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Meetings
are free and open to the public; you do not need
to be a member of ICAN to attend. Meetings are for
anyone who is pregnant, is planning to become pregnant,
has had a cesarean section, is planning a VBAC,
or just wants to know more. Partners, babies and
birth professionals are welcome. Tell your friends!
For
more information, email
or call one of our chapter leaders:
Melissa
Taylor, leader of Tampa meetings: (727)
515-0846
Melissa Goodnow, leader of Clearwater
meetings: (727) 417-7240
Heather
Esteves, leader of Clearwater meetings:
(727) 433-0213
Jessica Guerard, leader of Lakeland
meetings: (863) 221-1910
Amy Allison, leader of Lakeland
meetings:( 412) 715-7856
ICAN
of Tampa is a local chapter of the International
Cesarean Awareness Network, a non-profit organization
founded in 1982. ICAN’s mission is to prevent
unnecessary cesareans through education, to provide
support for cesarean recovery, and to promote VBAC.
For more information on ICAN, visit: http://ican-online.org/
ICAN’s Statement
of Beliefs
We, the International Cesarean Awareness
Network, believe that:
1. The inappropriate over use of cesarean
surgery is jeopardizing the lives of mothers and
babies.
2. When a cesarean is necessary, it
can be a lifesaving technique for both mother and
baby, and worth the risks involved.
3. Birth is a normal physiological
process. Research shows that with emotional support,
education, and an honest opportunity, the vast majority
of women can have a healthy vaginal birth.
4. A healthy birth incorporates emotional,
physical, and spiritual well-being.
5. Research shows that VBAC is reasonable
and safe for both mother and baby. A repeat cesarean
should never be considered routine– it is
major abdominal surgery with many risks.
6. It is unethical and unenforceable
for hospitals to institute VBAC bans. Women have
the right to refuse any procedure, including a cesarean.
7. Women have the right to true informed
consent and refusal, which entails full knowledge
of the risks and benefits of all tests, drugs, and
procedures.
8. It is incumbent upon every care
provider and institution to facilitate the informed
consent process.
9. Women must be allowed to express
all their birth related feelings in a safe and supportive
environment. The emotions of a pregnant and birthing
woman have profound effects on the birth outcome
and recovery.
10. It is unethical for a physician
to recommend and/or perform non-medically indicated
cesareans (elective). Women are not being fully
informed of the risks of this option in childbirth,
and therefore make decisions based on cultural myth
and fear surrounding childbirth.
11. The trend of “elective cesareans”
is being significantly overstated through distortion
of research and data.
12. We as women must now assume more
responsibility for our own births.
13. It is critical that women’s
choice of care provider and location of birth is
respected.
Banner photograph
courtesy of Patricia Cannon, Sweet
Plum Photography
International
Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. ("ICAN")
maintains this website as an online information
and communications service. Use of this website
is at your own risk. The information contained on
or provided through this website is intended for
general consumer understanding and education only,
is not intended to be, and is not provided as a
substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing
contained on or provided through the website is
intended to be or is to be used for medical diagnosis
or treatment. The website is presented by ICAN for
the sole purpose of disseminating general health
information for public benefit. Always seek the
advice of your midwife, physician, nurse or other
qualified health care provider before you undergo
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may have regarding a medical condition. The website
and any information provided on the website are
not intended to constitute the practice of or furnishing
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Except for information,
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In no event will ICAN
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Copyright © 2013 International Cesarean Awareness
Network
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