Leadership

Meet our chapter leaders!

Jodia Peters
“I am thrilled to be a new leader for the ICAN of Loveland chapter! I would have loved to have this community 22 years ago after having my first baby, and through the years as I could have used the support and resources ICAN offers.

My first baby was born by emergent cesarean at 36 weeks under general anesthesia. I was a young mother, but knew I wanted to have a different experience with my second birth.
19 months later I had an amazing unmedicated VBAC. I then had 2 more successful VBACS, trying an epidural with my 4th baby, since honestly, I wanted to know what it felt like.
I wasn’t taking care of myself very well when I was pregnant with my fifth baby, since I was busy taking care of 4 little children. I was hoping to have another unmedicated VBAC, but she turned breech in early labor, and all of the options for a vaginal birth I could come up with were not an option, so I consented to another cesarean delivery.
That recovery took a lot longer than my previous cesarean, so I knew things had to change in my life.
I started doing research and making healthier life choices, and knew I wanted to have a VBA2C with my sixth baby.
It was difficult to find a provider that was able to help me, because of different reasons, so I was planning on delivering at home.
But plans changed when there was a possible risk of accreta.
I was able to have an unmedicated VBA2C in the hospital, with no complications.
My seventh baby was born by another emergent cesarean at 33 weeks, with a 26 day NICU stay.
When I was pregnant with my eighth baby I searched for a provider that would support my desire to have a VBA3C, but that was not a possibility in Northern Colorado.
I grieved the fact that I needed to prepare myself for a scheduled cesarean, so again I did a lot of research to add to the operating room things I would miss from having a vaginal birth.
I was able to ask for things that were not hospital policy in 2010, and had a better birth experience than I did even 5 years previous with my second cesarean.
I then had an even better family centered cesarean with our ninth baby, and the things I asked for are regular hospital policy today.
Sadly our tenth baby passed away when I was 22 weeks pregnant.
I wanted to try and deliver her vaginally, but it was not an option for my situation.
She was born by cesarean, and it was a very emotionally difficult recovery.
About a year and a half later I decided to become certified as a bereavement doula, but I didn’t want to just focus on loss, so I trained to be a DONA certified Birth doula, postpartum doula, breastfeeding educator, childbirth educator, New parent educator and Spinning Babies Parent educator.
As a woman who has personally experienced VBACs, a VBA2C,  unplanned, planned & emergent cesareans, I really embrace, and love ICAN’s vision.
Learning about ICAN in my training I saw the need to have this special community of people that ICAN brings. A couple of other women started the ICAN of Loveland group and I knew it had to continue. We need this organization in Northern Colorado!
I support for those hoping to avoid an unnecessary cesarean, support those recovering from a cesarean, planning for a vaginal birth after cesarean, or planning for a scheduled cesarean.
Knowing what options are available in whatever situation can help families to have a birth to celebrate.

Jessica Villella
“Hello, I am Jessica Villella. I am a mommy, a doula and an educator in Northern Colorado. Through my own personal experiences and journey into motherhood, I have found that I have a deep love and passion for all things birth, babies and parenting. Birth and motherhood has been the most challenging, empowering and inspiring moments of my life and I believe that every woman deserves to feel loved, supported and feel empowered by their experience- regardless of their preferences or situation. As a cesarean mama and VBAC mama, I know how much support is needed through this unique time this can be from processing, to preparing, to recovering. Birth is a beautiful and wild journey- & you only get one opportunity to create your birth story. I believe with education, support & confidence in your intuition, you can have an empowering parenting journey.”