Fertility is a Blessing Not a Burden
Instead of women fighting against their bodies in the name of convince, we should be observing and caring for our fertility by allowing it to be a natural part of our lives.
Kelsey here again! Today, I’d like to talk about some common misconceptions that we hold when it comes to fertility, and what truths they reveal. Because my husband and I are actively avoiding pregnancy for the time being, this article will come from the stance of using Creighton accordingly. However, even couples who are choosing to achieve pregnancy might find these little reminders helpful.
To begin, fertility is not something that needs to be fought or repressed until a couple wishes to start, or grow, their family. Unfortunately that’s sometimes the way it seems. We see this in the form of hormonal birth control that aims to keep a woman from conceiving a child all month long, in addition to reducing or eliminating periods. What really makes this an issue is that there are common and sometimes extreme side effects that women often experience for the sake of these “benefits”.1 Also, keep in mind the birth control pill is a known carcinogen and may increase the risk of certain cancers by up to 50%. 2 Instead of women fighting against their bodies in the name of convenience, we should be observing and caring for our fertility. A woman’s fertility is a part of who she was created to be, and isn’t a problem, but rather something that can give her insight into her own body, her health, and a greater level of intimacy with her husband. Creighton Model embraces the idea that fertility is a gift the couple is given, they then can use it to decide each month if they are ready to be open to life, or how best to care for their fertility for the future.
Consider how most of the contraceptive options out there today give the sense that it is exclusively the woman’s job to manage her fertility. From the pill, to the ring, to IUDs, and the list goes on, our culture has taught the lesson that it is a woman’s responsibility to act upon this very integral part of the marital relationship. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth that God intended for marriage. His plan is that the couple work together in all things, including family planning. With the Creighton Model, man and wife build intimacy when they work together to track fertility, as well as when they are making decisions based on the fertility observed. A husband caring for his wife by not suggesting that she alone should be responsible for their fertility (including that she alone face the side effects) and a wife caring for her husband by inviting him into the fertility conversation, is a beautiful image of what God has planned for marriage.
Speaking from first hand experience, I recognize that Creighton does require some lifestyle adjustments and a little additional time each day. However, with that investment comes a strong marriage, a better understanding of the body you have been blessed with, and a greater appreciation for life itself.
Disclaimer: My personal experience is with the Creighton Model but this does apply to all natural methods of family planning.