Goal-Setting for NFP
It’s hard to get through December and January without hearing messages about New Year’s Resolutions. When we consider resolutions and goals, it’s important to have realistic expectations. That got me to thinking—part of my role as an NFP instructor is helping my clients set realistic expectations about charting.
As an instructor, it doesn’t bother me if you:
Forget to take your temperature
Decide a different method may be better for you
Don’t chart all observable biomarkers
Are hesitant to use NFP for family planning purposes
If you are willing to take the time to learn, I am more than willing to offer any support that I can. It’s my job to encourage good charting habits. However, I do not expect perfection. (Heck, even my personal charts have question marks on them from time to time). When you are first learning to chart, I typically recommend that you focus on observing 1-2 biomarkers. Once you feel confident observing two biomarkers (e.g. temperature and tissue check), then you can shift your focus to learning additional biomarkers (sensation and/or cervix). It is recommended that you observe temperature plus two mucus signs. The most important thing about consistency is making sure you have the charting data—paired with understanding and knowledge of how to apply rules—to make decisions according to your family planning intention.
If you want to improve your charting habits (or learn more about NFP), here are some great options for goals. I would focus on one goal for at least one cycle.
Have no more than 20% of temperatures each cycle be missing or disturbed
Submit my charts monthly to my instructor for review / schedule a follow-up with my instructor for any confusing situations
Talk to my partner at least weekly about charting
Set reminders throughout the day to check sensation
Do the tissue test before and after every time I go to the bathroom
Clean my thermometer weekly (if you are using it vaginally or rectally, it should be cleaned daily)
If trying to avoid pregnancy, plan a date with my partner during the potentially fertile time—promote intimacy even when needing to abstain
Read an article or book about women’s health (I have some great recommendations!)
Track a new symptom to monitor your health (doesn’t necessarily need to be related to fertility. Can be headaches, illness, PMS, stress, nutrition, exercise, supplements, libido, etc.)
As cliche as it sounds, NFP is truly a journey. Many women find motivation to have good charting habits because the data can tell them so much about their health and fertility. As different seasons in life come and go, charting practices may change, and that’s OK. As an instructor, I am here to support you through it all.