International Cesarean Awareness Network

Education, Support, & Advocacy for Birth Justice & Healing

Meet the Leadership: Beth LaRose

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Chapter Leader Spotlight: Beth LaRose – ICAN of Springfield, MO

Please share a little about yourself.

I’m a stay at home mama to three little boys. I’m an avid reader and love to crochet and craft when I’m not chasing my wild little boys down!

How did you find out about ICAN?

An ICAN member told me about meetings when I was struggling with my own difficult cesarean. I was drawn in looking for answers and hopefully a future VBAC.

What do you wish other people knew about ICAN?

That ICAN is not “anti-cesarean section” and that having a VBAC is a very real possibility.

What area does your chapter serve?

Springfield and the southwest area of Missouri.

What is the best thing about the birth climate in your area?

There are many options for natural births and there are no official VBAC bans at local hospitals.

Where can we find out more info about your chapter?

You can check out our Facebook page here!

Thank you for all you do, Beth!


















Meet the Leadership: Ashley Stetson


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Chapter Leader Spotlight: Ashley Stetson, ICAN of San Diego





What drew you to ICAN?





I joined after my triplets were born via emergency cesarean and became more active after I became a birth worker. I am passionate about ICAN’s mission to save moms and babies and I believe how we are born impacts our entire lives. 





What part of being an ICAN Chapter Leader are you most excited about and why?





I am so excited to reach more families recovering from, planning or trying to avoid a cesarean. I love our community and I cannot wait to watch it grow. 





What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about cesarean/VBAC awareness?





I believe our increased cesarean rate is directly related to the over medicalizing and highly interventionist approach to birth of our maternal care system. I believe VBAC should readily available, without restrictions or rules, to all healthy moms. I believe cesareans should be rare and be family and BIRTH-centric experiences; not cold, impersonal procedures.





Please share a little about yourself.





I gave birth to spontaneous triplets in 2011. Their birth inspired me to pursue birth work, with the support of my husband, and I became a birth doula in 2013. I began teaching Hypnobirthing in 2015. I still attend births, teach Hypnobirthing, and mentor new doulas. I love Star Wars, Marvel and Harry Potter (basically every nerdy thing). I love going to Disneyland with my kids, and I love this birth community and the relationships it has created for me. 





What area does your chapter serve and where can we find more information about it?





We serve San Diego county. Our Facebook page is here, where you can find out about our next meeting, which will be held in the new year. 





Thank you for all you do, Ashley!


Meet the Leadership: Amy Schrader


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Chapter Leader Spotlight: Amy Schrader, ICAN of Manhattan





How did you find out about ICAN?





My friend saw a posting of about the chapter looking for a Co-Leader and she told me about it.  I thought it sounded like a great project and as a Certified Birth Educator (CBE), I thought it was right up my alley.





How would others describe you?





Someone who is approachable, always willing to help out and is very reliable and is not afraid to say “I don’t know.” I pride myself on being a caring person and try never to judge.





Please tell us a little about yourself.





CBE is my third career. I was a lawyer and a marketer for textiles before I had children.  I have three children, a boy and twin girls. I work part time as a CBE and run a new mothers group.  I love my new found career, and I wish I had been a more educated pregnant person.





If you could change one thing about the birth climate in your area, what would it be?





I would educate everyone before they had their first baby! I would also love to convince people to be more active in feeling confident in having conversations with their providers.





How can we find out more about your chapter?





Our ICAN of Manhattan Facebook page is here. Check us out for meeting and other information.





Thank you for all you do, Amy!

















Meet the Leadership: Lydia Vance


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Chapter Leader Spotlight: Lydia Vance, ICAN of Upstate SC





How did you find out about ICAN?





My friend Dana told me about ICAN. I was drawn to be involved based on my own cesarean experiences. I wanted to be able to support other moms who will go through similar journeys.





What do you wish more people knew about ICAN?





I wish more people knew how much we have to offer.  People often hear of organizations and think that they will just be another number. We want every mother to know that we are here to get to know them, and to teach and support them.





Please share a little about yourself. 





I am married to my high school sweetheart. We have four beautiful children. I love to be outside, and play sports. I work for as a doula, and I am passionate about helping other moms and families make informed decisions about their birth experiences.





What area does your chapter serve?





We serve Greenville and all areas of Upstate South Carolina.





If you could change one thing about the birth climate in your area, what would it be?





That midwives would be less restricted, and more respected.





How can we  find out more info on your chapter?





You can find our chapter’s Facebook page here.





Thank you for all you do, Lydia!


Meet the Leadership: Robin Wilson


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Chapter Leader Spotlight:             Robin Wilson, ICAN of Northern Virginia





How did you find out about ICAN?





My doula literally dragged me to my first meeting!  I kept coming because it was the first place I saw hope since having my cesarean.





What part of being an ICAN Chapter Leader are you most excited about and why?





I’m excited to find new ideas for meetings.  People need support in various ways, and I’m excited to incorporate art, speakers and panel discussions into our meetings.





What do you wish people knew about ICAN?





That ICAN is really for everyone.  Whether you’ve had a cesarean or not, it’s important to know the current state of maternal health in the US & it’s important to hear it directly from the people who experience it.  Whether you plan to have a VBAC or RCS, the risks and benefits of both are important to know in order to have an understanding and empathy for those birthing people.  There’s so much judgement flying around about birthing people and their choices, yet if we take the time to listen to them, we can gain an understanding of them and ourselves.





Where does your chapter serve?





Northern Virginia – we serve Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Prince William County and Loudoun County, and DC.





If you could change one thing about the birth climate in your area, what would it be?





The pressure.  There’s a great deal of pressure to have the “best” OB, to have your baby before 40 weeks, to be induced, to schedule the cesarean.  I would love to see it all slow down.





Is there anything else you would like to share?





I credit my ICAN chapter for being the first people to tell me I needed professional help.  Of course I didn’t believe them, but they lovingly listened to me each month.  After being diagnosed with PTSD from my midwife, I finally reached out to a birth trauma therapist who had spoken at a meeting and who helped me down to path to healing and thus having an empowered second birth.  

ICAN meetings provide a unique safe place to bare intimate feelings and emotions, and connect people with the resources toward whole self healing.





Where can we find out more about your chapter?





You can find our Facebook page here. Our next meeting is on Saturday, December 14 at 10 a.m. at the Richard Byrd Library in Springfield, VA. 





Thank you for all you do, Robin!