Swiss Birth Stories

Send us Fan MailValentina's resources are below this descriptionBorn on a tiny river boat in Colombia during a tropical storm, Valentina grows up across continents and later lands in Switzerland working in maternal health and gender equity. Then pregnancy hits and theory becomes real. Hyperemesis gravidarum leaves her sick for months, and she learns how quickly a system can turn “protocol” into pressure when a mother is exhausted and vulnerable.We talk through what informed consent actually sounds like when your waters break, time starts ticking, and someone pushes oxytocin or an early induction at Triemli Stadtspital Zurich. Valentina shares how she asks for the least invasive option, gets second and third opinions, and holds her ground even when it makes the room uncomfortable. She also opens up about postpartum anxiety and that disorienting early feeling of “is this my baby?” plus the relief of finally getting clear mental health guidance instead of vague reassurance.Then the breastfeeding story deepens. Persistent pain gets brushed off again and again until she finds La Leche League support and starts connecting the dots to oral restrictions, including posterior tongue tie and lip tie. From there, we follow her through breastfeeding after breast implant complications and surgery, a second pregnancy with better care, a planned home birth that transfers to hospital, and the surprisingly complex beauty of tandem feeding and child-led weaning.If you care about birth stories in Switzerland, doula support, breastfeeding help, tongue tie assessment, and maternal rights, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the support they deserve.Valentina's Resources: Aline Schneckenburger who was also my therapist (perinatal psychologist) for all these years Ximena Silva who is also known as the birth fairy for the Spanish speaking mamas. Her company is called Nacer - midwife for the home birth Christine Faessler Postpartum Hebammes and former colleagues Haerzklopfä HebammeSurgeon who performed the implant explant and removed my implants during my first lactation journey: Dr. med. Alessia Lardi Valentina's information and contact:1) VSV Perinatal Health & Equity Consulting - seLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailLisa's resources are below this descriptionWhat an episode. When Lisa is told again and again that her recurring miscarriages are “just bad luck,” she knows that's not it. She follows her intuition, pushes for deeper testing, and finally gets an answer. Lisa has a balanced chromosomal translocation, a rare genetic rearrangement that makes naturally conceived pregnancies far more likely to end.That diagnosis forces impossible choices. Lisa and her Swiss husband look at IVF realities, adoption barriers, and the heartbreak of more loss, then choose donor egg IVF. But because egg donation is illegal in Switzerland (a topic discussed in the episodes), they travel to a Greek fertility clinic and learn the logistics and emotions of cross-border care, donor screening, anonymity, and what it means to build a family this way. The first transfer works, but pregnancy still brings health anxiety, intense symptoms, and the lingering fear that good news can disappear.Then comes birth. Lisa shares her fears of childbirth, why she planned a hospital birth in Kantonspital Winterthur with doula support, how an induction is recommended after late-pregnancy measurements, and what it’s like to move through a long, brutal labour when pain relief doesn’t fully touch the intensity. We also unpack the cascade of interventions, vacuum-assisted delivery, brief newborn oxygen support, retained placenta surgery, a severe postpartum haemorrhage, and the months of triple feeding and guilt that follow. It’s a raw, honest story about resilience, anger, tenderness, all so generously shared by the honest and candid conversation with Lisa. If this conversation helps you, please subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a rating and review so more parents and parents to be in Switzerland can find these stories.Here are Lisa's resources:Fertility specialist in Zurich: https://www.kinderwunsch-zuerich.ch/Lisa's clinic in Greece where was matched with her egg donor: https://www.newlife-ivf.co.uk/Christine was Lisa's doula: www.lilybee.chLisa can be contacted here for connecting about issues like balanced translocation, fertility assistance, donor eggs: [email protected] to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailGiulia's resources are below. Wow, what a story. You will want to stick around for the postpartum discussion and her incredibly brilliant moment which left not a dry eye on the recording that day. A birth plan can be thoughtful, informed, and deeply held and still get rewritten in real time. Guilia came into labour hoping for a low-intervention, midwife-led experience at Triemli Hospital in Zurich, supported by preparation, hypnobirthing tools, and the belief that staying open to Plan B matters. What follows is a powerful Swiss birth story about patience, endurance, and the strange mix of grief and gratitude that can sit side by side when labour stretches past 24 hours and a very difficult postpartum diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease. We talk through monitoring post due-date and induction choices, including acupuncture, a castor oil cocktail, and the moment an unexplained bleed changes things. Giulia shares what helped her cope during intense contractions, why the birth pool felt like relief, and how it felt to keep trying position after position while dilation and descent stayed stubbornly slow. When exhaustion takes over, she chooses an epidural, and eventually a caesarean section becomes the safest next step. The care and steadiness of the midwives becomes a central part of how she remembers a tough birth with warmth. Her incredibly willingness to truly "try it all" (and then some!) is such a powerful part of this story. Then, nine days postpartum, everything shifts. Feeding struggles and poor weight gain turn into an emergency visit, NICU separation, and a rare diagnosis: Hirschsprung disease, a gastrointestinal condition that blocks the colon. Giulia walks us through pumping and visiting daily, learning colon flushes at home, and waiting months for major corrective surgery. We also zoom out to the postpartum realities people don’t warn you about, from C-section recovery and breastfeeding pressure to freelance work, childcare costs, and finding a village in Zurich. If this story resonates, subscribe to Swiss Birth Stories, share it with a parent who needs hope, and leave a rating or review so more families can find these honest conversations. What part of Giulia's journey did you relate to most?Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailKateryna's resources are below this descriptionWhat happens when a healthcare system’s “just in case” meets a mother’s calm, clear questioning: “what’s actually happening right now?”, "How is my baby doing?" Originally from Ukraine, we meet Kateryna to explore her five-year fertility journey, her two planned home births in the Zurich area, and the tightrope walk between hospital protocol, fact-finding and personal autonomy. From a low fluid scare and a breech presentation to a successful ECV (a procedure to turn the baby before it is born) followed by a rare bleeding complication, she takes us inside the decisions that turned anxiety into agency and pressure into preference.We move through practical strategies for navigating late-pregnancy curveballs: how she assessed induction recommendations with a clear head, what respectful monitoring sounds like, and where to find breech-friendly care in Switzerland. Kateryna’s first home birth unfolded with movement, hypnobirthing, and water; her second arrived in a sunlit pool in under a minute after a forest walk and mindful positioning. Her approach was never “home at all costs.” Hospitals were registered, transfer plans ready, and informed consent constant- proof that safety and softness can coexist when parents are trusted.Postpartum is where her philosophy crystallizes. The first time, she rushed back to life and paid for it with prolonged bleeding and discomfort. The second, she committed to forty days of rest, clear boundaries, and targeted support, including a rented therapeutic laser for nipple healing and a lotus birth that demanded slow, attentive care. The result: steadier breastfeeding, deeper sleep, and a remarkably calm baby. We also talk about changing doctors at 38 weeks, the red flags that signal misalignment, and the green lights that say you’ve found your team.If you’re weighing home birth, facing breech, or just craving a gentler postpartum, this story offers concrete tools and uncommon peace. Listen, share with a friend who needs a confidence boost, and subscribe for more Swiss birth stories and expert insights. Your review helps more parents find evidence-based, heart-forward care.Kateryna's resources: - Hebammen https://www.instagram.com/haerzchlopfae_hebamme?igsh=MzM5ZTE5YjB2aThz- Doctor to turn breech baby https://frauenarzt-genesis.ch/dr-el-idrissi/- Doctor to give birth vaginaly with breech Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailEmily's resources and contact info are below this description :After five years of trying, Emily and her husband's fertility journey ends not with another treatment cycle, but with an act of surrender and faith. And then, a positive test surprises them two weeks later! Emily, a UK–Italian psychologist living in Uster, ZH, invites us into her honest, layered journey through PCOS, infertility, a late breech pregnancy, and an induction at Spital Uster that swung from serene to urgent in minutes. We talk about the moment her waters broke, why a 36-week conversation about pain relief changed everything, and how a calm, epidural-supported labour turned into a rapid forceps delivery that brought her son safely earthside.The harder chapter began after birth. With a tailbone injury, stitches, and a very large newborn, Emily couldn’t sit, lift, or walk without pain. Bonding looked different. Her husband took the nights and nappies; her Italian family moved in, filling the home with meals, care, and the steady wisdom of a great-grandmother in her 90s. Together, they built a real village. Emily shares how accepting help became both a psychological hurdle and a lifeline, and how strength training tailored for PCOS helped rebuild her body and confidence.Threaded through it all is a theme that challenges modern myths of control: faith alongside science, surrender alongside planning, and the radical idea that a baby’s life is valuable before it achieves anything at all. If you’re navigating fertility uncertainty, planning an induction, weighing pain relief options in Switzerland, or bracing for the variations of postpartum recovery, Emily’s story offers practical insights and a grounded reminder that community is medicine.If this conversation moved you, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share it with someone else. Your support helps more parents find these stories and feel less alone.Emily's resources:Dr. Emily ReevesCertified Psychologist Time for Peace Psychology Practice (Uster)www.timeforpeace.chHer personal trainer: Justina: https://justinatraining.com/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailAna's resources are under this description.A clear plan helps, but the real story begins when birth asks you to adapt. Anna joins us from Zurich to share how she chose motherhood on her own terms, navigated a heart-shaped uterus without panic, and prepared through hypnobirthing, swimming, yoga, and an English antenatal class at Triemli Stadtspital in Zurich city. What follows is a vivid, vulnerable account of labour: nausea between contractions, a walking epidural that brought crucial rest, and the moment where language clarity changed care.As pushing stretched on, meconium and decelerations raised the stakes. The team considered a surgical birth before using a kiwi vacuum to help her daughter arrive safely. Those first minutes were fleeting; NICU monitoring separated mother and baby, while Anna faced a retained placenta and an operation under general anesthesia. She wakes to the ache of a ventilated throat and a surge of doubt, then rebuilds confidence with compassionate midwives, pumping support, and steady skin-to-skin. Milk starts slow, then arrives in force at home, just as day-three hormones crash and cluster feeding rewrites the night.We talk practical truths and tender ones: why clear communication matters in a second language, how boundaries around visitors protect recovery, and what pelvic floor rehab can do for strength, continence, and a gradual return to running. Anna’s reflections land with weight—becoming a mother as a chance to redefine identity and model courage for her daughter. If you’re expecting, supporting a birth, or processing your own story, this conversation offers grounded guidance, emotional honesty, and a reminder that resilience grows in the grey areas.If this story resonates, follow Swiss Birth Stories, subscribe for more real-world birth insights, and leave a review to help others find us. Share this episode with someone who needs a compassionate, unvarnished look at birth and the postpartum journey.Ana's resources: Rückbildung & Yoga kurs: https://www.hebammenpraxis-zuerich.ch/standorteTrainer pre/postpartum: https://www.sportzonezuerich.ch/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailDiana's resources are below this description: What happens when labour quickly goes from quiet to unstoppable and the only “birth room” around has four doors and a meter running? We sit down with Diana, a Brazilian living in Zurich, to relive two unforgettable births: a swift, positive first delivery at Spital Zollikerberg in Zurich and a second that arrives in a taxi during rush hour- no midwives, no doctors, no time, just instinct and inspirational courage.We start with the ease of her first birth and the rare gift of a newborn who slept long stretches from night one. Then the scene changes: a surprise second pregnancy collides with early COVID restrictions, shifting hospital rules, and the logistics of caring for a toddler while working from a small apartment. Diana shares how she chose her care team and hospital based on continuity, NICU proximity, and realistic worst‑case planning- decisions that brought steadiness when everything else felt uncertain.The heart of the story is the taxi birth itself: contractions that spike in minutes, a neighbour (in his late 40s and childless) turned improvised birth partner, a driver with his own special birth story, and Diana putting a hand down to catch her own baby and arriving back in her body and senses at the perfect time. Once home, relief meets a new challenge as her newborn is monitored for gastrointestinal issues and her toddler battles salmonella. We talk about the hidden demands of postpartum in a pandemic, how a strict feeding schedule surprisingly boosted milk supply, and the emotional work of integrating a fast, intense birth. With a trauma‑informed midwife, Diana reframes the experience: intensity can still be healthy, and instinct under pressure is real strength. Along the way, we celebrate the unlikely bond with the taxi driver, the family rituals that keep the amazing story alive, and the deep connection that grew between two closely spaced siblings.If you love real birth stories, practical perinatal insights, and honest talk about resilience, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, leave a review to support the show, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that calm can live inside chaos.Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailSara is a researcher and doula in Zurich, her own website and her resources are below this description. What if the difference between a hard birth and a healing one was a few well-chosen words, a handful of choices and a team that truly listened? Sarah’s story spans two countries and two radically different experiences where she found her rhythm, her voice, and her power. Her first, an induction in Denmark marked by pressure toward an epidural that failed, and later, in Zurich, having to forgo her goal of giving birth at Delphy's Birth House, for an induced hospital water birth at Triempli Stadtspital. We walk through the real contrasts in maternity care. Denmark’s midwife-led approach offered continuity and calm, with minimal medicalisation. Switzerland provided more monitoring, options, and risk framing. Both helped in different ways, but the decisive factor was how supported Sarah felt. After a tough recovery the first time, including a third-degree tear and weeks of painful feeding before a tongue tie was found, she dove into preparation for her second: a birth house plan, a doula by her side, and tools like hypnobirthing, sophrology, breath counts, and a TENS unit. When her waters likely released and the clock started, she transferred to hospital and advocated clearly: no oral misoprostol, start with a midwife’s brew, then use a reversible oxytocin drip. An “angel midwife” kept the space safe. The oxytocin built, she stayed in rhythm, and the team filled a birth pool. With calm coaching to slow crowning, she birthed her son gently with no tearing.Sara's Resources:Why and how to use the TENS machineBlog post on TENSEpi-no device, to train and stretch the perineum, to prevent tears (a good alternative is perineal massage):Favorite international birth stories podcasts:- https://australianbirthstories.com/- https://www.thepositivebirthstorypodcast.com/hypnobirthing listening track and meditation/timer app for labor:Favorite and super knowledgeable IBCLC lactation consultants (in Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailAndrea's resources are below this description. A birth can change your life. Two births can change your map. Andrea, a teacher and author living