In the wake of the large response to our request for stories of serious
medical complications resulting from a cesarean, the ICAN Board has decided
that we want to provide a space on the ICAN website to tell these stories.
Let me explain exactly what we are looking for: we would like stories about
documented physical complications (from minor to life-threatening) resulting
from a cesarean. We also want stories that include *diagnosed*
mental/emotional trauma. I don't want anyone to think that we discount the
incredible toll that mental/emotional trauma takes, diagnosed or not, but
the facts are, most people do not recognize it as "real" or important, but
rather chalk it up to an already unstable woman, or a selfish, whiny
response to unrealistic dreams about having a baby. The goal in collecting
these particular stories is to have unarguable proof that cesareans are not
risk free, that they are not "just another way to have a baby" and they are
neither predictable nor easy.

If you are willing to submit your story, please include the following:
- reason for the cesarean (you do not have to expand on this unless you want
to and any cesarean is "acceptable" -- complications the result of an
absolutely necessary cesarean point out how it can happen even if everything
was done "correctly", but unnecessary cesareans point out the needless risk
that is taken every time a cesarean is done for no good reason)
- any circumstances or complications during the pregnancy or labor that were
not "normal".
- the nature of the complications and what treatment had to be given to
address the complication.
- any long term consequences.
- any actions or responses by the medical staff that relate to the
complication.
- you can also include the impact the complication made on your baby's
health, your marriage, your family, if applicable.

You can be as anonymous as you need -- we will publish them with no more
identifying information that you provide in the story. We have no specific
word limit but obviously, we need people to be succinct, or no one will
actually read the stories. If you are willing to tell your story, please
let me know -- I will send you a release form. If you are willing, in the
future, to speak with the media, please indicate that as well -- hopefully
ICAN will continue to be contacted by members of the media for stories --
the more often we can provide them, the more we become the "go to" source on
cesareans and VBAC.

Please feel free to forward this to any email lists or forums -- that can
also include those for doulas and midwives, since they also may know people
to contact.

Gretchen Humphries
Advocacy Director, ICAN
advocacy@ican-online
http://www.ican-online.org/