Birth Story

This post was originally published in 2015 under the title, “Why you want ICAN on your VBAC team.” It is still as pertinent today for women seeking choices and respect in their future births. Guest post by Mariah Sixkiller. There are some moments in life that feel bigger than you can process while they’re underway. Moments you

“Blood was crucial in determining my surgical outcome. After five units of blood, my surgery was successful. In addition to saving my life, a beautiful five-pound baby was brought into the world. Today, Cooper, 4, is a thriving preschooler who is able to have his mom in his life. I now share my story in

The placenta is an astonishing organ; it is, after all, essential for growing healthy babies. However, in my last pregnancy, the very thing that was giving my daughter life was also something that was risking mine… . . . Read the whole story over at PopSugar.com. . #ICANsavelives Read about ICAN’s Accreta Awareness Month.  

In late October of 2015, I got an unexpected positive pregnancy test (very unexpected), but less than a week later I started to bleed a lot and was lead to believe I miscarried. I came to terms with that and things were going okay. Several weeks passed and I found myself at the local ER with severe

Today we honor and remember those we have lost to accreta. The possibility of the loss of both mom and baby is a real risk when dealing with accreta. We thank the families that have opened their hearts and shared stories of their loved one with us. Opening your heart and sharing your loss is not an easy thing

I’m a survivor of multiple pregnancy complications: placenta increta, incompetent cervix, and postpartum hemorrhage – all during my first viable pregnancy. I had several risk factors for accreta including several D&Cs and hysteroscopies. I was on home bedrest for two months due to incompetent cervix. Then during a routine sonogram at 36 weeks gestation, my

I wish I could remember, but I can’t. The day my daughter was born was one of the worst and best days in my life — a day that almost ended my life — and I can’t remember much of it at all. After spending six weeks in and out (mostly in) of the hospital