FAM/charting only - does it work?

Question

Is there anyone here who is relying on charting their cycle as their only means of birth control (besides condoms on those fertile days). 
I'm getting married next week, and I'm a virgin. We want to wait a few years before having kids, but want to do it the natural way.
However, I'm staying with a couplr until the wedding, and they tried FAM and got pregnant after 3 months. :-/
Thoughts?

Answer

I have been using FAM for the last 8 month and have not gotten pregnant. If you practice the method correctly it is very reliable. It also it nice, because you really get intune with your body. So when you are ready to have a baby you know exactly when you are fertile. But it has to be practiced perfectly or you could definitely end up pregnant.

Answer

I was in the same situation as you, and am currently using only FAM/NFP--it's worked so far! I started taking my bbt about 5 months before the wedding but it didn't really make much sense until I started using the glow bbt visual chart. I think the main way FAM fails is because people know they may be fertile, but have sex anyway. It takes a lot of discipline to abstain during the fertile days. But I think my marriage is better for it, and my body is healthier without the chemicals!

Answer

I think that if you are using glow, tracking everything every day you might be more successful than the couple you are staying with.
Back in the 80s and 90s my parents tried to use that method for contraception but claim that's the reason I have an older brother and a younger sister!(and I'm special, I'm the result of my parents forgetting the diaphragm!)
If you are worried you can use barrier methods along side the FAM method, at least until you are more confident in your cycle tracking. Condoms are great and protect pretty well against pregnancy when used correctly (usually in combination with spermicide!)
I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!!!

Answer

In order to use the method you need to track for 8-12 months prior to relying on it. It's said to be 96-99% effective when practiced perfectly. You have to remember to check you BBT, CM, and cervical position every day.

Answer

Thanks for the comments, ladies! This really helps a lot. X)

FAM/charting only - does it work?

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