ICAN of Charleston is a mother-to-mother support group. We hold free monthly meetings for anyone planning a spontaneous vaginal birth, anyone recovering from a cesarean and the birth professionals and activists who support us. We meet on the SECOND Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., at James Family Chiropractic, 455 Old Trolley Road, Summerville.

MISSION STATEMENT
ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by:
(1) preventing unnecessary cesareans through education,
(2) providing support for cesarean recovery, and
(3) promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).

RECOMMENDED READING
Pushed by Jennifer Block
The Caesarean by Michel Odent
Cesarean Voices by ICAN

VBAC BANS: What to do if your hospital or provider “bans” VBAC
http://www.ican-online.org/resources/white_papers/wp_vbacbanqa.pdf

CESAREAN RECOVERY RESOURCES
ICAN’s White Paper
http://www.ican-online.org/resources/white_papers/wp_recovering_cesarean.pdf

Yahoo group started by ICAN women who found it too painful to read VBAC posts while processing a repeat cesarean.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CBACsupport/

ABUSED/ASSAULTED IN LABOR? How to file a complaint:
http://cfmidwifery.org/Resources/Item.aspx?ID=1

CONSIDERING LEGAL ACTION?
www.advocatesforpregnantwomen.org/
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=668204

QUOTES
There is a secret in our society, and it’s not that childbirth is painful. It’s that women are strong. ~ Laura Stavoe Harm

Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength. ~ Barbara Katz Rothman

Just as a woman’s heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth. ~ Virginia Di Orio

NOTE: This list is not a substitute for consultation from health-care providers. We do not endorse Yahoo-sponsored links.