in Lenzburg, opens up about a first labour that moved faster than anyone expected, a cramped exam room at Hirslanden Aargau standing in for a delivery suite, and the cascade that followed: retained placenta, agonising uterine compression, a major postpartum hemorrhage, and surgery during the height of pandemic restrictions. With her partner sent home and information scarce, recovery stretched into a week in hospital and months of fatigue, anxiety, rage, and insomnia. Therapy named postpartum depression. Bloodwork finally revealed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, connecting dots and restoring stability with the right medication.The second time, Andrea did more than hope; she prepared. Counselling helped process trauma. A clear plan flagged her prior PPH, requested the delivery suite, and lined up colostrum in case of separation. Her partner trained to advocate. Friends handled the midnight drive. Rest, snacks, an acupressure comb, and warm water carried her through. In the quiet between surges, she felt her son’s head, waited, and delivered him into her arms in a peaceful water birth. He surprised everyone at nearly 4.5 kilos, and the placenta followed smoothly out of the tub, with a blissful first latch to seal the moment.We talk about birth trauma in Switzerland, trauma-informed care, postpartum mental health, thyroid health after birth, building a real support network, and why postpartum rest is part of recovery, not a luxury. Andrea’s story is a reminder that healing doesn’t erase what happened; it gives you a new chapter to hold it with care.Loved this story? Subscribe, leave a review to help more parents find us, and share this episode with someone who needs a hopeful path back to birth.Andrea's resources: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51290494-why-did-no-one-tell-me-this - a book I found at the local Orell Füssli and was very glad I read! My husband even referred to it while I was in labour.https://www.youtube.com/c/BridgetTeyler - the one and only YouTube channel I used during pregnancy and postpartum.https://www.thenakeddoula.com/ - I found her visuals to be striking and memorable. The flashcards helped my husband and I prepare for the birth, and I also made my birth plan using her visuals.Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailLadina's resources are at the end of this description. Plans rarely survive contact with labour, and that’s exactly where this story shines. We sit down with Ladina, a Swiss parent who grew up in the US and Brazil, to trace two very different births at Triemli Stadtspital in Zurich—one long and medically complex, the next fast and grounded in simple tools and trust.We start with the first pregnancy and a nerve-wracking NIPT delay over the holidays that coloured the months that followed. Labour opened with back pain and slow dilation, a middle-of-the-night epidural for much-needed rest, and oxytocin to restart contractions. Doctors weighed a C-section as her baby’s heart rate dipped, then broke her waters to reassess. With clear communication and steady midwifery support, her team helped her continue toward a vaginal birth. Postpartum brought a hot, crowded ward, sleepless nights, and the classic “flirt weeks” that soon gave way to evening fussiness. Breastfeeding clicked early, freezer meals saved their sanity, and expectations reset as reality arrived.The second time, everything felt different. With a toddler at home, there was less anxiety and more trust in her body. A TENS machine became her secret weapon for back labour, letting her arrive at the hospital already seven centimetres dilated despite being two weeks past her due date. Induction was planned, then labour started on its own; she birthed without an epidural in a calm room with minimal staff. We dig into the Beleghebamme continuity-of-care model at Triemli, why it matters even when schedules don’t align, and how the right ally can keep options open without pressure.Family life after birth adds honest layers: preparing a firstborn with simple rituals, navigating rough affection and parental triggers, and handling weeks of illness that often trail big transitions. We explore sleep ups and downs, self-weaning when pregnancy changed milk, and a daughter who refused bottles at daycare, pushing Ladina to pump at work and leave early pickups. The big takeaway is practical and humane: some babies sleep, some don’t; tools like TENS, doulas, and continuity of care help; and confidence grows when we allow plans to change without losing our voice.If you care about natural birth, epidurals, induction, TENS in labour, breastfeeding, bottle refusal, sibling bonding, and Swiss maternity care, this story delivers grounded insight and real-world strategies. Subscribe for more birth stories and expert perspectives, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.Ladina's reLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailThis episode is a must listen for every pregnancy. Henar's story of finding answers, self-advocacy, hard work and tenacity, as well as leaning in when things went differently than planned holds lessons for everyone embarking on pregnancy and birth in Switzerland.Henar's resources are below this description:What happens when modern diabetes tech collides with decades‑old pregnancy protocols? We sit down with Henar, a Spain‑born mum in Switzerland living with Type 1 diabetes, who turned a “high‑risk” label into a plan rooted in data, calm choices, and unwavering self‑advocacy. From preconception A1C goals and fine‑tuning basals to balancing nutrition, exercise, and hormones, she shows how preparation can rewrite expectations without ignoring real risks.The cracks appear where many parents feel them most: care that’s split between specialists who rarely speak, blanket recommendations to induce at 38 weeks, and hospital assumptions about “big babies.” Henar walks us through bringing her endocrinologist and hospital team into one conversation, documenting individualised thresholds, and buying time for spontaneous labour. When her baby arrived malpositioned and pushing stalled, she chose an epidural, tried every repositioning strategy, and then moved into a caesarean that felt informed, respectful, and peaceful. The golden hour still happened. The love still crashed in to that operating room. You will not want to miss the description of her first few moments with her son.Postpartum, the story shifts to pain management gaps, anaemia, and the vital role of practical support. We dig into breastfeeding with Type 1 diabetes: why milk let‑down can drop blood sugar, how CGMs and pumps with low‑glucose suspend help at night, and the simple power of snacks within reach. We also explore returning to work, protecting pumping windows, and making a values‑based call on extended breastfeeding despite criticism. Along the way, we spotlight the real issue: a data lag that hasn’t caught up with continuous glucose monitoring, smarter pumps, and broader access that make tighter control possible.If you’re navigating pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers clear strategies, compassionate perspective, and a reminder that protocols are starting points, not destinies. If it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs encouragement today. Your notes and stories help this community get smarter and stronger.Henar's resources:Book: Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailJoanna is a small business owner living in Glarus with her family. She owns Moon and June, a non-alcoholic apertif made in Switzerland. Her resources are below this description. A decade can change everything. Joanna went from a fast-paced banking career and a midwife-led hospital birth in Poland to a slow, deliberate, deeply supported home water birth in the Swiss mountains—finding a new kind of confidence along the way. Her story threads through motherhood, blended family life, and the tension between authority and intuition, showing how respectful care and continuity with midwives can reshape not only labour but the whole arc of becoming a parent again.We walk through the first birth’s quiet triumphs and the subtle harms of the “clock”—that moment when protocols override pace. Then we shift to Switzerland, where an English-speaking midwife, a birth pool, and careful postpartum planning set a different tone. When Joanna’s longtime OB condemned home birth with fear-based warnings, she didn’t debate; she re-centred. With a low-risk pregnancy, a known midwife duo, and a registered transfer plan, she turned down the noise and trusted what felt right for her body and baby.The labour unfolds like a lesson in physiology and presence: waters leaking at home, a rainy walk, a Spike Lee movie, then the unmistakable climb. Warm water, skilled hands, and a steady voice—“You’re a strong woman”—help Joanna surrender to the urge to push. One surge, and her daughter is born into the pool. Postpartum shines too: daily midwife visits, an easy latch after past struggles, food prepped, visitors paused, and a blended family gently knitting together. The episode’s heartbeat is a simple metric of success: leaving birth more confident than when you began.If you care about home birth in Switzerland, midwife-led care, respectful maternity care, older motherhood, postpartum planning, or the realities of blended families, this is the story for you. Listen, share with a friend who needs a grounded perspective on birth choices, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a review to help more parents find their footing.- instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_k_perry/- website: https://www.moonandjune.ch/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailMaggie Wyss, PhD, is a researcher, writer, and international health expert exploring the intersection of gender, health, and society. Her work is centered on how women navigate complex decisions, particularly in pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Her resources are below this description:What if a twin cesarean could feel calm, connected, and even a little spiritual? We sit down with Maggie, a mom of three, to trace a full-term twin birth that began with a change of plans, unfolded with a warm, communicative medical team, and flowed into a gentle and intentional postpartum at a local birth house. From the moment her waters broke two days early to the first tandem feed in the recovery room, every step shows how informed care and human connection can transform a clinical setting into a safe, personal experience. She gave birth at Hirslanden Aarau and went to Terra Alta Birth House for the following few days.We walk through experiences like how a familiar obstetrician and attuned midwives reduced fear, and what it meant to have immediate skin-to-skin and breastfeeding support with healthy, full-term babies. Then we follow the shift from hospital to birth house, where home-like rooms, nourishing meals, and gentle support fostered rest and confidence. It’s a rare window into postpartum care in Switzerland that balances medical safety with autonomy and warmth.Maggie’s candid insights reach beyond birth. She explains feeding twins on different schedules, introducing bottles without losing the intimacy of nursing, and setting firm visitor boundaries when emotions run high. We talk safe co-sleeping with twins, planning real-life support that lasts months rather than days, and helping an older child adapt by anchoring routines with both parents. Her “most brilliant moment” isn’t a single snapshot but the ongoing reality of being the safe place where kids can crumble and recover—proof that calm isn’t the absence of chaos, but the presence of trust.If you’re exploring twin birth options, curious about cesarean experiences that feel humane, or seeking postpartum strategies that protect your energy, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and practical detail. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this story, and leave a review to help more families find empowering birth and postpartum care.Maggie's Resources:https://geburtshaus-terra-alta.ch/https://www.instagram.com/maggiewyss_/maggiewyss.com https://substack.cLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailKristina's resources are below this desriptionIf you’re craving a nuanced, practical take on birth, breastfeeding, and entrepreneurship/work- light on dogma, big on real-life problem-solving then this is the story for you. A long labour, a late epidural, and then the hardest part hits after birth: every latch feels like fire. When Kristina finally asks to stop, one midwife shames her- and another walks in with calm, options, and a plan that changes everything. That simple shift from pressure to partnership unlocks two years of breastfeeding and a new level of confidence.In this lovely episode, Kirstina takes you through her pandemic-era pregnancy in Switzerland, why she kept her bilingual daycares open for essential workers, and how trusting her care team helped her feel safe during a marathon birth (at Clinique de la Source in Lausanne). You’ll hear why she considered birth preferences with A, B, and C paths; how a silicone nipple shield, rest, and reassurance transformed feeding; and why boundaries matter in vulnerable moments. She shares the realities of returning to work on day seven postpartum, turning a lack of daycare spots into a creative weekly rhythm, and navigating a baby who refused every bottle and almost every formula. With a paediatrician’s guidance, yogurt and cup feeds bridged the daytime gap, while nights became a dance of compensating feeds and evolving sleep.We also dig into public breastfeeding in Switzerland, responding to judgement without losing yourself, and the surprising ease of weaning during a five-day trip when timing finally aligned. Kristina challenges common myths about “equal” night shifts and bottle-fed bonding, showing how attachment thrives when parents play to their strengths and stay responsive to the child in front of them. Thank you Kristina for sharing your story with us!If this conversation resonated, tap follow, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend who needs supportive, shame-free birth and feeding stories. Your feedback helps more parents find us and feel less alone.Kristina's Resources:Insta: @babina970 Website: www.babinakristina.com (here you can learn all about her diverse projects and businesses)FB: Kristina Babina Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailJosefina is a certified pre- and postnatal yoga teacher and a pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise specialist (PCES)  living in Appenzell, Switzerland. Her resources are at the end of this episode's description. The plan sounded elegant: move to Zurich, open a textile shop in August, welcome a baby in October. Then preeclampsia arrived without warning, and Josefina’s son was born at 29 weeks—840 grams of fierce life, tucked inside the NICU for 10 long weeks. What followed wasn’t a highlight reel. It was the honest, human middle: shame that the bond didn’t appear on cue, the grief of a birth rewritten, money stress that pushed her back to work while pumping at midnight, and a body that cried out with relentless migraines. Through it all, Josefina learned to separate fear from intuition, to ask for specific help, and to treat “self‑care” as essential infrastructure rather than a luxury.We walk with her from the operating room to the NICU bedside, through language barriers and well‑meaning but invalidating comments, to the moment she trusted her gut and noticed her son wasn’t quite right—then was proven right. That small win became a thread that stitched their connection. She shares how to set boundaries with professionals who forget adjusted age or escalate anxiety, why expat parents need a village on purpose, and how to plan postpartum support that actually matters: food, laundry, quiet company, and a doula who speaks your language. Along the way, she names the myths that hurt parents—“all that matters is healthy mom, healthy baby”; “bonding is instant”; “good mothers don’t ask for help”—and replaces them with kinder truths.Today, her once‑tiny preemie is tall, funny, and loud with song. Josefina is changing generational patterns by apologizing to her child, holding feelings instead of dismissing them, and modelling repair over perfection. If your path to parenthood bent in ways you never chose, this conversation offers steady ground: advocacy, realistic postpartum planning, and the reminder that a delayed bond is still a true bond. If it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share this story with someone who needs the courage to ask for help.Prenatal yoga series: https://resources.josefinayoga.com/balanced-before-birthHer Postpartum Plan: https://resources.josefinayoga.com/postpartum-planEasy self-care ideas for new moms: https://resources.josefinayoga.com/eaLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailGülkiz' resources are belowA wrong email address reshaped an entire birth story. We sat down with a scientist‑mum whose path wound from Berlin’s buzz to Zurich’s quiet trails, through months of trying to conceive, a surprise double‑line at dawn, and a chance discovery of a birth house (Geburtshaus Zollikerberg, in the Zurich, Switzerland area) that aligned with her values. What followed was a swift, deeply supported labour: hip squeezes practiced in class, affirmations in the bath at 1 a.m., a midwife’s steady calm when vomiting signalled progress, and a simple mirror that turned confusion into effective pushing. She cut the cord herself, sobbing with relief and power, then nested for two days while the team protected rest, food, and the golden hours.The fourth trimester told a different story. Low milk supply, jaundice, and weight charts pulled her into relentless pumping and anxiety until a hard pivot to combo feeding brought her baby back to comfort—and brought her back to herself. Then came a