Artificial Birth Control – so many methods to choose from.  Unfortunately, the chemicals used to “control conception” can have harmful effects on a women’s body and her newly conceived child.  Some methods depend on an increased level of estrogen being introduced into a women’s body which decreases the uterine lining.  Should conception occur, the fertilized egg is unable to implant.  This type of birth control is considered an abortifacient, meaning that the fertilized egg, or newly conceived human, dies from lack of nourishment when unable to implant in the womb.  Over time, the high levels of   estrogen can increase a women’s chances of developing breast cancer.
 
Other types of birth control are invasive to a women’s body and can cause infection and scaring, making conception difficult or impossible in the future.  Although convenient, all birth control methods work against a women’s natural cycle of conception and lead husbands and wives away from knowing each other as God has made them.
 
Modern Methods of Artificial Birth Control:
      Early 1900s – barrier methods
      1950s – chemical/spermicides
      1960s – hormonal/oral contraception
      1970s – permanent/surgical methods
      1990s – implantable devices
 
Resources for Natural Family Planning
Diocese of Harrisburg, Family Ministries Office
Phone 717-657-4804
Natural Family Planning - Lancaster
Contact - Phone 626-9267
Humanae Vitae - Go to website at
www.vatican.va
 
Natural Family Planning – enables a couple to work with God’s plan of procreation and to space their family when health or other circumstances may make it necessary.  NFP uses the knowledge of a woman’s natural cycle to plan pregnancy or to delay it for a time.  It is natural, safe, uses no harsh chemicals and has no unhealthy side     effects.  Husbands and wives understand their unique relationship with each other and God, and have a more intimate and communicative marriage.
Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church has never been against family planning.  In fact, NFP is the only true method of family planning which allows us to choose times to bring new life into the world and also helps us to postpone pregnancy.
NFP is unique among the methods of family planning because it enables the couple to work with the body rather than against it.  Fertility is viewed as a reality to live, not a problem to be solved.
 
Modern Era Methods
Developed by Scientific Studies:
Early 1900s – rhythm method
1930 – basal body temperature
1960 – cervical mucus method
1971 – symptothermal  (cervical mucus &
            temperature)
1985 – Pope Paul VI Institute for the study of
            human reproduction developed the
           Creighton Model.
 
 
      “The responsible exercise of parenthood implies, therefore, that husband and wife      recognize fully their own duties towards God, towards themselves, towards the family and  towards society, in a correct hierarchy of      values.”  – Humanae Vitae (Encyclical issued by Pope Paul VI)
Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Director and now a pro-life advocate, wrote a book entitled Unplanned. We have this book available! Get your hard cover copy for only $12.50 in the Parish Office.