By Benjamin Earwicker

With an increasing rate of surgical births in the United States, many experts are concerned with the increase in postpartum depression women can suffer after their cesarean sections. ICAN, International Cesarean Awareness Network, is an organization dedicated to cesarean "prevention, recovery, and advocacy".

One of the ways in which ICAN helps mothers, is with postpartum recovery after a traumatic birth experience. Mothers who have delivered a child through a cesarean section can be at a higher risk for post traumatic stress disorder, however, peer support groups can help mothers during their emotional recovery.

Oklahoma City now has an ICAN support group forming to help women right here in the greater OKC area. Chapter Leader, Brooke Smith, RN, said in an interview with Examiner, "ICAN supports women suffering from PPD through peer support. Support groups help. Unfortunately, I think it's one of the most under-recognized aspects to c-section recovery in the medical community. ICAN is the support group for women who've had c-sections."

Brooke's passion for supporting women during this tough time comes from her personal experience with the cesarean section birth of her daughter. "I wish I would have paid more attention to c-section prevention during my pregnancy. I was naive. ICAN has excellent information that could prevent so many c-sections. "

Brooke recounts the emotional frustration that came in talking with friends and family during her postpartum period. She, like many women, felt misunderstood, guilty, frustrated, or confused. This is where ICAN can be so healing. "It felt so good to me to know that there were women in this world, even in Oklahoma City, who were upset because of their c-section.....There are women who 'get it' at ICAN. First through support, then through education and advocacy, PPD is eased and even prevented with ICAN."