quiet miracle: a neighbour and colleague with oversupply left pumped milk in the mailbox three times a day; in return, our guest tucked snacks and fruit into hers. That small, daily exchange felt like rediscovering a village in the middle of a city, a reminder that donor milk, formula, and friendship can coexist to support a thriving baby and a steadier parent.We also wade into the tender parts most people avoid: how parental leave assumptions clash, why sleep deprivation can unravel even strong bonds, and what repair looks like when you’re still in the thick of it. Between early crawling, stop‑start workouts, and lingering illness, we talk honestly about postpartum depletion and the slow return of identity through help from her mum and the relief of adult conversation at work. If you’re curious about birth houses, hypnobirthing, partner roles in labour, donor milk, combo feeding, or simply how to build a real support system, this story delivers practical insight and hard‑won compassion.If this resonated, follow and subscribe for more Swiss birth stories of birth stories in Switzerland and expert guidance, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. We’d love to hear your thoughts—tag @SwissBirthStories or send us your story at SwissBirthStories.com.Resources: Birth House Zollikerberg, Birth House Zurich, Geburthaus Zollikerberg: https://geburtshaus-zollikerberg.ch/Lilybee prenatal course: https://www.lilybee.ch/antenatal-classes/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailJohanna's resources (including her website and new podcast) are below this descriptionThe journey to motherhood transforms us in ways we never expect. For Joanna, an Australian expat living in Switzerland, what began as a dream-come-true pregnancy turned into a birth story filled with unexpected twists – from her water breaking in the bath to a husband who wouldn't answer his phone (and was immediately presumed dead), a taxi driver who got lost en route to the hospital, and ultimately, a challenging posterior labor that demanded everything she had. She gave birth at Paracelsus, a unique hospital in Richterswil which unfortunately no longer exists. This is another example of smaller hospitals with birthing capabilities having to close their doors. Though her birth experience was difficult, it was also profoundly empowering. Joanna vividly recalls the ethereal moment during transition when she felt connected to generations of women throughout history: "I had this awareness that I am this woman doing this thing that women have done for all eternity." With the encouragement of a compassionate Australian midwife who reminded her of her strength, she found the power to bring her baby into the world.But the real challenges began after birth. Despite her lifelong dream of breastfeeding, Joanna encountered devastating difficulties that were met with insufficient support and harmful messaging about her anxiety being the cause. For six months, she never got more than 45 consecutive minutes of sleep while trapped in an exhausting cycle of feeding, pumping, and supplementing. Years later, she discovered the true cause wasn't her "personality flaws" but her babies' tongue restrictions – a revelation that completely transformed her understanding of her experience.This discovery sparked Joanna's journey to become a lactation consultant, now dedicating her life to ensuring no mother endures what she went through. "It wasn't my fault at all," she shares, challenging the narrative that blames mothers for breastfeeding struggles. Her story reminds us that birth is just the beginning of a profound transformation, and that with proper support and understanding, we can rewrite the narrative of early motherhood for ourselves and others.Have you faced similar challenges? Share your experience or reach out if you're struggling – support makes all the difference in this transformative journey.Johanna's resources: https://milkandmotherhood.com/@milkandmotherhoodhttps://www.thelatchrevolution.com/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailMarie's resources are available at the end of this description- including a discount for her online prenatal yoga series!What happens when careful preparation meets the unpredictable reality of childbirth? Marie, an American yoga and fitness instructor living in Switzerland, takes us on her journey from visualization to adaptation as she welcomes her daughter at Spital Lachen in Canton Schwyz.Marie's story begins with perfect timing. A five-week yoga teacher training in Bali while her Swiss husband was deployed, creating ideal conditions for her body to be "ready to receive" when they reunited. After experiencing a chemical pregnancy months earlier, Marie approached conception with intentionality, even manifesting a dream of a positive pregnancy test the very morning she discovered she was pregnant.Drawing on her decade of yoga experience, Marie navigated pregnancy by deeply listening to her body's changing needs. "Movement was still prioritized," she explains, "it just started to look really different." From first-trimester naps between teaching classes to modified third-trimester practices when pelvic pain limited her mobility, Marie embodied the balance between activity and rest. This wisdom inspired her to create "Empowered Pregnancy," a series of accessible yoga videos for expectant mothers.Though Marie had visualized a peaceful water birth, her actual delivery required quick adaptation when her baby's heart rate began dropping during contractions. The medical team discovered her umbilical cord was unusually short, necessitating a vacuum-assisted birth. "My biggest fears going into labor were having to have a C-section, getting cut, and the epidural needle," Marie shares candidly. "And I experienced two out of the three." Yet through breathing techniques learned in hypnobirthing and her husband's steady presence, she remained grounded even as plans changed.The most profound insight from Marie's journey comes from the yogic concept of "sankalpa"—a heartfelt intention stated as if already true. For months before conceiving, she affirmed "I am a mom" during meditations. "I feel like I spoke that into existence," she reflects, tears welling up. "What we truly desire desires us too... It doesn't always look the way that we think it will, but it always turns out better than we would have imagined."Marie's Resources:Follow her on social media: @swipedbyaswissEmpowered Pregnancy: A prenatalLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailDanielle's resources are below this descriptionWhat happens when your carefully planned birth center delivery takes an unexpected turn? Danielle's journey from New York to Switzerland, and from birth house to hospital and back again, offers powerful lessons in resilience, informed decision-making, and finding peace when birth plans change.Moving to Switzerland while pregnant after a long-distance relationship with her Swiss husband, Danielle set her sights on delivering at Delphy's birth house in Zurich. The birth center represented the perfect middle ground between her dream of a home birth and her husband's preference for a hospital. But when her water broke and labor stalled, midwives suspected her baby wasn't in an ideal position, leading to a transfer to Triemli Hospital.There, Danielle discovered her daughter was in the challenging "stargazer" position—head down but face up. Despite medical recommendations for a cesarean, she advocated to continue with a vaginal birth a little longer. After a marathon labor spanning multiple days, she delivered her daughter, though the experience left her feeling both triumphant and somewhat defeated that her birth center plan hadn't materialized.For her second pregnancy, Danielle returned to Delphy's with confidence gained from her first experience. This time, she enjoyed a peaceful water birth followed by four blissful days of postpartum care at the birth center—something she missed with her first delivery. She describes this postpartum period as "like a retreat" with dedicated midwives, chef-prepared meals, and precious time to bond with her newborn while her husband cared for their toddler.Throughout both experiences, Danielle learned valuable lessons about standing her ground, being informed about all possibilities, and prioritizing postpartum recovery. Her story highlights how the Swiss maternity system offers integrated options where families can access both medical intervention when needed and gentle, supportive care throughout the childbearing year.Have you considered a birth center for your delivery or postpartum stay? Even if you plan a hospital birth, Swiss birth houses welcome families for recovery afterward—a lesser-known option that's fully covered by insurance and offers exceptional support during those precious first days.Danielle's resources: Instagram: @littlelambsleepconsultingFacebook: Little Lamb Sleep Consulting Website: www.littlelambsleep.comEmail: [email