| "Be Fruitful, Multiply, Fill the Earth and Subdue It"
Thus, he made co-creators and gave them that beautiful gift of Human Sexuality. However, from the beginning, man knew that there had to be some form of family planning. History of Natural Family Planning
The earliest methods were natural &endash; Man going to war, the female breast-feeding and the all time withdrawal method, the primitive methods of painting the penis with tar or shoving opium balls up the vagina.
In the past century, scientists have made great strides. Von Baer discovered ovulation in 1827. Pouchet discovered mucus in 1847. From Japan, Sweden, New York, Ogino, Knaus, Keefe all set us on the path to our present BOM. Drs John & Evelyn Billings together with Prof. James Brown and Prof. Erik Odeblard are still exploring into Reproductive Hormones and Mucus. Male and Female Reproductive Systems and Fertility
God actually set the stage for his co-creators to observe Natural Family Planning. At puberty, man becomes fertile and remains so for as long as he can stand. His basic sex cell &endash; The sperm lives for a day but in opportune conditions up to 2-3 days or even up to 5 days. His female, at puberty, starts her cycles of fertility and stops at menopause (48-52 years or thereabouts'). She is fertile only on one day in a fertility cycle (short, regular or long) when only one sex cell (egg or ovum) is released. This egg lives only 24 hours. Her reproductive years constitute phases of Fertility separated by longer phases of Infertility. Periodic Abstinence
Now, we no longer have the anti-lifer's yardstick of Extremes &endash;
'Total Abstinence …….. Contraceptives'
Today we have:
Total Abstinence …….. PERIODIC ABSTINENCE …….. Contraceptives So a woman resorts to intercourse during her fertile phase to make that eternal magic &endash; a baby, abstaining during the fertile phase if otherwise. So married couples enjoy God's gift of Human Sexuality, enriching and strengthening the marriage bond for a healthy background to raise a happy family.
He freely gave so that the female need not shield herself from her husband with an array of unhealthy disenchanting contraceptives.
In the practice of Periodic Abstinence, the Procreative and Unitive aspects of loving go together harmoniously promoting the SACRAMENT of Marriage in consonance with the Author of Life. The couples have an added bonanza &endash; Pleasure Deferred, Pleasure Doubled. N. F. P. couples are vibrant lovers &endash; going through a lifetime of courtship (when they abstain) and honeymoon (indulging in unreserved loving). Mucus Sensations
Today the basic stage is fortified with scientific basis and applicable knowledge. The Fertile/Infertile Phases have been exposed. Menstruation and Rhythm thrown out and Ovulation and its incumbent mucus triumphs in the BOM or Mucus Method.
With the arrival of puberty, a woman finds 'weather' changes down yonder. A series of sensations indicates a changing mucus - once thought to be due to infection or sex thoughts but now proclaimed the healthy indicator of ovulation (release of the mature egg from the ovary). This mucus released from crypts in the cervix (neck of the uterus or womb) flowing down the vagina becomes apparent to the woman at her vulva. The mucus sensations may be dry or sticky progressing to clear or slippery wet. The mucus marks the beginning and end of the fertile phase. It tells the woman she is fertile, that she may be approaching ovulation or that ovulation has occurred. Basic Infertile Pattern
When ovarian activity is absent a Basic Infertile Pattern (BIP) is seen in the pre-ovulatory phase &endash; a short BIP in a cycle of average length, greatly prolonged in a long cycle, and occupying the whole cycle when ovulation does not occur. There could be a BIP of dry days (dry sensation) or a BIP of mucus days (infertile mucus). Ovulation
When FSH stimulates an ovarian follicle with an egg which grows rapidly to completion, the Estrogen Release (ER) is magnanimous 1.5x/day over 5-6 days. The ER, causes a change in BIP. The mucus pattern attain fertile characteristics - slippery, lubricative or very wet, showing that ovulation has taken place.
At the peak of Estrogen, an LH Surge causes the growing follicle to release a second hormone &endash; Progesterone &endash; first, in small amounts &endash; then, in rapidly increased amounts. This Progesterone Change (PC) masks the last day of slippery mucus (Peak Day) ovulation taking place on this day or the next. Conception &endash; God's Gift &endash; A Couple's Triumph
The complex wonder of conception and love for its creator surely cannot fail to stir two loving hearts to love more deeply.
The application of BOM to prevent a pregnancy is NOT beginning with the right attitude, holding on to ignorance and eventually departure from the rules and unwilling acceptance of a pregnancy. Practising the BOM
A couple wanting to practice BOM charts the mucus sensations DAILY. Abstinence is important when charting the First Cycle. This could be stocktaking time for the Couples' Marital Harmony. Infertility symptoms are as important as Fertility Symptoms.
A first follow-up is fixed within two weeks &endash; lest they forget &endash; to boost their efforts at observation and charting &endash; reminding them of God's Infinite Source of Love and teachers availability &endash; also Registration and if time permits &endash; sharing and appointment for second follow-up.
Second follow-up &endash; a month later &endash; check Identification of Peak; rational of abstinence beyond Peak Day. Maybe observation and charting all over again.
