ICAN is excited to announce Naya Daily as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Loveland, CO!

Tell us about the birth climate in your area.

We serve Northern Colorado, including Loveland, Berthoud, Longmont, Windsor, Greeley, Fort Collins, Wellington, and Johnstown. Positive changes are being made in Northern Colorado. Families are becoming better educated about pregnancy and birth, they are voicing their goals and concerns, and most importantly families are being heard. Families’ needs are being met by their providers and by the hospitals. Hospitals in our area are becoming family-centered and using the midwifery model of care which is the desire. I would love to see certified and registered doulas be viewed as an asset to families planning the birth of their choice.

What drew you to ICAN?

I found out about ICAN in 2007 when I was pregnant with our second daughter and planning to have a VBAC. I was searching for all the information I could find on VBACs and also for support from other moms who have had a successful VBAC. I was drawn to ICANs friendly feel and abundant resources. I am very excited about educating and supporting women who have questions about planning their VBAC or CBAC. I am excited to be a part of guiding women to reach their birthing goals, empowering them, and hearing their stories. I am passionate about improving the overall birthing community in our area and helping to create cesarean awareness. I wish other people knew that ICAN is a safe place where women can come be themselves, be heard, and not judged, and find the information they need to make decisions that are right for them and their family.

Please share a little about yourself!

Someone might describe me as passionate, sensitive, and considerate of others. My husband and I have two beautiful daughters and one energetic son. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and I am a Certified Labor Doula. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with my husband and kids.

Next meeting?

Our next meeting is scheduled for April 24th at 6 pm at Bluebird Chiropractic and we are discussing alternative comfort measures to use during the birthing time.

ICAN is excited to announce Deborah Eacock as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Fresno!

Tell us about the birth climate in your area.

We serve Fresno, CA-Central Valley of California, including the Fresno/Clovis area, and possibly some of the South Valley. The birth climate is evolving here. We’re learning and connecting with groups outside of our immediate area. Lots of new energy is coming in. I wish everyone in the birth community would be less judgmental & competitive and become more open-hearted and willing to share.

What drew you to ICAN?

I attended some meetings years ago, but our local chapter disbanded a while back. As a birth worker, I truly believe in the work of ICAN. So, instead of just saying, “We need an ICAN chapter”, I decided to make one happen again. I’m excited to get out into the community – meeting mamas, providers, other related groups. I wish more people knew that ICAN is available and has such great support and education.

Please share a little about yourself!

Friends would describe me as quiet but passionate. I’ve been a birthworker for 16 years. Currently, I teach Hypnobirthing and HypnoMothering classes. I’m also a certified master clinical hypnotherapist, a yoga teacher, and aromatherapist. I’ve been married to my sweet husband for 20 years and we have three grown children and 4 grandchildren. Reading, gardening, and cooking are some of my favorite things to do.

Next meeting?

I’m looking at the first Thursday in May at 6:00 pm!

Congrats, Deborah! We can’t wait to see what you and your chapter get up to!

ICAN is excited to announce Amanda Beck as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Vancouver (WA)!

.

Tell us about the birth climate in your area.

My chapter is in the PNW! Vancouver serves the southwest region of Washington state, up toward Seattle, and east into the Columbia River Gorge. The number of providers of different types (OB/GYNs, CNM/CPM midwives, lay midwives, doulas) is a bonus to this area in so many ways. I would like cesareans to not be viewed as the end-all-be-all of subsequent births, that VBAC is a viable, healthy option for many women.

.

What drew you to ICAN? 

When researching VBACs during my second pregnancy, I learned about ICAN from other moms on message boards and in forums. I didn’t have a chapter in my state until after she was born though. I have found such support and comfort in knowing other women who have walked a similar path through pregnancy and birth. I look forward to being a source of information, support, and community for new moms coming down the cesarean path. I have gained much in learning from those ahead of me and I hope to be able to provide that for those coming behind me.

.

What do you wish other people knew about ICAN?

I wish that ICAN did not have a VBAC-only image. Yes, we promote VBACs and advocate for lower cesarean rates (for good reason!) but that doesn’t mean that moms who choose only cesarean birth or who have CBAC births aren’t welcome and important members of the community.

.

Please share a little about yourself!

My friends would say I was forthright, determined to shine a light on truth, and mothering. I am currently a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to four children. Originally from Arkansas, I moved to the PNW when my third child was five weeks old. When not wrangling their many interests and needs, I fit a little reading, a little knitting, and a little movie watching into my time margins.

ICAN is excited to announce Karina Robinson as our newest chapter leader! She has completed training and will be leading ICAN of Davis County, UT!

.

Tell us about the birth climate in your area.

We serve the Weber/Davis County/Northern Salt Lake Area. We have lots of birth options but I wish the area was more knowledge about birth basics.

.

What drew you to ICAN?

I’m excited to help other moms achieve their goals and prevent unnecessary cesareans. I really believe that if people knew more about cesarean risks, their options to avoid cesareans, VBAC supportive providers, etc. we could lower the cesarean rates. I wish more people understood that ICAN helps moms who haven’t had a cesarean prevent a cesarean and that we also help moms who choose to have repeat cesarean.

.

Please share a little about yourself!

My friends would describe me as passionate, calm, and loving. I’m dedicated to helping moms in the Weber/Davis county area. Associate of Science, DONA trained doula, Advanced Certified Doula, HypnoDoula, The Bradley Method CBE, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, Postpartum Belly binder. 3 children. Hobbies – anything birth related! Hiking, outdoors stuff, TV

.