Natural Family Planning (NFP)
NFP classes are coming soon! A virtual class is being prepared and will be available within 3-4 weeks. Below you will find websites with information on different NFP methods. The Couple to Couple League has information on the symptothermal method, and the Naprotechnology website has information on the Creighton method. For more information on the classes or interest in being a teaching couple, contact us at the Nurturing Center.
Naprotechnology:
This link leads to a great website that explains the Creighton method for Natural Family Planning. Using this method, a woman would check her cervical mucus daily to monitor any changes and thus determine when she is ovulating.
Couple to Couple League:
This website shows couples how to use the symptothermal method of Natural Family Planning. Using this method, a woman takes her temperature every morning with a digital thermometer to measure slight changes in basal body temperature, which indicates ovulation. In addition to monitoring temperature changes, a woman will check her cervical mucus and her cervix position. All this is placed on a chart for a more accurate picture in determining ovulation.
NFP International:
We have an online NFP manual that can be downloaded and we have a Home Study Course. We believe it is the best site for natural family teaching and support for Catholic teaching.
Sheila K. Kippley
NFP International
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood
Chastity Education
True Love Waits
Chastity: A virtue (good habit) of sexual self control, Purity of the mind, heart, and body. Chastity is not just abstinence: it is much more positive and beautiful. Chastity protects, respects, waits. The Education for Chastity program focuses on the dignity of the human person in his/her body, and the holiness to which we are called by God. It features education in the forgotten virtues of Chastity,True Love Modesty, and Holiness.
This program is directed toward showing teens (Jr. and Sr. high school students) the beauty and freedom that comes with a life dedicated to God and to living the virtue of Chastity.
The Nurturing Center also offers a Chastity Program for Parents. Also, CCE Teachers, Youth Directors, Family Life and Social Services Directors can gain insight into teaching chastity to teens (with parental permission).
Free Download: "Education for Chastity" Brochure
For more information, Contact :
Phone: 806-780-6853
Email: nurturelife@nts-online.net
Stages of Development
In the hidden world of life before birth, the most amazing development humankind has ever imagined takes place. It used to be that life before birth was a secret; it is certainly not a secret anymore. Thanks to new technology that enables us to peek into the womb as never before, we are now able to witness the miracle of life in incredible detail.
Fetal Milestones:
Fertilization:
A new human being begin the first day of his life when his father's sperm and his mother's egg combine. At that moment a new human person who carries with him as much information as 50 sets of the Encyclopedia Britannica, is formed. This genetic information DNA--will determine all of this little person's physical characteristics and much of his intelligence and personality.
Day 2:
Our little friend is now three cells big. His cells will continue to divide as he starts down his mother's Fallopian tube towards her uterus (womb), where he will get the food and shelter he needs to grow and develop.
Day 6-7:
Implantation into his mother's uterus begins, and all the while, he continues to grow. As his cells multiply they differentiate to perform specific functions--circulatory, muscular, neural and skeletal.
Day 14:
Implantation is completed around this time and his mother misses her first menstrual period.
Day 20:
His heart, brain, spinal column and nervous system are almost complete and his eyes begin to form.
Day 22:
His heart begins to beat.
Day 28:
This little boy is now approximately 1/4 inch long--10,000 times larger than he was only three weeks ago. The blood flowing in his veins is completely separate from his mother's.
Week 4:
His muscles are developing and arm and leg buds are visible. His large distinct head is clearly identifiable, along with the major outlines of brain and eye vesicles, the beginning of his central nervous system, notochord, mouth, and pharynx, body cavity, the basis of his skeleton.
Week 5:
Our small friend's face is taking shape his forehead, eyes, nostrils and mouth are evident, external ears are beginning; hand and foot plates appear in his limb buds.
Week 6:
The brainwaves of this little boy can be recorded. His different muscles begin working together.
Week 8:
His fingers and toes are fairly well defined, and fingerprints, a unique and defining features of every human being, are permanently engraved on his skin; all of his organs are present,complete, and functioning (except his lungs). Fifty percent of the abortions performed in America take place between now and Week 9.
Weeks 9-10:
All area of his body are sensitive to touch. He sucks his thumbs, swallows, squints, frowns and puckers his brow. If his palm is stroked he will make a tight fist.
Weeks 11-12:
He now has fingernails, toenails and working taste buds. he can also make all facial expressions, including a smile.
Week 13:
Although this baby was already a boy at fertilization, his sex is now identifiable.
Month 4:
This little boy's heart is pumping six gallons of blood every day, and his mom can now feel him jumping around and turning somersaults, exercising the muscles and lungs he will need to live outside his mother's womb. Rapid eye movement (REM) can be recorded, indicating that he is dreaming.
Months 5-6:
He now weighs about one pound and is a foot long. If he were born now he would have a 50% chance of surviving with the help of dedicated doctors and nurses.
Months 7-8:
He can open and close his eyes and recognizes his mom's voice. His weight continues to increase and "baby fat" fills out and smoothes his skin. If he were born now his chance of surviving increases to 90%.
Month 9:
When he is ready to be born he will release hormones to trigger labor. He may weigh between 7 and 9 pounds, and can be between 18 and 21 inches long.
