*ANY* fam/nfp classes in the area??

[Anonymous]

I've recently read TCOYF and have trawled the web for all the information I can about FAM, however, I wanted to follow up everything I learned with a class taken with DH just to make sure we know everything we need to know.

I'm having a heck of a time finding somewhere we can take a class! I've called PP in Falls Church and they gave me the # for a fertility clinic, but when I called there they had no idea what I was talking about.

I also called Center for Reproductive Health in Georgetown...no luck there, they just offer support for people who want to teach classes...

I did call an NFP center and they referred me to the Arlington dioceses (sp) for NFP classes, but I'm worried I won't be able to take this class, because we aren't Catholic anyone have success finding a FAM class? Please let me know, TIA!

[Anonymous]

I'm currently taking an NFP class in the Arlington diocese. There was nothing about the sign-up process that would make me believe that only Catholics could take it. My DH just e-mailed the instructors for the class we were interested in. Just so you know, part of the class does deal with the religious basis for the Catholic teaching. I'd say most of the class is taking it as a pre-marriage requirement but there are some of us that are already married. You could also just get the materials if you would prefer that. Check out the Couple-to-Couple League of Northern Virginia for more information:

http://nova.ccli.org/

[Anonymous]

DO NOT waste your time taking a class through the Arlington (or Washington) dioceses. I am Catholic and as part of marriage preparation, you have a session on NFP. It was a joke. I have also read TCOYF (and used it as a resource for TTC 2 times).

Since you are posting on this forum, I assume you are TTC (?). I would recommend using the TCOYF software for logging fertility signs - and posting your questions either on this site OR if you have software questions / want to get other POV you can register on the TCOYF site and they have a community feature there as well.

[Anonymous]

15:09 here - I don't know what the PP's experience was but the class I'm taking isn't a session but 3 classes, 2+ hours each, spaced over two months. In addition to learning the basics, the classes are spaced so that you can track yourself and then meet with the teachers to go over your chart and ask questions/get feedback.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I have plans to start a family in the next year. I wanted to use this opportunity to get off the Pill early and start charting my cycles to find out more about myself and how I ovulate. Hoping that will make conceiving more relaxing and enjoyable.

TCOYF author recommends taking a class to reinforce what you learn in the book and I know I do learn better from getting info from a variety of sources- internet, book and class. Just wanted a well rounded start to this

Thank you, 15.09, for that link!

[Anonymous]

OP, I would recommend using an online service/site for charting - either Ovusoft or Fertility Friend (I use FF). It is a lot easier to have your charts & data online, provides tools for analysis, and the community forums are a really good source of information. I have charted on and off since 2002 (used it to conceive our 3rd child in 2004 and am using it for TTC again now, but I have also used it for years to avoid pregnancy). I learned most of what I know on the internet!

I was also married in a Catholic church and had to take the NFP class as part of our marriage prep, and I did not find it to be very helpful. Sounds like the set of 3 classes that another PP took was much more in-depth but mine was not really useful at all. (It was in DC, not in Arlington Diocese.)

Honestly, fertility charting is NOT hard and you will definitely learn as you go along. That's why it's nice to be in an active online charting community where you can ask questions. It is one of those things that sounds complicated until you actually start doing it, and it's really very easy once you have done it for a few cycles.

[Anonymous]

I second the Fertility Friend recommendation. I know after reading TCOYF it can seem complicated and overwhelming, but I found after using FF for a month or two it all made sense and I learned my cycles and signs. Seriously, things I'd never correlated with my cycle in 28 years, I suddenly understood. And FF has great, active forums where you can learn even more.

Good call on getting of the pill early. I did that too and I think maybe that helped us get pregnant fairly quickly when we started trying a year later.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Hanna Klaus /NFP Center of Washington does a great program in the Billings Method. $25 fee for learning, does follow up for free. She knows how to help women coming off of the pill. 301-897-9323