Natural Family Planning

NFP Events

Jess — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:52:37 +0000

[Update: Two new events posted below.]

Debate|Contraception: Is it harmful to women? (Thomas Center, Boulder, Colorado) January 26th, 7pm

Flyer

Is the Pill Necessary for Women’s Health? In Introduction to NaProTechnology(Diocese of Richmond, Virginia) February 5, 10am
“ENDOW in a day” One day study: Humanae Vitae (ENDOW, Denver) February 11
NFP Medical Mini-Conference (Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan) February 25

Flyer

Annual NFP Conference (Philadelphia NFP Network, March 24, 2012)

Flyer

Janet Smith Debates Christine Gudorf

Jess — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:14:39 +0000

Holy Smokes! If ya’ll are going to be near Northern Colorado in late January, save the friggin’ date, because this is going to be an interesting dialogue of wits. Janet Smith, the the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and consultor to the Pontifical Council on the Family, will be debating fellow Catholic professor, Dr. Christine Gudorf, a liberation theologian and second wave feminist of quasi-secular persuasion.

It will be *fascinating* to see how the questions are posed, and how the dialogue proceeds. Both of their expertise are theological, but their respective theological “languages” or understandings are worlds apart. If the debate involves questions of sociological and scientific proof–done. Smith’s got science and social science on her side.

Thursday January 26th at 7:00 pm
Cristol Chemistry 140, UC-Boulder Campus

The Aquinas Institute for Catholic Thought (AICT) is excited to announce that it will be hosting its 5th annual Great Debate on Thursday, January 26th at 7:00 PM on the University of Colorado-Boulder campus in Cristol Chemistry 140. Dr. Janet Smith from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and Dr. Christine Gudorf from Florida International University will go head-to-head over the question, “Is Contraception Harmful to Women?” All college students are free (with ID) while all others are $5 a ticket. Tickets are necessary for entrance so please obtain your ticket as soon as they are available..

You may purchase or obtain your ticket in a number of ways:

If purchasing, you can do so online at by clicking here.
Both free and $5 tickets will be available after all weekend Masses at St. Thomas on January 14th-15th and 21st-22nd while supplies last.
College students may obtain a ticket at our table at the UMC between the hours of 11am and 3pm from the 16th-19th and 24th-26th while supplies last.
College students may also obtain a ticket at any time at our Catholic Student Center by visiting the receptionist during business hours (1520 Euclid Ave).
If there are tickets still available before the event, you may obtain one outside the auditorium an hour before the debate begins.

Please call 720.564.1111 for more information.

Fertility News Round Up

Jess — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:13:26 +0000

News/ Studies

Current Medical Research (USCCB medical review, Fall 2011)

See especially:

Past Use of Oral Contraceptives Associated with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
Most European Women Want to Be Informed of Post-Fertilization Effects of Contraceptive Methods
Common Form of Hormonal Contraception Increases Cardiovascular Risk

Birth Control Pills May Keep Nuns Healthy (FoxNews)–more coming on this
Wisconsin Catholic Hospitals Reimbursed Under Family Planning Waiver (read: Catholic Hospitals violate Catholic Health Directives)
Involving Men in Family Planning (Inquirer.net)–This article refers largely to contraceptive services, but I think there are points and lessons here on getting men to promote NFP.

Editorial & Commentary

The Church of Kathleen Sebelius (Wall Street Journal)
How Evil is Your Birth Control Manufacturer? (Jezebel)
Yaz, Yasmin & Ortho Evra Patch increase risk of blood clots (Society of Menstrual Cycle Research blog)
Leadership in Pharmaceutical Companies: Where are the Women? (RH Reality Check)
Plan ‘Oh No They Didn’t': Roundup of Response to Plan B decision (Ms. blog)
New Birth Control Decisions Don’t Mean Birth Control is Killing You (Jezebel) [It's not killing you yet]

Reflections

Raising Human Beings & Life Lessons from the Duggars (Millions of Miles Blog)
Natural Family Planning–Does it work for everyone? Check out her earnest, albeit flawed reasoning (WhatToExpect.com)

NaPro Surgeon Signs with Richmond Hospital

Jess — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:29:32 +0000

Introducing Christine Louise Cimo Hemphill, M.D.

