[freemama]

Let this middle aged Lutheran woman give you some advice.

God gave man sex for two reasons: joining of husband and wife into one flesh and procreation. To abstain from sex for fear of a baby before you are ready is ignoring the first reason God gave us this gift. My husband and I find ourselves growing apart in spirit if we are not intimate more often than NFP would allow us to be.

Please have the contraception discussion well before your marriage. You must express your opinion to your future wife! Listen closely to her ideas too. This is not something to be worked out after you are married.

A comment on oral contraceptives: I have used them (long ago - before I was better educated on what they do). Insist that your finace not use these. They can cause hormonal imbalance to her that she may not see the fruits of for years in addition to the abortive effects on the children.

Best wishes on your marriage. Make as many of these decisions before you get married as you can!

[Polycarp IV]

My husband and I find ourselves growing apart in spirit if we are not intimate more often than NFP would allow us to be.

Most modern Christian couples have a long engagement. If they can remain chaste prior to marriage for one, two, or three years why not for 7 days during the cycle?

My wife and I taught NFP for 11 years. "More often than NFP would allow us to be" is usually not the case. If one desires to please God and avoid mortal sin, God will provide the grace necessary to do His Will.