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Josefina 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-birth

Her Postpartum Plan: https://resources.josefinayoga.com/postpartum-plan

Easy self-care ideas for new moms: https://resources.josefinayoga.com/easy-self-care-ideas

Her free resources: https://josefinayoga.com/free-resources/

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Gülkiz' resources are below

A 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/

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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/

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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:

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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: info@littlelambsleep.com

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:

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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:

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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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@lilybeezurich

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@swissbirthstories

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