It must be said that the Sympto-Thermal Method, despite its very high effectiveness, is quite complex and may cause many difficulties for the user. Let us therefore take a closer look at the issues that most often raise doubts.
Childbirth is undoubtedly the most important event in the life of both the expectant mother and the father. It is also a process that cannot be precisely planned or fully controlled. It is worth preparing for it in terms of knowledge, learning about the course of the individual stages of labor and being aware of the procedures performed by midwives and doctors. Knowledge reduces fear of the unknown, helps you feel more confident, and gives a sense of “being in control of the situation.” Remember that everything that happens will be aimed at ensuring the safety of both the mother and the baby being born.
So what can you expect from a physiological point of view? What actions can you expect from the midwife or doctor who will be with you? What problems may arise and how are they dealt with?
The closer you get to your due date, the more fears, questions, and doubts arise in your mind. There is a flood of information from guidebooks, TV programs, the Internet in general, advice from experienced parents… and yet you may still not feel fully convinced that, as parents, you are properly prepared for the end of this journey you are on.
So how should you really prepare for childbirth? It is best to start at the very beginning of pregnancy. Just like in business – before starting a project, a work schedule is prepared.
To feel well and function properly, we need about 320-420 mg of magnesium per day, while people exposed to stress, performing heavy physical work, undertaking prolonged mental effort, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women may need up to 500 mg per day. Meanwhile, the deficiency of this valuable element in the average European daily diet amounts to about 100 mg or more.
An unassuming little plant with yellow flowers that grows in meadows and along roadsides. From its seeds, a very valuable, yellow-green, cold-pressed oil with versatile uses is obtained. Read how easily it can help even with very troublesome ailments!
Premenopause is the period preceding the last menstrual period (menopause) in a woman’s life. Because of the gradual decline in ovarian function and the associated decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, menstrual cycles become irregular during this time. In addition, the fertility signs observed so far also change. Is it nevertheless possible to use Natural Family Planning (NFP) effectively during premenopause?
There is a period in a woman’s life that is associated with particular concerns and is often perceived by many women, to some extent, as a loss of femininity. Menopause. It is preceded by a time of major changes – above all hormonal ones (a decline in both estrogen and progesterone), and consequently also emotional and physiological changes. Once these take place, a new chapter in a woman’s life begins—and what it will be like depends largely on us. Let us therefore learn a little more to prepare for these changes.
More and more information is emerging about the harmful effects of hormonal contraception, both on women’s health and on the quality of intimate and emotional relationships between women and men. It is therefore no surprise that couples are increasingly seeking methods of regulating conception that are non-invasive, safe, natural, healthy, and modern. There are already many such methods and supportive devices available: cycle computers, cycle trackers, and various fertility monitors such as ovulation microscopes and ovulation tests. But how can one make this change? How can one get through the difficult transition from hormonal contraception to fully natural fertility? What can be expected during this time? You can read about it here.
The concept of Natural Family Planning (NFP) is often associated with the historic, yet groundbreaking, research of the Austrian Prof. Dr. Hermann Knaus and the Japanese Prof. Dr. Kyusaku Ogino, who developed a calculation-based method for determining the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Since that time, NFP methods have undergone tremendous development. In many parts of the world, numerous new discoveries have been made, observations have been standardized, many new studies have been conducted, a wealth of publications has appeared, and several centers have been established where different approaches to NFP have been developed.
What is a cycle card? How do you use it? How can you identify fertile and infertile days? How can it be used for the early diagnosis of abnormalities in the menstrual cycle?
You have probably heard that hormonal contraception regulates menstrual cycles, is the safest method of preventing pregnancy, treats various female conditions, helps get rid of acne, and even increases breast size. These are myths! Find out what the facts really are…
What should you do if, despite trying, you are having difficulty conceiving or suspect infertility?
When it comes to Natural Family Planning (NFP), I very often encounter the same recurring myths that are simply untrue, yet eagerly repeated by people who in fact know very little about fertility awareness methods (“How could you possibly learn anything from a few lines on a thermometer?”). So it is time to dispel these “legends.”
