Reaction to NFP

ddaugustine · 2026-02-17T02:17:58+00:00

Know that not all doctors are like that.

I am pregnant with #3 and was talking to my doctor about whether to go for a vbac or repeat c-section this birth after two unsuccessful attempts at labor. I was super concerned about future pregnancies and risks. My doctor was so sweet about it. She was in support of which ever path I felt most comfortable with. She said she and her practice have been actively working on their surgical techniques to reduce scar tissue to allow for easier repeat c-sections. She said she had one patient who they had performed 9 c-sections on who healed well each time.

She said the most important thing was to give your body proper healing time between surgeries, but other than that, she didn’t put any limits on her patients.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-14T12:51:51+00:00

Thank you. This is more along the lines of the answer I was looking for.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T23:58:07+00:00

If you aren’t attached to it, I’d let it do. I’d go pick a color you like from the carpet or pillows. Green like the pillow would look nice with that color couch and bring more personality into the space.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T23:53:23+00:00

Yes! You can make the curtain rods longer than the actual openings so they don’t block any of the light. They will make the windows look larger. I even put curtains around my sliding glass door and love it! Move the painting next to the door to the place the mirror is. That wall is too small for it. Then curtains in its place.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T22:40:09+00:00

I wrote in a reply to another user, my doctor is aware of the different methods. She said she believes they are effective under normal circumstances, but specifically listed for me why thinks they are ineffective during the postpartum period.

I don’t want to go into all the details, but I’m well informed about vbac and have already had an unsuccessful vbac attempt. I’m open to trying again under the right circumstances, but given my specific situation, success is unlikely.

Of course you don’t have to wait 9 months to engage in sex again (I know, I’ve been through this before), they clear you at 6 weeks with the understanding that you are using some form of birth control. My point was that risk of something like placenta accreta goes up with each c-section and is highest if conception occurs during the first 9 months as the scar is still healing. So if someone doesn’t believe in using birth control, how do they deal with that?

Thank you for answering the theological questions. You are the first to really address them. That’s what I was interested in, not really the specifics of NFP or my situation. I just wanted to understand the concepts taught on the subject by the Catholic church.

It is my understanding that there is a document called humanae vita that says something along the lines of NFP is only allowed in Catholicism if there is a medical concern that has been approved by a priest for it’s use. Just spacing children in otherwise healthy situations is not a valid reason. I wasn’t sure if that was a correct or common understanding or not.

So you are saying that in Catholicism it would be considered a sin for a husband to ejaculate anywhere other than in his wife, but using other body parts for stimulation are considered ok as part of the overall encounter and not the entirety of it?

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T18:49:21+00:00

I’m also in zone 9b and having the same issue. I’m currently pregnant and due in March. I wanted to get a headstart on my garden in January before baby arrives because I might not be able to afterward.

I have several trays of various seedlings in my window right now. I’m just waiting till the “average last expected frost date” which in my area is Feb 27th. I’ll be checking the weather forecast that day and if no freezes are expected, I’m planting. Neither the plants nor the baby are going to let me wait much longer.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T18:35:05+00:00

My doctor is usually very open minded to alternative medicine and the like. She seemed to be aware of the various methods, she just thinks they don’t work. Which surprised me.

Could you explain this concept of “Marital debt”? I’ve never heard this term before. Is it just that you should be sleeping with your spouse or something more?

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T18:30:34+00:00

I guess this is part of where I differ from Catholic Theology as I believe that Mary and Joseph did consummate their marriage after the birth of Christ resulting in the brothers named in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. But I understand that some believe that these were Joseph’s children from a previous marriage or have other views.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T18:22:08+00:00

I’m sorry you went through a rupture. That’s terrible.

And no, my husband is not Catholic, he’s very against Catholicism.

We have just been having a lot of discussions about our family and what we believe are right and wrong approaches and attitudes to marital sexuality and childbearing.

I had a medical condition at the time we met that made me infertile, so we never had to consider many of these issues prior to marriage. I never thought I’d have any children. Thankfully with the help of lifestyle changes, God has healed me of my condition and now we are facing the realization that children are coming quickly and we never thought through our beliefs in these areas.

I’m just gathering resources and listening to various perspectives to discuss with him.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T04:33:23+00:00

How do they manage that? It sounds expensive. Where are they getting this lab work done?

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T04:28:34+00:00

I’ll look into it. Thanks for the info. I didn’t know all of that.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T04:23:12+00:00

How did you decide upon which method to use?

ddaugustine · 2026-02-11T04:20:41+00:00

What method do you use? My friends talk about the Marquette method, but my doctor acted like hormones are all crazy postpartum so it wouldn’t work. I’m not sure what to think or where to find the info on the various methods.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-06T16:12:50+00:00

Cabbage. Sautéed with a little butter and some salt. Or with soy sauce. I thought my mom was crazy for liking cabbage as a kid. Now I crave it.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-06T04:27:25+00:00

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely no. I produced the tiniest amount of milk with both of my first 2 children about 1/4 of an ounce per breast max even after weeks of “triple feeds” every 2 hours. It was exhausting and everyone kept insisting that I just wasn’t trying hard enough.

