Natural Family Planning ("NFP") consists of natural methods that can be used to avoid conceiving a child or to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

The World Health Organization defines natural family planning methods to be those which satisfy these three criteria:

1. The method involves sexual abstinence during the woman's fertile time in order to avoid pregnancy
2. The method involves making daily observation and recording of the woman's fertility signs
3. These methods do not use devices, gadgets, or pills -- (WHO, 1989)

The two most reliable of these methods are both modern and scientific. They are:

• The Sympto-Thermal method (also known as the Double-Check method)
• The Ovulation method (also known as the Mucus or Billings method with a variation called the Creighton Model)

NFP works in harmony with, and respects the woman's natural reproductive cycle. Understanding, co-operation, and communication between the couple are required for these methods to be effective.

The Sympto-Thermal method as taught by Serena can be used reliably to achieve or avoid pregnancy. A husband and wife decide together when it is most appropriate or if it is inappropriate at a given time to conceive a child.

Modern methods of NFP such as the Sympto-Thermal Method have been scientifically-tested with peer-reviewed published studies to be very effective when used to space or limit pregnancies, provided they are used correctly.

In the case of couples having difficulty conceiving, using the Sympto-Thermal method in close consultation with an accredited Serena teacher-couple often results in successful conception of a child. In other cases, using the STM may help give insight into certain medical issues which may be affecting fertility. Since there is nothing artificial used in following the Sympto-Thermal method, there are no associated health risks.

Using the Sympto-Thermal method helps a couple to understand and work with their combined fertility to achieve their goals without giving up any sense of control to a device or chemical. The couple is unified and empowered.

Learning Natural Family Planning can help a woman understand her body and its signals. It can help her gain a more positive self-image and self-respect. NFP helps a woman celebrate being a woman.

Learning to understand his wife's body's signals gives a husband valuable insight into how best to love, cherish, and respect his wife.

Natural Family Planning as taught by Serena is a couple-method. Both parties are involved and take part in the day-to-day process. Communication is increased, and the goals of the couple are known and supported by both husband and wife. Using NFP encourages a husband and wife to be intimate friends.

The knowledge and understanding gained by the learning and use of Natural Family Planning helps couples to speak with confidence to their children about sexual development and sexuality. These children learn about their bodies in a healthy way as they grow, and parents can comfortably teach their children about appropriate sexuality.