protected] to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailSonja's resources are below this descriptionWhen an ultrasound technician uttered the words "his neck is sick" during a routine 12-week scan, Sonia's world tilted on its axis. What should have been a joyful glimpse at her second baby instead launched her family into a medical odyssey that would test their resilience, challenge their beliefs, and ultimately change the landscape of treatment for an incurable disease.Sonia's story isn't just about giving birth in Switzerland (she gave birth at HUG in Geneva)—it's about the extraordinary measures a mother will take when faced with a devastating diagnosis. At 22 weeks pregnant, after a high nuchal translucency measurement led to deeper genetic testing (the story to get there is incredible in it's own), Sonia learned her unborn son had cystic fibrosis. With her first child just 10 months old and no family history of CF, the news was shattering. Faced with the impossible choice between termination and continuing a pregnancy that promised hardship, Sonia did what few would have the courage to do—she questioned everything.What follows is nothing short of remarkable. Through relentless research, Sonia discovered Trikafta, an expensive, unapproved treatment that might help her son even before birth. She connected with researchers worldwide, joined tiny online support groups, and eventually sourced the medication through a CF patient halfway across the globe. Becoming only the eighth woman worldwide known to take this medication during pregnancy, she watched in awe as her son's previously invisible gallbladder appeared on ultrasound three weeks later—proof the medicine was working.Despite placenta previa, multiple hospitalizations, and an emergency C-section at 35 weeks, Seth was born fighting. Though separated from him for twelve agonizing hours after birth (prompting a fierce confrontation where she told hospital staff "I am fucking going now"), Sonia's determination never wavered. Today at 20 months old, Seth exhibits none of the devastating symptoms typically associated with CF—no digestive issues, no lung problems, and remarkably, he'll be fertile, something previously impossible for males with CF.This extraordinary journey showcases the power of maternal intuition, medical advocacy, and the courage to challenge established protocols. Through sharing her experience, Sonia has helped approximately 30 other babies worldwide access life-changing treatment. Her message is clear: trust your instincts, do your research, and never stop fighting for your child's future.Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is a rare inherited disease that affLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailClare's resources are below, after this description. Clare shares her story of giving birth to her second child in Switzerland after moving from the UK, highlighting the differences between birth systems and the beauty of sibling relationships. Her marathon 67-hour labor culminated in a water birth at Hôpital de Morges after her initial birthing center plans changed.• Moved to Switzerland 20 years ago with husband and 7-week-old son Max, who is now in his final year of apprenticeship • Planned for a birth center birth with her second child (born in 2010). She doesn't look back on her first birth negativley, just desired more control and autonomy in her second birth experience. • Hired a doula for language support and advocacy in the Swiss healthcare system, which was less common then. • Labored at home for nearly two days before transferring to the hospital• Complete pause in contractions after decision to transfer to hospital, augmentation of labour (synthetic oxytocin after this pause in labour)• Clare gives birth to her daughter in water- even after such a long labour and with augmentaion• Co-sleeping encouraged by the progressive hospital approach• Son Max's touching gesture of offering his prized Scooby-Doo Croc to his newborn sister• Breastfed first child for 9 months but second for over 3 years• Found valuable postpartum support through midwife visits and community centers If you enjoyed this story, please subscribe to our podcast and share it with friends who might benefit from hearing these birth experiences.Visit and learn about Clare's craft space: https://www.thecrafthouse.ch/ where she organizes lessons, camps, and projects for kids, as well as retreats and lessons for adults. Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailSimone's resources below Simone shares her remarkable journey of giving birth to her two sons in two different countries (the Netherlands and Switzerland), revealing how cultural and systemic differences profoundly shape the birth experience beyond just the physical process.• Born and raised in Amsterdam before relocating to Switzerland with her family• First pregnancy transformed from planned birth center delivery to unexpected home birth in the Netherlands • Second pregnancy culminated in a planned home birth in Switzerland• Used hypnobirthing techniques for both births which helped manage pain• First birth required a mental shift from resistance to surrender which transformed pain perception• Second birth was quicker, more primal, and required different coping strategies• Noticed significant differences between Dutch midwife-led system and Swiss more medicalized approach• Learned to trust her body and ask questions when confronted with different medical recommendations• Found second-time motherhood more relaxed, with less need for strict schedules• Experienced postpartum care differently in each country, with different emphasis and support types• The most brilliant part of motherhood has been discovering inner strength and reconnecting with her bodyRemember that birth is your time to shine. You can do this!Simone hosts mother's circles in Uster, ZH, you can find out more information here: https://www.salonduyoga.ch/workshops/ Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailSee Veronica's resources under this descriptionVeronica shares her journey of giving birth in the midwifery led program at Stadtspital Triemli in Zurich, including a "dream birth" and a surgical repair of a third-degree tear caused by her baby's "saluting hand" position during delivery. Through her story, we explore how careful preparation, a positive mindset, and strong support systems helped her navigate both the beautiful and challenging aspects of childbirth.• Moving from Italy to Switzerland 6.5 years ago and deciding to start a family in 2023• Experiencing a generally positive pregnancy with thorough preparation including birth courses, midwife meetings, and extensive reading• Choosing Triemli Hospital for its English-speaking staff, location, and respect for birth preferences• Going 9 days past her due date and trying various natural induction methods• Laboring at home for several hours before going to the hospital around midnight• Finding relief in a warm bath during active labor where she laboured till she was 10cm dilated• Pushing for 1 hour 40 minutes with midwife-led support• Experiencing an unexpected third-degree tear requiring surgical repair under general anesthesia• Managing postpartum recovery with support from her husband and postpartum midwife• Overcoming initial breastfeeding challenges due to blood loss• Finding a profound bond with her baby on the second nightFollow Swiss Birth Stories on social media and share your thoughts, questions and birth stories by DMing us or filling out the form on our website at swissbirthstories.com.Her resources:Built to Birth (youtube account) The Positive Birth Book by Milli HillLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailAgata, mother of five children, shares her experiences of pregnancy and giving birth at Hirslanden Hospital in Zurich with remarkable honesty, self-awareness, and optimism.• Originally from Russia, Agata met her German husband in the UK before settling in Zurich in 2011• Always wanted a large family- had her first three children in less than three years, followed by her fourth and fifth• Learned to listen to her body during pregnancy, which helped heal her relationship with food• Experienced different labor signs with each pregnancy, contractions for most births, but her water broke with her fourth• Discovered the importance of being relaxed during labor, finding that enemas helped her mentally prepare and relax• First birth lasted about 10 hours, while subsequent births became progressively faster• Fifth birth was transformative as she learned to "give space to pain" rather than resisting it• Had water births for her fourth and fifth children, finding the experience gentler for both herself and baby• Found her unplanned fifth pregnancy reconnected her with singing and creativity• Now makes music, recording five songs while pregnant with her fifth child, more available on Spotify. She also leads a mother's group called Mama Star (information below)• Connects birth experiences to a life philosophy: when we stop resisting and allow natural processes to unfold, everything flows more smoothlyAgata's resources:Star - https://bnd.lc/j6wEwLove You Always - https://bnd.lc/loveyoualwaysOne can find links to various streaming platforms here: https://www.agatastapelfeldt.com/musicI also would like to share that I've started a community for mums-entrepreneurs - Mama Star- One can join by contacting me via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/agata_stapelfeldt/ or via my website https://www.agatastapelfeldt.com/contactCheck out Agata's music on Spotify, including "Love You Always," a beautiful song about motherhood featured at the end of this episode.Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailKarina shares her empowering unmedicated birth experience at Hirslanden Clinic in Zurich, where she welcomed her daughter Amalia Luna after navigating nine months of severe pregnancy nausea.• First-time mother from Poland partnered with a Swiss father• Endured persistent nausea throughout pregnancy that only subsided in the last trimester• Prepared thoroughly for birth with meditation, environmental cues, birthing ball exercises, and ice cube practice• Chose hospital birth for consistency despite considering birth center options• Used TENS machine and hip squeezes from her partner and doula (our lovely co-host Christine) for pain management• Arrived at hospital already 6cm dilated after laboring at home• Found the hospital triage with bright lights and monitoring challenging• Experienced the pushing phase as equally intense as contractions• Describes birth as "animalistic" and "liberating" as she vocalized through the experience• Appreciated the support voices around her saying "you can do this"• Surprised by the physical recovery needed after natural birth• Found breastfeeding challenging but persevered through nipple shield use for three months• Discovered her baby had a spirited temperament from day one• Considers birth the most empowering experience of her lifeLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailBelén's resources are below this description. Belén shares her empowering birth journey from Argentina to Switzerland, demonstrating how informed choices and self-advocacy created a positive experience even when her birth plan changed. Her story highlights the importance of preparation, language accessibility, and strong postpartum support across continents.• Originally from Argentina, fell in love with a Swiss man while traveling• Prepared her body for pregnancy by tracking cycles, training her body and focusing on nutrition• Thoroughly researched Swiss birth options before choosing Burgdorf Birth Center (in the Spital Emmental network)• Labored in the birth center using movement, water, and music for comfort• Transferred to adjacent hospital for epidural when labor became challenging, described the ease in this transfer as the institutions are separated by corridor and reflects on this choice with a lot of introspection• Successfully advocated for space and time to try natural methods to help baby descend before interventions• Delivered baby Milo, who was in an unusual position as he had his hand up by his face, with vacuum assistance after respectful discussions with providers• Experienced excellent language support with all providers communicating in English• Received comprehensive postpartum care from visiting midwives and family• Spent three months in Argentina with her newborn surrounded by family support• Found the most beautiful moments in the quiet nighttime connections with her babyDon't forget to rate, review, and share this podcast to help our community grow! Follow us on social media @SwissBirthStories for resources and updates on upcoming guests and events.Belèn's resources:Doula & placenta medicine and more https://www.instagram.com/wise_woman_maternity_?igsh=MWs1MTVtdHc1Z2QwYQ==Doula & pre and post birth courses & stillen berater from La leche league https://www.instagram.com/nacer.suiza?igsh=NWg3a2E0NHBhMm91Geburtshaus Emmental https://geburtshaus.spital-emmental.chInstagram: @happy.day.bumps.babes.beyondLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailAshley's comprehensive resources are below this description. Ashley shares her remarkable journey through IVF, international moves, and a picture perfect birth which she was encouraged to share. Her story demonstrates how resilience, support networks, and finding peace in unexpected circumstances can create beautiful pregnancy and birth experiences despite complex logistics.• Started trying to conceive naturally before turning to IVF after a year• Completed two rounds of IVF with traditional Chinese medicine support• First son conceived during second fresh IVF cycle • Moved internationally while five months pregnant when husband took job in England• Gave birth standing up at Bethesda Hospital in Basel with doula support• Her first birth was "exceptional" and "picture perfect" according to her, her midwife and doula and she was encouraged to share this story• Moved to England with two-month-old baby to begin new chapter as family of three• Underwent three failed embryo transfers during COVID summer• Successfully conceived second child through complex coordination between Switzerland and England• Second birth more challenging due to baby's position, requiring an epidural• Navigated postpartum periods with family support while managing international transitions• Made conscious decision about remaining embryos, hoping to help another family• Emphasizes importance of community support throughout fertility and birth journeysIf you're going through infertility or birth preparation and would like to connect, Ashley is available to support others on similar journeys. Reach out through the contact details in our show notes.As a people professional, coach and educated psychologist, Ashley uses a solution and strengths-focused approach based in positive psychology to support working parents and anyone confronted with fertility issues. Find her on LinkedIn to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eU22zWtH'https://www.kinderwunsch.ch/ - comprehensive fertility resource in Switzerland, particularly this pagehttps://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ - UK basedhttps://resolve.org/ - US based https://fertilitysupport.org.au/ - Australian basedlink for working professionals in CH: Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailRossana's resources are below this description.The ultimate plan-maker meets the ultimate plan-changer: motherhood. Rosanna's journey reveals what happens when our carefully crafted expectations collide with the unpredictable reality of bringing life into the world. Rosanna shares her powerful journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, revealing how she learned to flow when her carefully made plans took unexpected turns. Her birth took place at the Zollikerberg Birth Centre and Spital Zollikerberg.• Originally from Italy and living in Switzerland for 10 years• Works as an HR manager, motherhood coach and co-owns a yoga and meditation studio• Experienced unexpected challenges during conception despite having meticulously planned timing• Enjoyed a peaceful pregnancy but struggled with the fear of birth in the final weeks• Went nearly two weeks over her estimated due date and tried everything to naturally induce labor• Planned for a birth centre delivery but ended up transferring to the hospital• Found unexpected peace and surrender during birth despite it not matching her original plan• Faced significant breastfeeding challenges that weren't properly diagnosed for EIGHT months, once she found the right lactation consultant• Advocating for more comprehensive preparation around breastfeeding and postpartum• Still breastfeeding her daughter at 10 months after persevering through extreme difficulties• Discovered that motherhood, despite its challenges, brings daily moments of connection and joy that make it all worthwhileConnect with us at swissbirthstories.com or on Instagram @swissbirthstories to share your thoughts and experiences.Rossana's resources: Elevate website www.elevate-studio.ch instagram: @elevate_studio_zurichhttp://onerisingsoul.com Her private website is where Rossana focuses on 1:1 coaching for mothers instagram:  @coachingmothersHypnobirthing course: Happy Day Hypnobirthing Meal deliery:Mamasmeals Switzerand Lactation Consultant: https://milkandmotherhood.com/The Zollikerberg Hospital:https://spitalzollikerberg.ch/en/specialist-areas/obstLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailDelia's resources are below this description.Delia shares her four powerful home birth stories that began when she was a young midwife trainee who discovered her pregnancy at 26 weeks. From catching each baby in her own hands to navigating birth as a young student, her stories exemplify trusting intuition and creating empowered experiences.