Natural Family Planning (NFP)

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the general title for the scientific, natural, and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancy.

NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstral cycle.  No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.

Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving (unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they support God's design for married love!

Read more about NFP here!

Visit this FAQ to bust these 9 myths of Natural Family Planning!

Bust the myths!

• Myth #1: NFP is based on guesswork: it's what people used before modern science developed contraception.
• Myth #2: NFP can be used only by women with regular cycles.
• Myth #3: NFP is too complicated to be used by most people.
• Myth #4: NFP is not a reliable method of family planning.
• Myth #5: There is no difference between NFP and contraception.
• Myth #6: NFP does not allow for sexual spontaneity.
• Myth #7: Couples who use NFP have sex less often than couples who use contraception.
• Myth #8: The Catholic Church wants people to have as many babies as possible.
• Myth #9: The Catholic Church does not want married couples to have sex just for pleasure.

For a deeper introduction to Catholic teaching on marraige, conjugal love, responsible parenthood, the science and methods of Natural Family Planning, and the married couple's experience in living the NFP lifestyle, you may purchase a booklet from the Natural Family Planning Program, USCCB, by calling 1-866-582-0943 or emailing [email protected].  Please reference publication numbers 9921 (English) or 9927 (Spanish).

You may also read the booklet online here.

Archdiocese of Dubuque's information and NFP course availability.

Online and in-person NFP courses around the United States. 
You may also contact either Emmaus Pastorate office for more information.
Fr. John Haugen or Deacon Paul Dolan @ St. Mark Parish Office: 563-928-7200
John Uhal @ St. Joseph Parish Center: 563-245-2548