Swiss Birth Stories
Our mission is to share diverse birth stories from across Switzerland in a way that empowers the storyteller. We aim to create a supportive space where each person is in control of their own narrative. By recording and sharing birth stories in Switzerland, we hope to inspire those planning their own birth, offer insights for birth workers, or allow listeners to reflect on their own birth experiences. Tune in to hear real, personal, raw birth stories. Available on all major podcast platforms. This podcast is in seasons; during an active season, episodes will be released weekly.
Swiss Birth Stories
Mihaela- breech birth: Positive, self-determined and empowering breech birth experience.
Resources from Mihaela under this description
Mihaela 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 choice
Never 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 moxibustion
2. 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/H6TgcPF
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Hi, welcome to Swiss Birth Stories. I'm Julia Neal, mother, perinatal educator, hypnobirthing coach and trainee doula.
Speaker 2:And I'm Christina Bliven. I'm a doula, baby-wearing consultant, childbirth educator and mother of three.
Speaker 1:Today we are talking with Mihaela who, through her own tenacity, self-advocacy and self-described stubbornness, gave birth to her daughter, who is in the breech position at Hislanden Clinic, aarau. This story is surprising and perhaps in many unexpected ways is surprising and perhaps in many unexpected ways, mihaela made the impossible possible. Stay tuned, you're going to want to hear this amazing story. Hi, Mihaela, it's so wonderful to have you as a guest on our podcast today.
Speaker 3:Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family? Hi, julia, it's so nice to be here. I'm actually very, very happy to be able to share my birth story and my experiences, and it's just wonderful to be able to catch up again because we've met before before the birth. You know me so well, you know a bit the oh, the story already and um. It's wonderful to be able to get into details, the juicy details and um and um. It's a great opportunity for me to to maybe share my experience with other women who might need this. My birth was quite empowering for me as a woman it was. I have a husband and I just gave birth to a baby girl last year in October. My family is quite small for now, but hopefully it will enlarge at some point in the future.
Speaker 3:I come from Eastern Europe. I've been in Switzerland for around two years two years and a bit so I'm quite new here. I'm an expat. I'm sure a lot of other moms are going through this as well, either new or not so new in Switzerland. It's still difficult sometimes and it's very challenging to navigate a new system. Having a baby in a new country was, I think, by far the most challenging thing I've ever experienced.
Speaker 3:It was interesting to be able to connect with other moms as well that are from other cultures, to be able to understand how this system works and what are the expectations, let's say, from a Swiss mom or a Swiss expat mom in this country, because it's quite different from what I've been used to in my country and maybe I will elaborate on that later in in our conversation. It will be. It would be interesting to discuss that as well. But, um, yeah, apart from that, um, I'm a new mom and um, I'm um thrilled to go on to discover, you know, this connection with my, with my new family, because it's so, so different to be a mom versus a wife, versus just um, in a relationship. It's different expectations, a different reality, completely.
Speaker 2:So, um, it's a journey can I ask me how did you prepare during pregnancy, like what? What did you do to prepare for birth, postpartum?
Speaker 3:yeah, so it was, uh, quite all right. First of all, um, I discussed a bit with a friend who recently gave birth and she said you know, you have to prepare Like it's a must. You have to prepare. If you want a positive birth, you have to prepare birth.
Speaker 3:Um, I had required a lot of work with myself, with my limit belief, limiting beliefs, and with, um, what I thought about what a birthing process looks like. What I did I was googling and trying to find um the best course or best thing that can help me prepare mentally, emotionally, for, for, for a natural birth. I really wanted to have a natural birth and, um, I put that in my mind and I tried to find solutions. And the first thing that came, it was Julia with her hypnobirthing course, and I'm so glad I did that. It was such a good experience to be able to prepare with my partner. So I wasn't alone. I was preparing with my partner to be able to get into this experience of becoming parents together, to be able to get into this experience of becoming parents together, and we did like I think it was a weekend course twice. It was like that, julia, I think.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it was I think two Saturdays or two Sundays, something like that, yeah it was quite intense actually, because you know, being pregnant it's, you know, the hormones being tired all the time. It was quite challenging even to be able to sit there and concentrate, but it was so worth it because I was able to think about what I want when it comes to my birth and to be able to filter the noise, the outside noise let's say what things? What? What were the things I knew about births and what I actually um discovered that I actually wanted for me and for my baby and for my partner during this birth. Um, it was super, super nice to see that actually, I was very stubborn, let's say, in terms of what I wanted to have and um we kind of did um a plan together like an idea of a planning.
Speaker 3:You gave us homework, of course, to finish it, um, uh, with, together with our partners at home, but, um, it was such a good exercise. You know to think about what I want, how I want, why I want, um, that bird to be like that, what are the expectations about the postpartum and, um, how actually the system works here in Switzerland and I think that was super valuable to to be able to, to know all that in advance.
Speaker 3:So it was not nothing like a surprise to me when it came to to the delivery date and the delivery day, let's say, because you have to be prepared. If you, if you really want to, to be, you know, the driver of this thing, of the, the birth experience, um, you have to prepare and to educate yourself, and I think um Julia helped us a lot, so thank you it's, uh, it's such a joy to get to talk to you again and, um, thank you for that.
Speaker 1:That was the work you did, and your partner as well. Could you tell us, then, about your pregnancy, how you felt in your pregnancy, how your journey to pregnancy was what you'd like to?
Speaker 3:share about that. The baby was kind of an unexpected baby, a miracle baby. We didn't plan for her, for Emma, and it was, I think last year in February, when we were like I think I might be pregnant.