She is an obstetrician/gynecologist who is completing her fellowship training in Medical & Surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY with Dr. Thomas Hilgers, co-creator of the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. She’s currently being trained to surgically treat Endometriosis, Tubal Disease, Chronic Endometritis, Polycystic Ovaries, Pelvic Adhesions in ways which will preserve fertility and decrease the formation of future pelvic adhesions (scarring). In addition to this training, She’s also preparing to treat PMS, ovulation defects, luteal phase defects, Thyroid System Dysfunction, abnormal mucus cycles, ovarian cysts, postpartum depression as well as implementing obstetrical care which greatly reduces the preterm delivery rate.

In August, 2012, she starts at a new practice at St. Francis Medical Center, a hospital within the Bon Secours Hospital System in the Richmond, Virginia area. Her focus will be mainly infertility patients, but will continue to practice general obstetrics and gynecology.

FertilityCare–a natural approach

D. Hemphill is an NFP-only (specifically, CrMS) physician. She hopes work in conjunction with the surrounding FertilityCare Medical Consultants and FertilityCare Practitioners. I am also training to be a FertilityCare Practitioner, so I will be taking on clients who want to learn to chart, too. I will be receptive to patients both within Virginia and from neighboring states.

About Dr. Hemphill
Hometown of Sumter, SC. Received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina in May 2003 (Columbia, SC). Received my Doctorate in Medicine from the Medical University of South Caroina in May 2007 (Charleston, SC). Completed my residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Pitt County Memorial Hospital/East Carolina University in June 2011 (Greenville, NC). Will complete my fellowship training (Pope John Paul II Fellowship) in Medical & Surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY from Pope Paul VI Institute in July 2012 (Omaha, NE). I have been married to my husband, Jason, since July 2004. We have 2 children, with one more expected to make a debut in June 2012.

Maternity of Anna

Jess — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:57:23 +0000

I did a quick guest post over at the Apostolate of Hanna’s tears blog on today’s Byzantine Catholic feast, the Maternity of Anna. Check out why today’s feast was moved to December 8th for unity, and read a beautiful prayer about a woman who was called barren, Mary’s mother, St. Anne.

Also, if you don’t know the legend of the Meeting at the Golden Gate (take all Wikipedia entries with a grain of salt), you must take a look at this painting which I recently had the chance to view in person, Filippo Lippi’s “Meeting at the Golden Gate”,

This painting made me cry–it’s really quite tremendous.

(Side note: today is also the feasts of Old Testament St. Hannah & St. Juan Diego in the Roman Rite.)

Wyoming Events: Women’s Health Lectures

Jess — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:00:01 +0000

Dr. Steve Hickner is an NFP-only OB/GYN in Lander, Wyoming, and he will be giving two last talks in his fall/winter lecture series through Central Wyoming College’s Lander Campus. If you’re in the area, you should definitely check them out. If you’re not, make sure you spread the word for those who might be!

Maintaining Cardiovascular Health in Menopause: Proven Strategies/ December 7, 2011, 7-8pm
Thyroid and Other Hormone Dysfunction: Sorting through Fact and Fiction/ December 14, 2011, 7-8pm

Dr. Stephen Hickner, MD will present a series of lectures twice each month throughout the fall semester on women’s health issues. Dr. Hickner is a former associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine. He has served as Clerkship Director for third year medical students rotating on their OB/GYN Clerkship. He has also taught residents in training for the specialty of OB/GYN. He is Board Certified in the specialty of OB/GYN and now practices in Lander.

