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Johanna's resources (including her website and new podcast) are below this description

The 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/

@milkandmotherhood

https://www.thelatchrevolution.com/

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

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Marie'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: @swipedbyaswiss

Empowered Pregnancy: A prenatal yoga series. This is the yoga series that I filmed during pregnancy and hope to help other pregnant women feel empowered in moving their bodies throughout pregnancy. 5chf off to your listeners using code SWISSBIRTH in the Twint message.

Physio mentioned in the episode: Sara Polo IG @saramphysio.ch

Marie's birth playlists (click for spotify link): 1 and

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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Danielle's resources are below this description

What 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: @littlelambsleepconsulting

Facebook: Little Lamb Sleep Consulting 

Website: www.littlelambsleep.com

Email: [email protected]

Delphy's birth centre (in Zurich) website: 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

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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:

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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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:

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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/