I was reading Sew's post from this morning and it reminded me of something from my conversion story.
I took BCPs for a couple of months when I was about 19. I didn't like having to take a pill everyday, so I quit. Anyways, while we were in RCIA, I asked about birth control. I think I heard growing up, that Catholics don't use birth control. My husband and I had a talk about it, then took it to the Deacon who taught our class. Yup, that's right he said NO BIRTHCONTROL!! I was like WTF?!?!
My mother, God bless her, was one of those "fertile myrtle's" we all hate. ) She was one that would say the dreaded sentence "all he has to do is look at me, and i'm pregnant." Yup that's her! So naively, so very naively, I thought it would be the same way for me. My husband already had two kids (by "accident"). If we can't use birth control, how many kids will we have?!?! OH NO!! I was freaking out. I could have how many kids by the time I hit menopause?!?!?!?!?
The thoughts were running through my mind of how I could go to the doctor, get the pill, and not let my husband know about it. I know, I know I'm horrible! Then we learned about NFP, and in my young horny mind, I thought.....a week or more with no sex?!?! WHAT?!?!
My husband made it seem like no big deal. I don't care what he says, he was always better than me at this stuff.
Then we realized we had fertility problems. I guess God does have a sense of humor. I wish he could've come up with a better plan to teach me, than infertility. :) :)
Oh for what it's worth, I am one of four girls and my dad did have a vasectomy. I can tell you that abstaining from sex during fertile times was not even a blip on my radar until I became Catholic. It really is a beautiful thing, all of it. Too bad making a baby isn't as easy as I thought (dreaded) it would be.
I am grateful for my Catholic faith. Especially when I've seen how much I've grown. I wish I could say I put 100% trust in God and His plan for me, but that would be a lie. I have control issues. God knows this. I think that's why, everytime I think I've got it figured out, he throws a wrench in my plan, just to let me know...I'm not in control of anything. I love it!!!
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Questions...
In cycle news, I'm on CD6. I haven't gotten a Creighton instructor yet, but I'm curious about it, so answer my questions....please :)
I thought I saw on someone's blog that the best quality CM is the kind that stretches for days. I read in a sympto-thermal book that stretchy is great, rbut the really liquidy CM (almost like a water based lube) was better. What does Creighton say? And does ovulation occur on the last day of fertile CM or can it occur in the middle, depending on the type of CM?
Ok, TMI here, but I have another question. I bled for 1.5 days this cycle (it started Monday morning at around 8:00 and by 3:00 the next day..hardly nothing). Then it was spotting for another 2. Isn't that odd? What could cause that? I usually bleed for 3 days...then it comes to an abrubt halt, and starts up again the next day, but way lighter and usually just spotting.
Thanks for any advice!!!
Okay, I don't know about the spotting but I can help with the mucus question! I've been doing Creighton for about two years.
ReplyDeleteWith the Creighton model, any mucus that is clear, stretchy (stretches an inch or more) or lubricative is considered peak-type mucus. Sometimes you can have several days in a row of this type--your official "peak day" is the last day when any of these signs is present.
I'm pretty lucky (TMI warning) in that my peak type mucus is always noticeably different from the rest of the cycle, but I know some women find it hard to tell. Mucus is a little different for everybody.
I would say definitely get a Creighton instructor, they are super helpful. PPVI's website I think should have a link to where you can find one nearby!
Hope that helped!
Can't help on the Creighton (glad Hebrews did!), but the first part of what you wrote is very beautiful. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I would think that the 1.5 days of a period is a weak luteal phase (low progesterone) that was not and did not build a plush lining in your uterus. Spotting after your period means low progesterone. I could be wrong, I think spotting before your period means something different then spotting at the end of your period. Someone else might be able to clarify that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a mucus wanna be overachiever...I've had that silky mucus only a few times...Other times I've felt it has been dry but still strechy and L.
It's interesting because the amount of times that my DH have had to abstain from sex because of surgery, learning to chart, or because one was sick, or the other had surgery, or whatever the reason really has been NO BIG DEAL for us. I think one length of time went as long as 5 months when I had my surgery and mixed in with that we had just started to learn how to chart but decided to abstain because surgery was just a couple weeks away etc...Then the doctor was saying no sex for 3-4 months. :) It didn't kill us, but then who wants to have sex with your wife when she is in pain.
I think that through IF we learn to trust God because we see the MAJOR growth that we make. He teaches us who He is in the midst of this great suffering. Ahhh! I love Him for it! Truly a loving Father.
The beauty you describe truly is beauty that is not of this world. ;)
Great post! I'm so interested in your story! I love to hear about it! And I don't believe God is playing a joke on you. I think He is pulling you closer to Him because He loves you wants all of your attention. ;)
Looks like all of the CM questions have been answered!
ReplyDeleteI do have to admit that between my surgeries while I was on L.upron that I was not in the mood AT ALL. I was cranky and having hot flashes and the last thing I wanted to do was think about sex! Mr. JB was completely sympathetic since I was in physical pain and I was healing.
Thanks for answering all my CM questions. I think I've been doing it right...whoo hoo!
ReplyDeleteLow progesterone huh? Is that a 7dpo blood test? I have one of those scheduled for next month. I'm curious to see.
As for the sex...we're having a good month if we actually use fertile days. :) We don't usually have extraciricular sex. HAHAHAHA! :)
P.S. my husband just flipped me off...HAHAHAH! It's a good thing he loves me...or might just divorce me for blogging about our sex life! :)
God knows I love that man!!