Chapter Leader Spotlight: Ashley Stetson, ICAN of San Diego
What drew you to ICAN?
I joined after my triplets were born via emergency cesarean and became more active after I became a birth worker. I am passionate about ICAN’s mission to save moms and babies and I believe how we are born impacts our entire lives.
What part of being an ICAN Chapter Leader are you most excited about and why?
I am so excited to reach more families recovering from, planning or trying to avoid a cesarean. I love our community and I cannot wait to watch it grow.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about cesarean/VBAC awareness?
I believe our increased cesarean rate is directly related to the over medicalizing and highly interventionist approach to birth of our maternal care system. I believe VBAC should readily available, without restrictions or rules, to all healthy moms. I believe cesareans should be rare and be family and BIRTH-centric experiences; not cold, impersonal procedures.
Please share a little about yourself.
I gave birth to spontaneous triplets in 2011. Their birth inspired me to pursue birth work, with the support of my husband, and I became a birth doula in 2013. I began teaching Hypnobirthing in 2015. I still attend births, teach Hypnobirthing, and mentor new doulas. I love Star Wars, Marvel and Harry Potter (basically every nerdy thing). I love going to Disneyland with my kids, and I love this birth community and the relationships it has created for me.
What area does your chapter serve and where can we find more information about it?
We serve San Diego county. Our Facebook page is here, where you can find out about our next meeting, which will be held in the new year.
