The Beginnings
The Central Iowa Chapter of ICAN was founded in March, 2004 by a group frustrated by the VBAC ban that was in place at that time at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines & other Iowa hospitals, and wanted to make sure that birthing people had access to a whole range of birthing options such as VBAC, births attended by doctors or midwives, at homes, birth centers, or hospitals. They also wanted to provide a place for people who had birthed by cesarean to share their feelings & recover emotionally as well as physically.
ICAN of Central Iowa took a short hiatus for six months in 2019 and re-launched in the summer of 2019.
ICAN’s National Organization
ICAN of Central Iowa is a chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network, an international nonprofit organization.
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (formerly Cesarean Prevention Movement), is an international, nonprofit organization that was founded by concerned parents and professionals in June 1982 led by Esther Booth Zorn. Governed by an elected Board of Directors, ICAN has grown rapidly with supporters in every state of the U.S., as well as many foreign countries. Many chapters provide information and support on a one-to-one basis. ICAN also has a distinguished Advisory Board of birth professionals. Since ICAN’s inception, the vaginal birth after cesarean rate has doubled, yet there remains much to be done to prevent initial cesareans, as well as promote VBAC. ICAN’s Statement of Beliefs summarizes its philosophy.
Rights and Responsibilities
ICAN helps women to realize that they have both rights and responsibilities regarding birth which they need to accept. By doing so, they can regain control over their bodies and their births. ICAN works to insure that women have easy access to accurate information about pregnancy and birth. That information needs to include the risks and benefits of a cesarean, vaginal birth, drugs during labor, and other procedures. ICAN also promotes legislation that requires hospitals and physicians to reveal statistical information so that women can make informed decisions about where they wish to give birth.
Emotional Support
A birthing person’s emotions can profoundly affect the birth outcome – which in turn can affect their life. People need to feel free to express all their birth-related feelings. Chapters provide a safe place where people can explore and share their feelings, become aware of birth options, and learn new information. In this supportive environment people begin to realize they are not alone.
Mission Statement
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).