMJ]

Hi theboysmamma! It's hard when it seems like you're the only couple around using NFP, and there's little respect for your struggles. Here are some NFP teachers in your area (from www.onemoresoul.com) if you need some encouragement or help with charting. The top two use Creighton, so they may not be able to help you with your temperatures. The third listing uses Couple to Couple League's sympto-thermal method, which sounds like what you're using.

Angelique Garcia LPN, BSE, CFCE Phone: [phone] NFP Model: CrM/PPVI Albuquerque, NM 87104 [e-mail] USA

Margaret A. Kneafsey FCP Phone: [phone] NFP Model: CrM/PPVI Albuquerque, NM 87108 USA

Cheryl and Marc Hallada Phone: [phone] NFP Model: STM/CCL Albuquerque, NM 87110 [e-mail] USA

If you need even more fertility information, Marquette University has combined traditional NFP with the use of the ClearBlue fertility monitor. From what I understand, though, the fertility monitor's weakness may be pinpointing the start of the fertile window. My midwife also recommended looking at saliva underneath a microscope to look for "ferning" patterns to signal a coming ovulation.

No matter how effective your NFP method, though, there's still an element of leaving it up to God. Even though NFP is just as effective as some of the top birth control methods, this trust and openness really sets it apart, as you are aware, probably now more than ever.

[mediumcrunch]

I'm planning on using the marquette method after LAM wears off with this next baby. temping doesn't work well for me as a)I'm hypothyroid and b) an insomniac and c)have kids that are lousy sleepers. creighton and billings are out because I finally realized I have a chronic low grade yeast infection that I cannot eradicate for the life of me. Completely asymptomatic-no smell, no itching-except it makes me have borderline EWCM for all but a couple days of my cycle which renders my ability to determine Phase III quite iffy hence baby #9 in June .
So I decided it is either Ovacue or Marquette and Ovacue isn't a good choice during breastfeeding.

[CherryBomb]

Grats on the convalidation Julie!

[theboysmama]

jmj- thank you. I actually have a class scheduled w/ cheryl and mark this afternoon. Dh suggested it hoping that maybe we could meet others that use nfp. I think i am doing it correctly and have the info I need. Lost my cervix the last couple of days though, has anyone else ever had that happen?
Glad to be a part of this thread, feels so good to have responses about NFP, makes me not feel as alone.

[mum4boys]

Nicole how did your class go?

I feel like death warmed over today. I hope this is just a 24 hour thing. The good or bad news is my ears are really plugged and I cannot hear the kids.

We have been reading the old testament out loud to the kids over the last month or so. I have missed a few days because of how I am feeling. I need to see if there is an online place that has a read out loud reader thingy.

[theboysmama]

The class went really well. There was only one other couple there and they were taking it as a requirment for their marriage. They were really quiet and hardly said a thing. The teaching couple was really great. They were an excellent testimony to how nfp strengthens marriages. Dh really participated and asked questions and I don't think he was as resentful after the class. They spent some time with us alone afterwards and it was all very helpful. I have 2 more classes left and am looking forward to them. My brother watched the kids so we had an awesome date.

mum4boys- sorry you are feeling so crummy. Hope you get better soon.

[JMJ]

Glad to hear your class went well and glad you were able to make a connection with another NFP couple.

[happyblessedmama]

Hi all! I don't check in here too often but did enjoy the last (winter?) thread.

I'm Christine, mom to 5 with #6 due in late Aug/early September. We live in rural western Alaska and attend the only Mass available to us. We'll have been married 10 years this June... it's late and I can't think of much else to say.

[mum4boys]

Welcome Christine,

Where in Alaska do you live at? How often do you have a priest visit? Congratulations on number 6.

[moonshoes]

Hi all, I am just checking in. I am Catherine, married to Ronald for 12 years. We have 3 children 8,6 and one month! Francis Albert was born 3/16/10 and is quite the big boy - already over 13 pounds!

We live in Massachusetts, the Worcester Diocese and are really overwhelmed right now trying to figure out where the Lord is leading us, and struggling to fulfill His wishes for our family. He is great and merciful, and I am so grateful to Him for all His blessings.

[happyblessedmama]

we live in Bethel in western Alaska about 40 miles inland from the Bering Sea. We are fortunate to have a resident priest - at one point we were without one for over a year. The isolation tends to "get to" a lot of people... the priest "went on vacation" and never came back.

[mum4boys]

Originally Posted by happyblessedmama

we live in Bethel in western Alaska about 40 miles inland from the Bering Sea. We are fortunate to have a resident priest - at one point we were without one for over a year. The isolation tends to "get to" a lot of people... the priest "went on vacation" and never came back.

How long have you lived in Bethel? That is funny in a sad way about your priest.

[happyblessedmama]

we've lived here 7 years. Agreed to come out for 2.5, we just haven't left (yet). I don't know if it's "home" forever - we are looking for a larger house and if that doesn't pan out I think our time here is drawing short.

[z2akids]

Hi mamas. I'm Jennifer mom to Zachery 9, Alexander 6 and Abigail 5. DH and I are both cradle catholics and we're in the Columbus, Ohio Diocese. DH and I have been married for 11 1/2 years and I will be 40 next month. Ouch, I can hardly believe that I'm pushing 40.

Our two oldest attend our Parish school and our daughter is in the Parish preschool and will begin kindergarten in the fall. She can hardly wait. I am also in school. I am in nursing school - changing my path dramatically, but I feel led to that calling. I've been a SAHM for 5 years now and am scared to go back to work in a totally new field once I'm finished, but I believe that it is where our family is being led.

I pop in here now and again, but life gets so busy, that I find myself away for months at a time.

[InchByInch]

Hi all! Cradle Catholic here, and loving every bit of it. I recently started saying the Rosary every day as a novena (http://www.hail-mary-rosaries.com/rosary-novena.html), and it's been such a help to me... what a gift that prayer is!

Hope everyone's having a blessed Easter!

[mum4boys]

Welcome inchbyinch and z2akids

[Fay]

I'm Fay, a cradle Catholic married for 16 years to a non-Catholic, mom of 2 boys ages 9 & 3. I haven't posted in the Catholic threads here for some time, but I need prayers and advice right now. My DH and I were married in the Church. DH started off being supportive of my spirituality, then tolerant, now he is actively demanding that I leave the Church because of the current scandal. Our children were baptized Catholic and go to church with me for all Sundays and holy days, plus I pray with them every day. I love being Catholic and my favorite part is teaching my children about various Catholic traditions and liturgies, such as the different types of Latin Masses, Eastern Catholic liturgies, etc. DH does not want our children involved in the Catholic Church in any way and he does not want me to donate any money to our tiny, very poor parish. He will not talk to my priest or deacon. He is outraged by the behavior of the Church leadership. I personally would like to see the appropriate people tried in a court of law and all allegations dealt with transparently. But this does not satisfy DH. Please pray for my marriage, which was already struggling before the Church scandal, and share your ideas about how you answer questions from non-Catholics about the Church crisis.