Sonja's resources are below this description

When 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 affects about 1 in 3,300 newborns in Switzerland - around 1,000 people nationwide and more than 105,000 worldwide. 

CF makes mucus, sweat and digestive fluids thick and sticky, clogging vital organs like the lungs and pancreas.

Once a childhood killer, CF is now a condition where many children born today are expected to live into their 60s. New treatments may push life expectancy even further and research continues to work towards a hopeful cure.

Read more about Seth's story: https://www.instagram.com/cf_mama_on_trikafta/

Have you faced a challengi

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

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Clare'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. 

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

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www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

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Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Simone'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 body

Remember 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/ 

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

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Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

See Veronica's resources under this description

Veronica 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 night

Follow 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 Hill

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

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Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Agata, 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 smoothly

Agata's resources:

Star - https://bnd.lc/j6wEw

Love You Always - https://bnd.lc/loveyoualways

One can find links to various streaming platforms here: https://www.agatastapelfeldt.com/music

I 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/contact

Check out Agata's music on Spotify, including "Love You Always," a beautiful song about motherhood featured at the end of this episode.

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.com

Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Karina 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 life

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.com

Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Belén'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 baby

Don'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=NWg3a2E0NHBhMm91

Geburtshaus Emmental
https://geburtshaus.spital-emmental.ch

Instagram: 
@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.com

Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Ashley'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 journeys

If 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 page
• https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ - UK based
• https://resolve.org/ - US based 
• https://fertilitysupport.org.au/ - Australian based
• link for working professionals in CH: https://familyforward.ch/en/#available-resources
• https://www.fertility.ch/en/

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.com

Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Rossana'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 worthwhile

Connect 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_zurich

http://onerisingsoul.com Her private website is where Rossana focuses on 1:1 coaching for mothers instagram:  @coachingmothers

Hypnobirthing course: 

Happy Day Hypnobirthing 

Meal deliery:

Mamasmeals Switzerand 

Lactation Consultant: 

https://milkandmotherhood.com/

The Zollikerberg Hospital:

https://spitalzollikerberg.ch/en/specialist-areas/obstetrics

And the Zollikerberg Birth center:

https://geburtshaus-zollikerberg.ch/en/ and Delphys birth centre
https://www.delphys.ch

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.com

Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/

Delia'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 practiced

Delia'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: 

@genussgeburt

Tiktok: 

@genussgeburt

Delia's book: GEBURT - SCHMERZFREI UND ENTSPANNT

https://geburtschmerzfreiundentspannt.com/

Please connect with us! See below for how to contact and interact with us:

To share your story: https://www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch/swiss-birth-stories

All episodes:

https://swissbirthstories.buzzsprout.com

Our websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.happydayhypnobirthing.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@happy.day.bumps.babes.beyond

@lilybeezurich

Tiktok:

@swissbirthstories

Substack:

https://julianeale.substack.com/