Today, many married couples struggle with reduced fertility or even infertility and experience the frustration that comes with it, often intensified by the well-intentioned concern of friends and family.
The causes of infertility are very diverse, ranging from various hormonal disorders and chronic illnesses, through anatomical abnormalities, to genetic conditions. Many of these causes can be successfully diagnosed and treated, leading to improved health and, ultimately, the long-awaited joy of a newborn child.
A properly balanced diet during pregnancy helps ensure your baby’s healthy development and optimal nourishment. It can also reduce the risk of birth defects and childhood diseases, help prevent complications such as preterm birth or miscarriage, and improve your own well-being and appearance.
What is ovulation?
Ovulation, also called egg release, is the release of a fertilizable egg cell from a mature ovarian follicle, known as the Graafian follicle. It is the culminating moment of each menstrual cycle, without which the conception of new life is impossible.
A typical menstrual period should last at least 2-3 days, during which strong uterine contractions cause the shedding of the endometrial lining. This is usually experienced as pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. Menstrual bleeding prepares the uterus for the next cycle, during which the endometrium grows again and transforms to create suitable conditions for the possible implantation of an embryo. The following 2-3 days of menstruation should be characterized only by light bleeding or spotting.
The first associations with “emergency contraception” are quite accurate – it must be something used in an “emergency,” a “last resort” to prevent pregnancy. One might assume it acts more strongly than regular hormonal contraception, perhaps even in a more disruptive way… What, then, are the mechanisms that allow such a preparation to interrupt the natural processes leading to pregnancy? What substances are used for this purpose, and what roles do they play? What risks are associated with the use of “emergency contraception”? Here is everything about postcoital contraception – what really lies behind the carefully worded phrases so widely circulated.
How can the age of pregnancy and the expected date of delivery be calculated?
What is the difference between the baby’s age and the gestational age?
Is fertility – the prospect of passing on our genes and ensuring the continuation of the species – really at the core of our subconscious choice of a life partner?
Everyone knows it, yet most people still use it 😉.
Do you remember the iconic Maytag wringer washer – a household staple used by American homemakers decades ago? Since those days, the washing‑machine market has changed dramatically. Countless modern models have appeared: machines with hand‑wash or silk settings, washer‑dryer combos, and even those that let you program start and stop times while you’re away from home.
The same has happened with Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods 😀.
Why are fertility awareness and NFP methods still known only to a few?
Some time ago, while reviewing a survey on contraceptive use among women, I came across a finding that truly surprised me. A significant proportion of the respondents who had chosen hormonal birth control also declared that they were aware of Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods and knew about their high effectiveness. So why, then, had they not chosen these natural methods? The same study provided the answer, which I will share later in this text.
If you have just decided to start trying for a baby – or if the idea is only beginning to take shape – it is important to learn how to prepare for this special stage of life.
Proper preparation helps ensure optimal conditions for maintaining a healthy pregnancy and supporting your baby’s development. It should go hand in hand with lifestyle changes (more sleep, eliminating exposure to toxins, improving unfavorable working conditions, developing healthy hygiene habits, and giving up stimulants) as well as an appropriate diet.
It is well known that a pregnant woman should take special care of her own health as well as the health of the child developing in her womb. According to medical recommendations, she should follow a balanced and nutritious diet, get sufficient rest, avoid stress and exposure to toxic substances, and take only medications that are strictly necessary. However, nearly one-third of pregnant women admit to consuming alcohol during pregnancy.
What to eat before menstruation so you don’t transform from Beauty into Beast …
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a wide range of recurring physical and emotional symptoms that typically appear 2 to 7 days before menstruation. Only in rare cases do these symptoms last longer or become particularly severe.
At the outset, it is important to clarify what is meant by irregular menstrual cycles. Today, many women describe their cycles as irregular, but this is not always accurate and certainly does not prevent the effective use of natural methods of fertility recognition.
Irregular cycles are those in which the difference in cycle length exceeds 10 days; in some cases, cycles may last 30, 40, or even 60 days. Most women, however, experience only minor variations in cycle length, typically within 2-3 days.