To register for any or all of these lectures, please call 332-3394 or stop by the CWC Lander Center @ 427 Main St. Each lecture is $5.00/person and goes to support the CWC Lander Continuing Education program. All lectures held at the CWC Lander Center, Room 110

John Mulaney on Femininity

Jess — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:17 +0000

Edith Stein wrote a great deal about womanhood and femininity, which is why she’s a feminist icon for so many. The idea of femininity as inherent to the female person, she taught, and not just a learned social construction as is taught widely now.

I’m a comedy nerd, as well as a feminist nerd, so it’s great when those two worlds meet in my media consumption! Last year I discovered John Mulaney, who, it turns out is a writer for Saturday Night Live. I like his timing, and I love how in this clip he’s not afraid to point out a common sense (and anthropologically correct) approach to gender, which for some circles is very un-PC. [FYI, sensitive souls--one bleeped swear word.]

Jokes.com

John Mulaney – Drag Queens

comedians.comedycentral.com

John Mulaney

Comedians

Stand-Up

Fertility News Round Up

Jess — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:58:19 +0000

[Update: Two additions below.]

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Jess — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:53:51 +0000

[Update: I've got another month here at this domain, and would like to keep it here, but cashola for the Smiths is short. If you would like to see NFPworks stay in its current format--rather than an abbreviated format elsewhere, let me know!]

Head’s up readers: things are a changin’ for the ‘ol NFP blog here. No, shhhh. Shhh…. calm down. It’s going to be okay. Until thanksgiving weekend is over, I’m going to park this baby over at my old WP address: nfpworks.wordpress.com. After I get back from vacay, I’m moving the blog formally over to a subdomain of the Edith Stein Foundation. Stay tuned….And have a great holiday weekend, Americans.

Humanum: New Journal on Family, Culture, Science

Jess — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:46:37 +0000

If you care about the dignity of the human person (and therefore feminine dignity), there are three things you should know about:

The John Paul II Institute for Marriage & Family (worldwide, but numbers 2 & 3 below are out of the Washington, DC location)
Center for Cultural & Pastoral Research
Humanum Review: the quarterly review of the CCPR (edited by Stratford Caldecott)

While I am currently pursuing my Masters in Marriage & Family Studies through Maryvale Institute, it would be an honor and dream to study at the John Paul II Institute. The faculty are amazing, the program solid (I have friends who are graduates) , and the effects of such academic work extraordinary. Bookmark the CCPR & Humanum. Caldecott is an excellent editor, a brilliant intellect, a holy man, and I am honored to call him a friend.

If you are so inclined, here’s the information for submissions to Humanum:

The Editors welcome suggestions of books (and films) that our readers feel ought to be reviewed. We are also looking for available reviewers, if suitably qualified.

Suggestions can be sent via the Assistant Editor at Humanum.Review[at]gmail.com.

We cannot promise to acknowledge or enter into correspondence concerning editorial decisions. Our general aims are spelled out on the “About” page. We hope you will enjoy Humanum. – S.C.

NFP & the “Contraceptive Mentality”

Jess — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:20:45 +0000

[I have used the term "contraceptive mentality," but I must say that Fr. Erlenbush's piece made me give pause to how I use my words. Words and phrases mean so much, and lead people closer to understanding or further away.]

by Fr Ryan Erlenbush

This coming Sunday [retro post--1st Sunday in October] has been designated by the bishops of the United States as “Respect Life Sunday”. As we pray and work for an end to abortion, it is well to remember that there is a profound connection between the prominent use of birth control in a nation and the legalization of abortion: As Pope Paul VI foresaw in his encyclical letter Humanae Vitae, contraception will always lead to abortion (if not for each individual, at least for the society as a whole).

However, there are many good and faithful Catholics in the Church who question the relation between contraception and natural family planning. Does NFP have a “contraceptive mentality”? And, even if NFP can be used well, is it possible (or even likely) that many people in fact use NFP with a contraceptive mentality? What are the circumstances in which a couple may licitly use natural family planning?