• Serendipitously discovering Ina May Gaskin's "Spiritual Midwifery" as a midwifery student and how that awakened her trust in physiological birth• Working in the hospital during pregnancy as a trainee midwife and witnessing interventions that reinforced her desire for homebirth• Experiencing pain-free birth by focusing on breath, trust and staying in the flow during labor and how this experience is possible for everyone• Facing and moving through fear before and during birth• Catching all her babies in her own hands• Breastfeeding successfully despite being told by her family that she wouldn't be able to nurse• Using instinctive knowledge during her second birth when she asked for a passionate kiss to relax her body• Trusting her intuition• Breaking away from her family's birth culture where all births were cesareans and breastfeeding wasn't practicedDelia's resources: Her website with detailed birth stories, information on her birth preparation coaching, home birth and more (in German, if you want to reach out in English, send her an email): https://www.deliabaechler.com/Instagram: @genussgeburtTiktok: @genussgeburtDelia's book: GEBURT - SCHMERZFREI UND ENTSPANNThttps://geburtschmerzfreiundentspannt.com/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailResources from Mihaela under this descriptionMihaela shares her empowering breech birth story, defying medical expectations through tenacity and informed decision-making to deliver her daughter naturally at Hirslanden Clinic in Aarau, Switzerland.• First-time mother determined to have a natural birth despite baby being in breech position• Used hypnobirthing techniques to prepare mentally and emotionally with her partner• Faced significant pressure from medical professionals to have a scheduled cesarean birth• Found a supportive doctor willing to support natural breech birth after changing providers multiple times• Experienced a surprisingly fast six-hour labor despite being a first-time mom with a breech baby• Baby was born naturally with her hand up alongside her face in the breech position• Learned from an acupuncturist that "breech babies usually stay like that because they want to be close to the mom's heart"• Advocates for women to be drivers of their birth experience through education and preparation• Describes the birth as transformative and empowering, creating a new birth legacy for her daughter• Emphasizes the importance of finding the right care provider who respects informed choiceNever give up and try to find the best place for you to give birth on your terms and never on others' terms.Resources:0. Julia’s hypnobirthing course (www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch) and Katharine Graves’s resources (book, instagram, free resources on her website  - https://www.kghypnobirthing.com/hypnobirthing-free-resources)1. Herr Wenhua Zhang from TCM Stadelhofen (Zurich): expert at breech accupuncture and moxibustion2. Dr. Müller Astrid - The Webster Technique ( chiropractic method recommended by spinning babies for pelvic alignment during pregnancy and breech positioning )3. Susann Brun - Hebamme services (from Delphys Geburtshaus in Zurich) and her course of birth preparation through swimming exercises and water 4. Hirslanden Klinik Aarau https://www.hirslanden.ch/de/hirslanden-klinik-aarau/5. The most important one: Dr med W. Stadlmayr- Geburt und Familie Aarau ( as you can see the reviews are incredible) https://g.co/kgs/H6TgcPFLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailResources follow this summaryEllie shares her journey of giving birth twice at the University Hospital in Zurich, exploring both the emotional challenges of pregnancy and the profound differences between her two birth experiences. Through her story, she highlights the importance of advocating for yourself during labor and recognizing that babies arrive with their own unique personalities from day one.There are a few gorgeous moments in this podcast where you can hear her little one snuggling in for a feed. We kept these moments in as it is simply real and true to the experience of interviewing Elli, which was a total delight. • Moving to Switzerland shortly before starting a family• Experiencing physically easy pregnancies while struggling with the psychological aspects• Being induced 9-10 days past estimated due date for both pregnancies• First birth involving an epidural and the "cascade of interventions"• Second birth progressing to intense, unmedicated labor within hours• Advocating against an episiotomy during second birth without prior consent• Insights on the Swiss postpartum care system• Realizing her two children had completely different personalities from birth, and learning how to parent such different children• The valuable midwife advice: "If it works for you, then it's okay"• Finding perspective with her second child that everything is just a phaseHere are the resources from Elli's podcast:Instagram:@[email protected]@BadassmotherbirtherPodcasts:Informed pregnancy podcast and informed pregnancy plus (to watch birth movies) The birth hourEvidence based birth Makes milk with Emma PickettExternal:Christine Bliven- baby wearing!Meal train- get your friends to bring you dinner :)Pelvic floor training Baby massage to meet other moms!Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailMona, mother to three "little female dragons" - now aged 21, 16, and 7, shares her journey of three planned cesarean births in Bethesda and Kantonsp. Mona's uterus is uniquely shaped, which prevented her babies from turning naturally into the optimal birthing position. She shares how the path to planned cesarean birth did not change anything about her mothering and how they were positive experiences. • Initially disappointed about needing a cesarean for her first birth after picturing and preparing for a natural delivery, having to process this shift in preparation• Advocating for immediate skin-to-skin contact with her children after discovering it wasn't automatic with cesarean birth• Appreciating the predictability and faster recovery of planned cesarean births• Experiencing labor contractions after she went into spontaneous labour for the first time when her third daughter decided to arrive a day before her scheduled cesarean• Receiving excellent postpartum support from Switzerland's postpartum midwife and family services systems• Breastfeeding all three daughters for two years• Dealing with her partner's gender disappointment and subsequent experiencing depression after her second birth and seeking professional help• Finding her most precious moments in the quiet hospital time alone with each newbornLink to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich

Send us Fan MailResources mentioned in this episode at the bottom of this summaryDipal shares her powerful birth experiences in India and Switzerland, highlighting cultural differences between healthcare systems while navigating a bilateral clubfoot diagnosis during her second pregnancy. Through both births, she demonstrates how preparation, knowledge, and supportive care providers created empowering experiences despite differing approaches to maternal autonomy and birth practices.• First birth in Bangalore, India where episiotomies are routine, fathers are not there for the birth and birth plans are uncommon• Finding a doctor who supported her in having the birth she wanted• Using preparation, visualization, breathing techniques, and knowledge to prepare for labor• Husband's active involvement breaking from Indian tradition where men aren't typically present during birth and infancy• Bilateral clubfoot diagnosis at 16 weeks during second pregnancy in Switzerland• Swiss healthcare providers demonstrating respect for patient autonomy and body autonomy• Different communication styles between Indian doctors (personal, accessible via WhatsApp) and Swiss doctors (more formal but respectful)• Successful treatment journey for bilateral clubfoot after birth• Finding strength in supportive healthcare providers who used humor and encouragement during labor• Managing postpartum with limited family support in a new countryYou can visit her informative blog and social media here: www.dipalsblog.wordpress.comhttps://www.instagram.com/dipalpatel18/Link to the Blooming Beyond Birth summitThis FREE, online event taking place May 4th-7th 2026 will help you prepare for postpartum with practical strategies, expert guidance, and self-care tools that leave you feeling supported and confident in the early days of motherhood. Join Christine and Julia and many other amazing experts during this summit.Support the showPlease connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-storiesAll episodes: https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.comBe a guest on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT5vU_CFCMszaXOLtFcy_Tz6Kf2Sp08NAbM9Hq2Tbz4mthbQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101116351783345578092Our websites:www.swissbirthstories.comwww.juliathedoula.chwww.lilybee.chInstagram:@[email protected]@lilybeezurich