Third follow-up &endash; repetition. If getting married shortly &endash; Rules of BOM and a reminder of God's Love and Eternity of the Centre. Teaching the BOM
Over the years &endash; since 1983 &endash; mainly to Engaged Couples from parishes &endash; 90-95% .
In East Malaysia &endash; ONE Session for married couples last year &endash; response good. Bases
- Church based - only Catholic's attend
- Church-Hospitals - non Christians too
- Weekly and fixed - so lapsed couples can attend at random
- Alternate weeks - a poor idea Outreach
- Factories
- Villages
- Schools
- Random &endash; at call &endash; eg. Women's League; BEC Groups Programme
- Presentation of 'Silent Screen' &endash; Abortion
- Philosophy of NFP
- Male and female Reproductive Systems &endash; Cycles &endash; Mucus
- Charting &endash; colour codes &endash; Fertile and Infertile Phases &endash; Peak Day
- Appointment for Follow-up in two weeks time
- Reminder to abstain for observation during the first cycle Couple's Verdict : "Best part of their EE Programme" (EVERY SESSION) Follow up &endash; A dire state &endash; few teacher's make NO follow-up and its' becoming trendy At our main centre, West Malaysia
- first follow-up: 60 &endash; 90% come back
- second follow-up : 10-60% come Autonomous couples (3 follow-ups before marriage)
(10 couples in 14 years) (3 follow-ups after marriage) Subtle difficulties: at first and maybe even second follow-up
- unable to feel sensation or see mucus &endash; found to be
- daily douching
- using panty liners daily
- observing once a day only
- same wet and cloudy feel/sight &endash; vaginal discharge
- using condoms instead of abstinence Natural Family Planning Service of Malaysia since 1983
West Malaysia &endash; Peninsula of Manland 150 teachers in 1996 today 200 teachers
East Malaysia &endash; Sabah, Sarawak 10 teachers in 1996 today 400 teachers All are Voluntary Workers. In 1990, with left over funds from Misereor (Germany) and from our pioneer President's Diocese &endash; we had a Pilot Project &endash; a fully paid worker. A staff nurse took the challenge. The area she covered was vast. In her follow-up visits, her waiting time was infinite because the teachers in those areas, were not helpful. She relinquished the post. Making of an NFP Teacher
4_ days of vigorous work culminating in Written and Oral &endash; Practical Tests &endash; 75% pass mark
Training programme is held on alternate years
In Peninsula Malaysia, 30-40 trainees/sessions
In East Malaysia, 75-125 trainees/sessions Client Joy
East Malaysia received BOM with gratitude. Some of them crying "Why did we not hear of this earlier?"
East Malaysian teachers travel deep into the interior sometimes taking one to three days to reach their client &endash; often staying overnight in the longhouse. Teacher's Joy
Teacher's meet at the BGM once in 2 years. Otherwise, single day seminars or retreats, family day or national day of prayer keep them committed.
Annual returns &endash; systematic data collection &endash; evaluation progress and objectives.
Some countries make a thousand over acceptors a month. We have only 10 acceptors a year and are happy with our quality control having so few teachers. Hopeful Joy
A refresher at WOOMB Centre or participation in NFP Programmes of other countries are a reward unthinkable.
Bringing in experienced teachers/speakers in relief programmes is a possibility Energy Sapping
As most teachers are full time workers, fund raising eats the energy. Role of Catholic Doctors
Christ the physician is the example for the Christian's Doctor. The Celebration of Life needs Medical Science to understand God's action.
A broad field of work awais you &endash; Catholic Intellectuals to be PRESENT and ACTIVE in places of Scientific and Technological research ……… all those who care about the defence and promotion of human life &endash; EVANGELIUM VITAE. NFP today for various reasons:
- Discontent with available contraceptives
- Fear of side effects of medication
- Religion
- Realization &endash; Fertility is not a disease and its control does not need medical intervention In Malaysia, so far only 4 doctors are Trained Teachers of NFP.
- Can more doctors train?
- Can doctors wives train?
- Can doctors nurses train?
- Can doctors clinics have an evening for NFP
- a fixed base
- a wall in the waiting room for NFP posters
- couples seeking premarital check-up are so happy to learn about NFPOrganising Forums, Sex Education
- Health and help in Pre-menopausal females
- Healing and reconciliation &endash; post abortion Guidance in Family Life Ministry Work &endash; Integrating of Services
Also Pregnancy Crisis
A monthly or quarterly? Report? Small Magazine? Role of Church
Pope John Paul II promotes NFP. More than 20 years ago as Archbishop of Crakow he directed his priests
"Never to witness the marriage of any couple who did not know god's way of controlling their fertility"
• A fact - not every couple goes through NFP.
• EE Programmes loosely structured
• Why not the marriage certificate from the NFP teacher
• Couples who go through Civil Registry, co-habitate and then walk down the isle. Some couples plainly say "our co-ordinator clearly told us - only when we receive the Sacrament"
• Couples without NFP follow-up "I don't have confidence in the method. How to? She tied her tubes after one baby"
• Can all seminarians attend NFP. The not so few who, came did well &endash; one topped the class
• Old clergy - "Do what you think is best in your own circumstance"
• "Follow your conscience" but conscience is a pupil (needs training) not a master
• "Humanae Vitae" The Church will NOT change its traditional teaching | 
