Natural family planning
This article is about the alternative medical means of contraception, for a general discussion of birth control in human society - see contraception, for surgical means of contraception - see Sterilization (surgical) and for methods using medications and medical devices - see Contraception (medical methods).
Natural Family Planning is a method of periodic abstinence and sexual contact between the male and female couple who desire to plan the timing of the arrival of their offspring. It is often considered to be part of alternative or complementary medicine but has a firm basis in the health sciences. More sophisticated practices are based on the biological basis of human reproduction, and natural family planning may be aided by medical tests for ovulation and other tests and examinations derived from medicine and biological science.(Breuner CC - Adolesc Med Clin - 01-OCT-2005; 16(3): 603-16). By being able to estimate whether on not a woman is likely to be ovulating, the chances of conception can be increased or decreased depending on whether that time period is used for abstinence from, or engagement in, unprotected intercourse. Further, the fertility of men, in terms of sperm count, can also be altered within a restricted range, their behavior and, in this way, can be used to make conception more likely. In many traditional societies, family planning is part of the social and religious fabric of everyday life. For some couples in developed countries, natural family planning is a contraceptive choice that is made on moral, religious or personal grounds. In other societies, (for example, sects of extremely observent orthodox Jews), carrying out religious guidelines for the physical contact of men and women in marriage tilts sexual intercourse in the marital relationship towards an increased chance of conception.
Billings method
"There are many types of NFP, including the Billings Method (the ovulation or mucous method), named for Australian doctors Jon and Evelyn Billings. This method charts the presence and description of cervical fluid. The mucous method describes three different cervical fluids during the menstrual cycle: (1) sticky, tacky, and dry occurring after menstruation, (2) creamy, milky, and smooth, which occurs right before the most fertile period, which is (3) slippery, egg white, stretchable, clear, and yellow /pink or red tinged. Women are taught to avoid intravaginal sexual activity when the cervical mucous reflects the most fertile time." (Breuner CC - Adolesc Med Clin - 01-OCT-2005; 16(3): 603-16).
Breast feeding and lactation
The hormonal balance that occurs when a woman is actively breastfeeding is one that tends to suppress ovulation. In this way, whether by happenstance or design, breastfeeding, alone, tends to be an efficacious manner of "timing" children.