There is nothing contraceptive about natural family planning

We must first understand what the word “contraceptive” means. “Any action which either before, at the moment of, or after marital intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation, whether as an end or as a means” is contraceptive (Humanae Vitae 14). Contraceptive means just that: against conception. Now, to be very clear, there is nothing in any way contraceptive about natural family planning. Neither before, nor during, nor after sexual intercourse has a couple practicing NFP done nothing at all to prevent procreation or to render the act infertile. The sexual act may in fact be infertile (i.e. it may not be possible for the woman to conceive at that time), but the couple has not done anything to make the act infertile.

The Church has been very clear on this point, and I would recommend re-reading n.16 ofHumanae Vitae for further clarification. “Neither the Church nor her doctrine is inconsistent when she considers it lawful for married people to take advantage of the infertile period but condemns as always unlawful the use of means which directly prevent conception […]. In reality, these two cases are completely different.” (HV 16)

Natural family planning and contraception are completely different.

Contraceptive mentality?

Some, generally well-meaning, persons in the Church have begun to question whether NFP might often (or at least occasionally) have a “contraceptive mentality” to it. While these individuals will grant that NFP is not per se contraceptive, they will claim that the intention of the couple may at times be no different (or not significantly different) from that of the contracepting couple.

We must insist on this point: There is nothing at all contraceptive about natural family planning, contraception and NFP are completely different.

Some will hold that NFP, though not contraceptive, has the danger of being used with the same intention as contraception – this is philosophically unintelligible. The “end”, “goal”, or “intention” of contraception (speaking in terms of moral theory) is to render a particular sexual act infertile. The “mentality” of contraception is preventing procreation, i.e. making a procreative act to no longer be procreative.

Thinking about contraception and NFP in this way, it is quite clear that there is no possible way in which natural family planning could have a contraceptive mentality. There is nothing contraceptive about NFP, therefore it cannot have a contraceptive mentality. While it is theoretically possible that NFP could be used in a bad way (and even in a sinful way), it cannot possibly be used in a contraceptive way.

We may speak of the dangers of a “selfish” mentality, or even of a “sinful” mentality, but we simply cannot speak of a “contraceptive” mentality when it comes to natural family planning. Words are important, they communicate either truth or falsehood – it is false and harmful to claim that NFP is in danger of having a contraceptive mentality.

The “just causes” for using NFP

It is not uncommon to hear some question what are the circumstances in which natural family planning can be used licitly. Some (even some priests) will say that natural family planning can be used to limit or space out child-birth only in the most extreme circumstances. We get the impression that, if the mother’s life is not in danger or if the family is not utterly destitute, NFP should not be employed as a means of limiting child-birth. This is not the teaching of the Church.

Very simply, the Church does not say that a couple must have “grave reasons” or be in “extreme circumstances” in order to make use of NFP. Rather, the Church speaks of “justae causae” – even someone who knows no Latin should be able to read, “just causes”. Natural family planning cannot be used indiscriminately, but neither does the Church require families to have the absolute maximum number of children (at least, she has never said indicated that this would be desirable).

For a couple to licitly make use of natural family planning, they must have a “just reason” – not a “grave reason”, not an “extreme circumstance”, not a “life-or-death situation”; a “just reason”. The very nature of natural family planning keeps the couple open to the Lord’s gift of new life and, if they remain united in prayer, I am confident that they will be able to make a proper discernment of when to attempt to have another child.

The Catholic critics of NFP

Finally, I must note that there is something very suspicious about many of the conservative Catholic critics of natural family planning. They will often misuse language in a manner which obscures what the Church really teaches about NFP and contraception.

Whether we consider the philosophically unintelligible language of “NFP with a contraceptive mentality” or the mistranslation of “justae causae” as “only in the most extreme circumstances” – these individuals are tying up heavy burdens hard to bear, they are binding people’s consciences in matters where there is room for freedom of opinion.

The Encyclical Humanae Vitae (especially in nn. 10 and 16) speaks of “serious reasons”, “just causes”, “worthy and weighty justifications”, “defensible reasons”, and “just reasons” for spacing children or avoiding pregnancy through the use of natural family planning. What exactly qualifies as a serious, just, worthy, and defensible reason for spacing children is certainly the point of debate – and there is no easy one-size-fits-all answer!

