Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody presented the chapter leaders of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) and of Birth Network of NWA with a proclamation declaring April Cesarean Awareness Month in Fayetteville. (see picture attached courtesy of ICAN of NWA).
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe also issued a proclamation declaring April Cesarean Awareness Month in Arkansas which will be read and presented to ICAN and Birth Network by State Representative Sue Madison at a reception in recognition of National Cesarean Awareness Month, Monday April 28th at 1:00pm at the Fayetteville Public Library, Walker Room. The public is invited to attend.
ICAN of NWA and Birth Network are two groups working to raise awareness in the community to prevent unnecessary cesareans and promote VBAC, normal birth after c-section, a practice that is currently banned at ALL NWA hospitals but is offered at hospitals in neighboring communities like Berryville, Ft. Smith, Siloam Springs and Little Rock.
1 in 3 babies born in NWA is delivered by c-section, a number that is well over the recommendations of the Arkansas Board of Health, the US Dept. of Health and the World Health Organization.
