ICAN is excited to announce Serena Oliveira as our newest Chapter Leader!
“It is everyone’s birthright to have access to up to date, evidence based research and community support in all realms of reproductive health, wellness and education.” – Serena Oliveira, ICAN of Vancouver Island
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a Certified Doula and mother to two wild willed sons, ages 10 & 5. I work as an outdoor preschool teacher and prenatal instructor. Since 2015, I have been facilitating a weekly postpartum group. I support new and growing families in a variety of settings and birth outcomes, both at home and in the hospital since 2007. In my spare time, I love to dance, paint, carve, study herbalism and to climb trees.
What part of being an ICAN Chapter Leader are you most excited about and why?
Inspiring and resourcing the broader community! There is a silencing and passive response to our increasing rate of cesarean sections in our province. Through education and support I am most excited to connect with other care providers and families to shift the current paradigm of maternity health.
What do you wish other people knew about ICAN?
That we are a pool of resources and knowledge that doesn’t victimize or minimize people’s experiences. Rather, we are a broad international network of passionate, compassionate and diverse community members behind the scenes of a broader movement working towards substantially improving maternity health care around the world.
If you could change one thing about the birth climate in your area, what would it be?
Less stigma for home births, more acceptance of VBAC, including home oriented VBAC, and less fear in general when it comes to childbirth and how it dictates freedom of choice.
When is your next chapter meeting?
Our first introductory meeting will be held on June 27th, at 6:30pm at the Courtenay Library Branch located at 300 6th St, Courtenay BC. See the Facebook event info here!
Congratulations, Serena!
