International Cesarean Awareness Network

Trust Your Body! Trust Your Baby!

In the name of technological progress, hundreds of thousands of women have been coerced into relinquishing a most cherished right—the right to give birth in a gentle, supportive environment free of medical interventions, and instead welcome their children to the world through major abdominal surgery. The physical, psychological,and cultural implications of cesarean sections are thoroughly examined. Through insightful education and an understanding that can only come from experience, Henkart shows how every woman possesses the ability to overcome the fear and uncertainty commonly associated with birthing to be able to give birth without the intervention of major surgery.

Birthing the Easy Way. . . by Someone Who Learned the Hard Way

Told by a REAL professional- not a doctor, not a midwife, but a mother herself. Besides a few typographical and grammatical errors, this book is an easy read in which the author talks about her journeys in birth and parenting. Many women who have read the book admit to frequently laughing out loud, crying, and nodding in agreement as the author tells it like it is.

Don't Cut Me Again! True Stories About Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

This compilation of true stories of VBAC as told by the mothers themselves show the challenges often faced by mothers having to fight for their right to give birth vaginally. This book can be useful in preparing for the conflicts that VBAC moms often face, and many women who have read this book claim that they learned a lot about the importance of finding truly supportive care providers, positive support, and being critical in choosing their place of birth for their VBACs.

Natural Childbirth After Cesarean: A Practical Guide

Although the author’s opinion is that home birth is only chosen by ‘extremists*,’ this book still has great natural birth after cesarean information with emphasis on knowing your reasons behind wanting a VBAC being crucial in your success and staying motivated. *This view is not that of ICAN. ICAN believes that it is an individual woman’s right and responsibility to make an informed decision on which birthing environment is best and safest for her and her baby. Please refer to the White Paper on Choosing Your Birthplace.

What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section

This informational booklet gives important facts and research references about cesarean section surgery.

Cesarean Voices

Cesarean mothers tell their stories and feelings of loss, pain, anger, sadness and more in their very own words. A very emotional read, this compilation shows that a cesarean section surgery is not just another way to have a baby, and that how the mother feels about her experience does matter.

Birth After Cesarean: The Medical Facts

Although this book is out-dated, this question-and-answer format book still speaks true to the fact that vaginal birth after cesarean is a safe option that women have the right to choose for themselves.

Open Season

From the co-author of Silent Knife, this book revisits cesarean prevention, planning for VBAC, and setting yourself up for the birth you want.

The VBAC Companion

Written at a time when there was ample positive support for VBAC, this mid-90s book is a clearly written and thorough guide that leads women through the process of planning for a VBAC step-by-step.

Silent Knife

Often referred to as ‘the bible of cesarean prevention,’ Silent Knife discusses both the technical and emotional aspects of a cesarean and of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Written in a style that leaves you feeling as if you’re having a conversation with the author, readers often find within the pages a safe place to process their birth experiences, and learn how to plan a birth experience with a high likelihood of satisfaction and a low likelihood of needing surgical intervention.