Is anyone using F.A.M. as BC?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2004
Is anyone using F.A.M. as BC?
5
Mon, 09-06-2004 - 12:06am
I was just curious as to how many (if any) people are using Fertility Awareness Method for birth control? I have been using it (along w/ Ovusoft software)for two months now (I am not married yet, and a virgin). I am getting married on Sept. 18th...just around the corner :) So I was wanting some feedback :) So far I am pretty impressed with the computer program. I am dedicated to taking my basal temp every morning at the same time and recording my other signs every night. It's very cool how all of the pieces comes together when you start recording all of the signs. Everything is pretty predictable now, so far I am very happy with this method.

Anyway, any kind of feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 4:28pm
I just got ovusoft this month. So far I really like it. Before that I was charting on paper, which is fine, but the program is a lot more convenient. How long have you been charting?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2004
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 8:02pm
Hello there,

I am on my second cycle. This month seems to be a little off (I think I'm kind of stressed out ie. my wedding on the 18th and I've had a cold these past few days)...so it's kind of throwing off my ovulation date :( I'm hoping that me menses will not start on my honeymoon...yikes, that would be bad, but anyway...you're probably thinking TMI! I'm just trying not to freak out, so you can just ignore me :)

How long have you been charting for?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 9:03pm
Its been over a year since I started. My doc had me doing the billings method (just charting cm) to keep track of my cycles. But this month I added temping and the software. My b/f and I are trying to abstain completely but we haven't always succeeded. We don't like to keep condoms around since that makes it more tempting on any day of the month. So at least this way we have times of the month when we definitely are not tempted and don't want to come within ten feet of eachother since we know the consequences :)

I hope you don't start on your honeymoon! If worst comes to worst I believe the first five days of your period are considered safe days with the sympto-thermal method if you had a normal ovulatory cycle the month before (double check me on that!) I know that according to the billings method you aren't allowed to have sex at all during your period.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 09-08-2004 - 9:27am
My twin sister used FAM as birth control for a good six months before conceiving her first child, and she used components of FAM for timing purposes for the second child. They have a little girl and they wanted to try for a little boy, and there's this theory that if you time sex properly around ovulation, the likelihood of having a boy is better, and that seems to have worked.

My feeling, knowing what I know, is that if you observe FAM absolutely correctly, observing fertile days religiously, it's got to work. We know, no matter what our doctors try to tell us, that it works, but you HAVE to be diligent about those fertile days.

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2004
Wed, 09-08-2004 - 12:11pm
That's awesome how you and your boyfriend are trying to abstain. It's been pretty tempting for me and my fiance but I know it'll be worth it when we get married :)

My cycles have been normal, so I believe that the first five days are safe.