Still, it is clear that the Church has never taught that NFP should only be used in the most extreme circumstances or in life-or-death situations. Further, it should now be clear that a couple who uses (or even misuses) natural family planning will never be in danger of a falling into a contraceptive mentality.

For further reading, consider this article from Janet Smith

[This blog post republished here with permission from the author. Original post on his blog here.]

Doctor Doctor, Give Me the News

Kristin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:23:22 +0000

(….I’ve got a bad case of not finding an NFP-friendly or good fertility specialist. That’s what Robert Palmer would sing if he loved NFP.)

One of the most common issues NFP users face is finding a doctor who “gets it”. In fact most women don’t even expect that. When it comes down to it we really just desire a doctor who will respect our decision to use NFP when postponing a pregnancy rather than whatever pill, patch, or barrier samples were left behind by the last pharmaceutical rep to enter the building. This is no tall order. This should be easy but often is not.

If you are struggling to find an NFP friendly doctor don’t lose hope! Try the following and with any luck you will find some great options in your area! Generally speaking as you are going down the list, the fewer steps it takes you to find a doctor, the more likely they will be not only NFP friendly, but possibly even trained in a specialty such as NaProTechnology.

Creighton Fertility Care: Check out the FertilityCare web site and use the left hand index to “Find a Medical Consultant” (If looking specifically for a NaPro Doctor please e-mail fcco[at]popepaulvi.com for the most up-to-date information on your area.)
One More Soul’s NFP Directory: Run a search for your area(Helpful, but not always 100% up to date. No luck? See #3)
Network:

Contact the closest NFP Diocesan Coordinator to your area.
Seek out and call your local NFP instructors! More than likely they go to the doctor from time to time so see who they use!
Consider calling a few of the local Midwives or La Leche League if you have any in your area. Though not all are supportive of NFP, many are, and might know of a doctor in your area who is as well!

Social Network: You never know who people know, so post to the Living the Sacrament Forum, the Facebook NFP Group (CLOSED group is probably your best option), or your NFP tweeps.

Natural Family Planning

NFP Events

Janet Smith Debates Christine Gudorf

Thursday January 26th at 7:00 pm
Cristol Chemistry 140, UC-Boulder Campus

Fertility News Round Up

News/ Studies

Editorial & Commentary

Reflections

NaPro Surgeon Signs with Richmond Hospital

FertilityCare–a natural approach

Maternity of Anna

Wyoming Events: Women’s Health Lectures

Maintaining Cardiovascular Health in Menopause: Proven Strategies/ December 7, 2011, 7-8pm

Thyroid and Other Hormone Dysfunction: Sorting through Fact and Fiction/ December 14, 2011, 7-8pm

John Mulaney on Femininity

Fertility News Round Up

News

Commentary/ Editorial

Of Interest

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Humanum: New Journal on Family, Culture, Science

NFP & the “Contraceptive Mentality”

Doctor Doctor, Give Me the News

Natural Family Planning

NFP Events

Janet Smith Debates Christine Gudorf

Thursday January 26th at 7:00 pm Cristol Chemistry 140, UC-Boulder Campus

Fertility News Round Up

News/ Studies

Editorial & Commentary

Reflections

NaPro Surgeon Signs with Richmond Hospital

FertilityCare–a natural approach

Maternity of Anna

Wyoming Events: Women’s Health Lectures

Maintaining Cardiovascular Health in Menopause: Proven Strategies/ December 7, 2011, 7-8pm

Thyroid and Other Hormone Dysfunction: Sorting through Fact and Fiction/ December 14, 2011, 7-8pm

John Mulaney on Femininity

Fertility News Round Up

News

Commentary/ Editorial

Of Interest

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Humanum: New Journal on Family, Culture, Science

NFP & the “Contraceptive Mentality”

Doctor Doctor, Give Me the News

Thursday January 26th at 7:00 pm
Cristol Chemistry 140, UC-Boulder Campus