Last year the following NFP doctor “how to” was published by our friend Jess over at NFPworksblog. Since then I have received numerous requests on our NFP forum from young women needing further assistance finding a doctor in their area. As a result our tips have been updated! If you are searching for an NFP doctor or know someone who is we hope the following can be of use! – Kristin, Foundress of Living The Sacrament- NFP forum
One of the most common issues NFP users face is finding a doctor who “gets it”. In fact most women don’t even expect that. When it comes down to it we really just desire a doctor who will respect our decision to use NFP when postponing a pregnancy rather than whatever artificial pill, patch, or barrier samples were left behind by the last pharmaceutical rep. to enter the building. This is no tall order. This should be easy but often is not.
If you are struggling to find an NFP friendly doctor don’t lose hope! Try the following and with any luck you will find some great options in your area! Generally speaking as you are going down the list, the fewer steps it takes you to find a doctor, the more likely they will be not only NFP friendly, but possibly even trained in a specialty such as NaProTechnology.
- Creighton Fertility Care: Check out the Fertility Care Website and use the left hand index to “Find a Medical Consultant” (if looking specifically for a NaPro Doctor please e-mail fcco[at]popepaulvi.com for the most up-to-date information on your area.)
- One More Soul’s NFP Directory: Run a search for your area (Helpful, but not always 100% upt to date. No luck? See#3)
- Network:
Contact your closest Catholic NFP Diocesan Coordinator. Let them know you are looking for an NFP friendly doctor in the area.
Seek out and call your local NFP instructors! More than likely they go to the doctor from time to time so see who they use!
Search for a Pro-Life OB/GYNS (AAPLOG) . While not all physicians identified as Pro-Life are NFP friendly, many are.
Consider calling a few of the local Midwives if you have any in your area. Though not all are supportive of NFP, many are, and might know of a doctor in your area who is as well!
4. Social Network: You never know who people know, so post to the Living The Sacrament Forum, the Facebook NFP Group (CLOSED group is probably the best option), or your NFP tweeps.
We still need to be careful, though. I chose a doctor from onemoresoul who had actually testified in favor of the BAN on partial birth abortion but still thought it was fine to use artificial birth control and sent me out of his office with a sample pack of YAZ. Fortunately, he has retired.