Welcome to ICAN of Louisville, a proud member of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).


Founded in February of 2007, ICAN of Louisville plans to bring cesarean prevention and education back into the greater Louisville area, while offering post-cesarean support, and VBAC education and advocacy. In its most recent report, the Center for Disease Control lists Kentucky's cesarean rate at 34.6% - the 7th highest in the nation. One in three babies is born in Louisville by C-section. We have a higher surgical birth rate than the national average (31.8%). With WHO (the World Health Organization) estimating that half of all cesarean sections performed in the U.S. are unnecessary and many Louisville mothers questioning the necessity of their cesarean births, we have work to do.


ICAN of Louisville offers Educational Meetings open to the public, as well as Support Meetings for local mothers. Our meetings are held at 7pm at Louisville Family Chiropractic, at 8117 New LaGrange Road, in the Lyndon area. Our educational meetings are free to attend, and we encourage new and expectant parents to join us at these informative meetings. Members of the community who would like to learn more are, of course, welcome!


For meeting information and chapter announcements, visit our blog.



2010 Meeting Schedule

* ICAN meetings are always free to attend and open to the community.
* Meetings run from 7 - 8:30pm
* Babes-in-arms are welcome to attend; child-care is not provided. Out of respect for our presenters, if you bring children to meetings, please bring quiet toys and books for them to play with.
* Support meetings are geared towards women in the community who have experienced a traumatic or disappointing birth experience.


Monday, January 4: Support Meeting

Monday, February 1: Birthing in the Hospital: Getting the Birth You Want
Guest Speaker: Beth Bary, RN, CNM

Monday, March 1: Support Meeting

Monday, April 5: Choosing VBAC
Our 3nd Birthday and Cesarean Awareness Month!

Monday, May 3: Support Meeting

Monday, June 7:Why Babies Love Homebirth
Guest Speaker: Juliet Dietsch CLC, homebirth midwife, and ICAN member

Monday, July 5: Support Meeting

Monday, August 2: Pelvic Balancing for Optimal Fetal Positioning
Guest Speaker: Dr. Leah Wright, DC, doula, and ICAN member

(No September Meeting)

Monday, October 4: Hospital Interventions: Risks, Benefits, & Alternatives
Guest Speaker: Stacie Walker, LMT, childbirth educator, doula, and ICAN member

Monday, November 1: Support Meeting

Monday, December 6: Meet the Professionals Night & LABORING Under an ILLUSION Film Showing
*Contact us or stay tuned for special December meeting location

Meetings canceled when JCPS closes due to inclement weather.

 

If you would like handouts or information presented in one of our past meetings, please contact us.