ICAN is excited to announce Rebekah Wishart as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Loveland!
Archives for 2017
Kayley Mayhew is ICAN’s January Volunteer of the Month!
The International Cesarean Awareness Network is powered by the selfless efforts of our numerous volunteers. We cannot thank our dedicated volunteers enough for their cooperation and service in assisting ICAN with accomplishing its mission. In an effort to acknowledge some of our amazing volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to offer support, education, and advocacy for the mothers in their area, the International Cesarean Awareness Network is pleased to announce Kayley Mayhew as the January 2017 Volunteer of the Month. Kayley is a dedicated volunteer out of ICAN of Richmond, VA who’s been with ICAN for about a year. We appreciate the work she does!
How did you first find ICAN?
I found ICAN after my sister-in-law’s daughter passed away unexpectedly at 34 weeks gestation, and she had to have a repeat cesarean to give birth to her angel baby.
What motivates you as a volunteer?
Helping women learn about their strength and find their voice to stand up to tough providers and VBAC bans. Sharing the stories of heartache and triumph with other women so they know they are not alone, and there is hope, and evidence, backing them up to have a happy birth experience.
Do you have a profession or any other passions outside of ICAN?
I currently work from home and am lucky to be a doula with the hopes of one day working as a midwife in rural parts of Virginia.
What was your proudest moment as an ICAN volunteer? What about your hardest?
Being able to genuinely affect the outcome of the birth of many women by providing them with resources, especially by connecting them to an ICAN chapter that helped them find a provider, has been a great source of pride for me. It’s hardest when women share their stories of being abused and mistreated by their providers. I’m happy to have been able to connect some of them with lawyers and resources to look into litigation after their birth injuries. I think of all the women who send in questions and concerns often, sending them all the positive vibes I have in hopes for a positive and empowered birth.
Thank you, Kayley, for all you do!
Announcing New Chapter Leader Jennifer Wood of Northern Virginia
ICAN is excited to announce Jennifer Wood as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Northern Virginia!
Tell us about the birth climate in your area.
ICAN of Northern Virginia serves Northern Virginia and the DC area. The best thing about our area is the birth workers! But there are too many cesareans and too many planned repeats.
How did you find out about ICAN? What drew you to our organization?
I found ICAN through Facebook. I’m really excited about helping women process and feel supported. I wish people knew that ICAN is not only for VBAC moms. All are welcome even if VBAC is not for them. After all, knowledge is power; the more true facts you have the better prepared you are.
Please share a little about yourself.
I am a mom of 2 (one cesarean for breech, one VBAC) married for 8 years to my high school sweetheart. We are a military family who moves a lot. I love to travel. My friends would describe me as energetic, funny, and compassionate.
Welcome, Jennifer! We can’t wait to see how you impact your community!
Evey Quines of Inland Empire is ICAN’s newest leader!
ICAN is excited to announce Evey Quines as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Inland Empire!
The Inland Empire consists of San Bernardino & Riverside counties in California. It is a huge geographical area. My focus is going to be Northern Riverside County and surrounding areas including Riverside, Corona, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga. There are lots of homebirth and birth center options as well as lots of amazing midwives and doulas to choose from. We need to work on getting VBAC restrictions abolished.
Why get involved with ICAN?
When I found out I was having a second baby, I saw a flyer about a VBAC education event. My husband and I went and we were excited to work towards a VBAC and to be tapped into a resource to achieve that goal. It was an uphill battle, but this time I had the knowledge I needed to not only be able to stand up for myself but to be prepared with the right support. I’m excited about meeting families and hearing all the different journeys they’ve been on. I wish other people knew that ICAN is an amazing resource for cesarean education. I believe that no matter what kind of birth you have, you can be empowered and in control. Own that.
Introducing Stacey Davis, ICAN’s newest chapter leader from Southern Utah!
ICAN is excited to announce Stacey Davis as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Southern Utah!
We serve Southern Utah, that includes Cedar City, Utah, and St George, Utah. The best thing about our area is that it is changing, through persistence and advocacy. I do wish there were more VBACs and less RC, more advocacy and information available about birth options for families.
As a doula, I have had clients urge me to start an ICAN chapter. I am excited to be involved with advocacy and educating people on a better birth. I wish other people knew that ICAN is not about saying no to a cesarean section. It is about being empowered in your birth choices and having the ability to make birth choices that are best for you and your family through evidence-based information, even if that means a cesarean section.