“NFP-only”: Why Not?
At least weekly, I get the question, "Are you NFP-only?" It seems that this oddly-constructed question is a password; a secret saying that provides others with your pedigree or credentials." For we in the club of OB/GYNs who want to integrate our faith into our profession, this phrase “NFP-only” is a phrase of passage, an entrance into the college of doctors that can be trusted because they “really” practice and live their faith.
The phrase "NFP-only" is not accurate and not good public relations." It needs to be left behind. I want to explain this position and add to the conversation about the paradox that surrounds the faithful physician that tries to practice obstetrics and gynecology in the 21st century.
We who understand fertility awareness recognize the scientific advancements of the 1920s that led to the functional understanding of ovulation signs. The work of Drs. John and Evelyn Billings (identifying fertility through cervical mucus) and of Dr. Joseph Roetzer (identifying the temperature sign of progesterone in the 1970s) brought us light years from where the rhythm method had us. Dr. Hanna Klaus helped us place fertility awareness in the realm of teachable physiology. Then came the work of Dr. Thomas Hilgers with Fertility Care and Naprotechnology in the 1980s, adding to John Paul II's insight of the Theology of the Body. Thus a fertility awareness system began taking shape—a system that cooperates with the mysteries of the body, seeks and treats diseases rather than desires, and provides solid scientific evidence to the observations we were making in our bodies. This work was done against the backdrop of the dissent from Vatican II and Humanae Vitae, and the reality that only 2% of American Catholic couples use NFP as their form of child spacing, and 0.1% of OB/GYNs in America are "NFP-only."
Those of us today who understand and utilize NFP stand on the shoulders of those who sacrificed and went before us. To honor these giants of the NFP field, we must move the knowledge of our fertility and that of the human person to the next level. “NFP-only” will not do that. Why not?
To begin, "NFP-only" is not accurate. As an OB/GYN we do so much more than NFP: pelvic surgery, hormone analysis, delivering babies, providing pre-conceptual education, etc. If we want to be holistic providers with an integrated approach why should we use the phrase "NFP-only"? "Only" means exclusive, limiting, and narrowly focused. Rather than limiting our scope of expertise, I believe we truly practice excellent medicine. We listen to patients. We encourage conversation that leads to understanding. We focus on diseases rather than desires. We see the person as an integrated body, soul and spirit whole. We have a realistic approach to suffering and illness. Our patients are healthier because of this excellent care and compassion.
Secondly, "NFP-only" is poor PR. We believe that Natural Family Planning is good medicine, and should be available and utilized for optimal health by all people because it is based in physiology and an understanding of the human person. In reality, we live in a world where the vast majority of people live the contraceptive lifestyle; the vast majority of doctors encourage the contraceptive lifestyle; and the community, individually and collectively, bear the fruit of the contraceptive tree. The "NFP-only" label only alienates these many friends, neighbors, and future patients. Our job is to professionally, competently, and evangelically bring NFP to a larger audience and this phrase does not do that. For us to be an excellent medical practice and to influence others, we as providers must model the true blessings and benefits of NFP in our practice. NFP is technically taught but vicariously lived. To bring the people into the office so they can see us model this integrated reality of our fertility and physiology, they must be encouraged to come to us for other reasons and that other reason is that we practice excellent medicine. Patients then tell their friends, and by word of mouth these truths spread. This is the only way to get around the fact that most people are not aware of their fertility as we are. To test this hypothesis, ask yourself: are our schedules filled with patients? Are we making a good living as NFP providers? Are we vital to our communities' health? Are we satisfied with the impact we are making in our profession, with our patients and in our communities? If not, why not?
Excellent medicine includes NFP, but is more than NFP. Therefore, "NFP-only" is not true from a medical perspective nor from a business perspective." It must be abandoned if you want to make a difference in your work and in your community.
We are "signs of contradiction". That is the paradox. We must use the language of the culture to perform works of mercy, two of which are healing the sick and educating the ignorant. We must also find a business model that is workable so we can attract the best and brightest from a spiritual and business perspective. "Only" limits our abilities and skills. "Only" is not attractive. It may seem accurate and proper, but it is at the same time stifling and exclusive.
We have been given a great mission: to stand on the backs of our heroes and heroines and develop a system that takes what they have taught us and implements their groundbreaking, sacrificial work in a way that last unto the ages. From an act of mercy point of view, in the field of medicine, we must understand that it was Divine Mercy that birthed fertility awareness in the 1920s. It provided the courage and drive to the giants of our past. It still is Divine Mercy that will help us build a system of implementation of NFP that will be present when the post traumatic fall out arrives from the contraceptive mindset in the next twenty years. The transformation starts today.
John T. Bruchalski, MD, FACOG
Founder, Tepeyac Family Center
Chairman and President, Divine Mercy Care
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Fairfax, VA 22030
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