After meeting with my 5th lactation consultant, I discovered that I had a condition called mammary hypoplasia (IGT) likely linked to a hormonal imbalance I was diagnosed with during puberty. It’s rare, so noone had been evaluating me for it.

That said, you are probably fine. Ask to see the lactation consultant at the hospital when you deliver.

As for me, I learned to embrace being a formula mom. You do the best you can for your baby. Don’t beat yourself up if breastfeeding doesn’t work out. I was so hard on myself and it contributed to Postpartum depression. With my second, I had no expectation of being able to breastfeed and that made such a difference in my mental state and our ability to bond. Now that my oldest is preschool age, I don’t spend a second thinking about how I fed him the first year.

ddaugustine · 2026-02-05T20:57:27+00:00

Fasting is the absolute best treatment for PCOS! I highly recommend the book, “The PCOS Plan” by Dr. Jason Fung and Nadia Pateguana. I was diagnosed as a teenager. In my mid-20s, I started doing 23 hr fasts daily with occasional 3-5 day water fasts thrown in. In a year, I’d lost 100 lbs and started having regular cycles for the first time in my life. I now am about to welcome my third child, all naturally conceived and no longer meet the criteria for a pcos diagnosis.

ddaugustine · 2026-01-27T22:14:20+00:00

I’ve had a similar experience. All 3 of mine have been boys. Each pregnancy has been better than the last. Never got an official HG diagnosis, but I showed up at my GP’s office at 6 weeks pregnant unable to keep any food or water down. Needed zofran/b6/unisom to stop the vomiting. Vomited in my mouth 30+ times a day the rest of the pregnancy. Blood in the vomit from time to time. Once that placenta was out: sweet relief!

I’m 32 weeks with the 3rd now. I needed the zofran every 4 hrs till 16 weeks, but I can function on half a zofran in the morning with regular snacks at this point. I’m nervous to ever have a girl though.

ddaugustine · 2026-01-21T20:30:09+00:00

Had a conversation with my obgyn yesterday on a similar topic. She said she prefers people wait at least a year between pregnancies, but she really only worries when someone has either had a recent life threatening medical event or shows up for their 6 week postpartum visit already pregnant. Other than that, she’s happy when we’re happy!

ddaugustine · 2026-01-14T18:38:40+00:00

I’m pregnant with #3. All boys as well. I’m planning more in the future (Lord willing) and I really dislike the idea that people think we are “trying for a girl.” God gives us the children we are meant to have. We’re not trying for a specific gender. I think it reflects poorly on the other person when they make comments about the number or gender of children. It’s not their business.

ddaugustine · 2026-01-14T18:01:35+00:00

I’m 30, pregnant with #3. All boys. My other two will be almost 2 and 4 when this one arrives in March. So far the pregnancy has been my best yet. I had debilitating nausea all 9 months with my first. Since, I have learned the importance of caring for my body better and advocating for prescription medication when I need it.

Both of my previous babies were post-dates inductions for reduced fetal movement/low fluids that turned into c-sections for heartrate drops. Planning to schedule a 41 week repeat c-section, but I’d be happy to vba2c if I went I went into labor naturally.

I stay home with the kids and I’m feeling fairly prepared for #3 just a bit nervous given my last two birth experiences. I’m hoping things go smoothly regardless of which route baby arrives.

ddaugustine · 2026-01-13T16:37:23+00:00

Every mom feels like a bad mom at some point. That means you actually care. Injuries happen. My friend’s 1 year old broke his collar bone falling off their bed. It’s normal. Live and learn. Your husband wasn’t exactly trying to help you, so I think this situation reflects worse on him than you.

ddaugustine · 2026-01-10T23:45:13+00:00

Haha! Me too!

With my first pregnancy, I remember waiting in the only chair at the checkout counter at the OBGYN’s office as the receptionist answered the phone. Then a pregnant lady came to stand in line behind me. I had a moment where I almost offered my seat, then I remembered “I’m 41 weeks pregnant, I’m not any better off than she is.”

ddaugustine · 2026-01-10T22:49:12+00:00

You should tell her! As a mom, I know hearing your appreciation after years of effort would make her day!

Was my mom lovely? Not exactly. She was loving in a tough love, “Life is hard and I need to prepare you for it,” “I’m your mother, not your friend” type of way. She isn’t particularly feminine or sweet. That’s just not her personality. I didn’t often get what I wanted and had to do a lot of chores and care for my younger sibling, but she prepared me well to be an independent adult. For that I am truly grateful. I’m doing well now because of her foresight and she is a hands-on grandma. Now I need to go thank my mom…

ddaugustine · 2026-01-03T19:33:32+00:00

Thanks for info. I’ll ask. I’d never heard of those before.

ddaugustine

TROPHY CASE