International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc (ICAN)
- The organization started over 25 years ago when cesarean rates were around 10% and thought to be at a high level. As of 2006, cesarean rates were 31/1% and rising; anticipated around 32% this year.
- The only Iowa Chapter is located here in Des Moines started 5 years ago; in the last 6 months there has been an increase in membership. Anyone can attend meetings and participate in the discussion board, no subscription required.
- Iowa ICAN has a library of videos and books that anyone can check out.
- Meetings are held 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30 typically at the Urbandale Library (check website first). The 1st 30-60 minutes includes organizational business and educational speaker; a break is taken at 8:00 and then attendees can stay for support/sharing/resouces.
- Group attendees consist of ladies that have had C-sections, ladies that have given birth vaginally, ladies that have not given birth, doulas, etc.
- For detailed information, please access the ICAN and Iowa ICAN websistes found on Speakers Page
- Pregnancy, Inductions, C-section prevention, etc information: http://ican-online.org/pregnancy/home
- One of the reasons that C-sections are on the rise is due to the limited amount of support and resources for VBACs (Vaginal Births After Cesarean). ICAN provides various forums (discussion board and monthly meetings) to provide education, support, and information.
- Many providers do not allow VBACs due to the potential risk of uterus ruptures. It is thought that ruptures tend to occur more with scarred uteruses (from C-sections), however, ruptures happen with scarred and unscarred uterus.
- Many labor enhancing drugs such as cytotec and pitocin are also causing ruptures of unscarred uteruses.
- Cytotec is a common labor progressing drug for women that are induced. This drug is much more powerful and dangerous than pitocin. Please ask questions and be educated if this drug is suggested.
- American culture has accepted C-sections and most believe nothing is wrong with them
- C-sections are very risky for mom and baby as it is major surgery
- Des Moines Hospital Cesarean Rates:
- Broadlawns 33.2%
- Iowa Lutheran 25%
- Iowa Methodist 28%
- Mercy 31%
- Overall state of Iowa C-section rate is 28.3%
- 50% of inductions result in C-sections.
- Recommendation is to always EDUCATE yourself on birth choices and end results, say no to inductions (trust your body to grow, labor, and birth the baby; women are built to do this successfully), and keep baby in optimal position.
- Breech babies can be turned; chiropractic techniques, acupuncture techniques, etc
- If having twins, as long as the first baby comes out head down, the second can be birthed breech (please research in depth for additonal information)
- The average length of pregnancies is 41 weeks; the due date is originally set based upon a woman ovulating on the 14th day and not every woman has the same cycle timeline.
- If a C-section is done, a 2 layer (double) incision closure is recommended so that providers may take you as a potential VBAC patient for next pregnancy.
