- Fertility Awareness and Natural Family Planning (NFP)
  
  The logic of the total gift of self to the other involves a potential openness to procreation: in this way the marriage is called to even greater fulfillment as a family. Certainly the mutual gift of husband and wife does not have the begetting of children as its only end, but is in itself a mutual communion of love and of life.
  - St. John Paul II, Letter to Families, 12
  
  Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term that encompasses different methods to achieve or avoid pregnancy. These methods are based on the symptoms that signal the different phases in a woman's cycle of fertility.
  
  This page contains resources for couples who wish to learn more about NFP.
  
  For couples seeking instruction in NFP methods, please see our Regional NFP Teachers page.
- Natural Family Planning (NFP) Respects the Body
  
  Natural family planning (NFP) methods which track a woman's signs of fertility in order to help a married couple better understand fertility. These methods enable couples to plan intercourse in order to achieve or avoid pregnancy. The beneifts of NFP include the following:
  
  Natural; uses no drugs chemicals or devices
  
  97-99% effective when used correctly
  
  Increases knowledge of and respect for fertility
  
  Fosters communication between spouses
- Overview of NFP methods
  
  There are many NFP resources and methods out there. Here in the Archdiocese of Seattle, we have teachers for three of the most popular methods: the Sympto-Thermal method (STM), Creighton Model Fertility Care System and Billings Ovulation Method. Look to our NFP teachers list to find a teachers' near you! Many teach by distance using video conferencing or phone. Please contact our office if you would like further assistance locating a teacher.
  
  The following chart from Facts About Fertility illustrates the different NFP methods based on the symptoms that are being observed.
  
  *Methods taught in accordance with evidence based guidelines