Speaker 3:I just felt it. I was like my intuition told me there's something going on in my body. The line of the test was so thin you can barely see it and I was like, oh my God, this line line is new. I have never seen this line before and I was. I was so happy and so excited. I remember my husband came rushed, actually in home with other three or four tests. We did all of them just to make sure that that it's a positive one.
Speaker 3:And from from there things escalated and we started to prepare and get ready and start to understand what we have to do as parents now, especially in a new country. It was quite intense. Also, the birth itself was intense. So I think it was the pregnancy and the way we found out and the entire process. I would just call it intense or on steroids in a way. But the birth.
Speaker 3:After the birth, I think I had quite a stressful time because of the bridge position. So when we found out about the bridge position, things escalated so quickly into some sort of a horror story for me because it was so much pressure for for so long and from from from so many sources, from a family who could not understand what a breech birth is. They have never heard of that and I tried to hide it as best as possible because they were very scared of any type of you know problems or differences. So I could not tell my mom the entire story until after the birth. It was intense with that, but also we had a lot of pressure from the medical staff and from the caregivers and we had to find the best doctor that we could to give birth naturally or as close as that as possible possible, because I really wanted to try. At least I've heard stories of bridge babies being born natural. So I knew it was possible and I had this in my mind and I was like constantly fighting between what I was hearing, that this is not possible. With that thought that was in my head that, okay, I know this is possible somewhere. Someone must know how to do this.
Speaker 3:In my home country this type of birth would have not been possible at all. Unfortunately, we have like 70 percent c-section rates. I think it's the highest in Europe. Here it's not so bad. I was constantly trying to look for solutions. It was a very stressful period. I was also trying to enjoy the pregnancy. We did an awesome photo shoot with the belly and we tried to enjoy the little moments and the little moments of relaxation that we have At the end of the day. We were like finally we can breathe and we can relax and we can gather our thoughts and see where we're at. There are different, I think, problems that we encountered during the pregnancy itself, but we kind of managed to to surpass everything um, but
Speaker 3:I think the best period was towards the end of the pregnancy. You know, when all the moms say that it's terrible, because you actually feel terrible, that your belly is so big you cannot even wake up properly, you cannot sleep properly, you cannot do anything properly. Um, it was. It was so difficult, but also so beautiful and so relaxing for me, because I kind of finally found the doctor, the right place to give birth and I could finally relax and I say this is it, I can now relax, I'm in good hands and I'm just going with the flow. Yeah, so it was. You can imagine this.
Speaker 2:Finally, Hi, I'm Christina, a doula, baby-wearing consultant, childbirth educator and mother of three. I'm the owner of Lilybee, a family hub in Zurich where you can find resources, community and support in English as you begin your journey into parenthood. It takes a village. Find yours here.
Speaker 1:Where did you find your doctor who was going to support you with your birth choices and how was that process like logistically?
Speaker 3:yeah, we went from recommendation to recommendation but um to find, um, to find my birthplace, we actually started to.
Speaker 3:We had the let's say we start like this. We had the plan. The plan was simple we go to a birthing center, you know, with the midwives. Only it's going to beautiful, perfect natural pool. I'm going to give birth in water. It's going to be zen, chill, everything perfect.
Speaker 3:Week 32, panics kind of settled in because the baby was not turning. The midwives were like, don't you worry, baby's turn, you can do this and that. The midwives were very chill, very calm about the whole thing, because they've seen a lot of cases babies, indeed, do turn. But we were a week 37. Things haven't progressed in any way and they were like I'm so sorry, but you kind of have to find a hospital or some other place that's more specialized and we cannot take you.
Speaker 3:Unfortunately, I was devastated. I kind of felt that before that baby kind I might not be able to move or something. Well, I felt it. But I also felt that there was nothing wrong with me. You know, there was nothing wrong with the baby itself. It was just it was what it is, what it it was, that's it. It was a different position Not wrong, not perfect, but it was a different position and we kind of had to rethink the whole plan we had and to adapt quickly, because it was week 37. You can imagine the stress of a new mom. I was in my nesting mood already in the house, I was preparing everything, I was going crazy to clean everything, but we didn't have a birthday in place. So you can think of the pressure that was on me as a mom and also my partner as well, because he wanted to make sure that we're safe.
Speaker 3:And, uh, yes, things started to to progress in a way that we didn't actually expect, because we had to change a lot of doctors until we found the right one. We went from recommendation to recommendation and, um, I actually had this, uh, my doctor that helped me deliver. We had several recommendations for him, but the thing was that he was in another canton. It was a different place, it was like one hour away from my home. I was in my head thinking that, no, it's too far, it's too hard to arrive. And it was too far actually, because in the day of delivery we had like two hours, two hours to arrive up to the hospital. It was so, so challenging, but I was in my zone, I was ready. I was ready for it. I was with my headphones and I was with my sunglasses. I was sitting in the back, like in a yoga position and trying to relax and breathe in and do my exercises and you know, just be ready up till we get to the hospital so the labor itself doesn't stall or it can't progress further and I can be in my zone, progress further and I can be in my zone, because if I was stressed about the whole trip and road, it would have been probably a very, very difficult process for me to get back into the zone in the hospital. Basically, we had different recommendations and I found a mom actually also gave birth in breach. She was VBAC, vaginal birth after cesarean and um, I kind of went with the flow and we had a phone conversation and she told me that oh no, this doctor. I know you're thinking to give birth with him, but, um, this doctor is really amazing, so you can trust the process and um, he is actually there for you, he is very supportive and just don't worry about the road, things will fall into place, things will happen. It's yes, it's another condolence. Yes, I know it's stressful, but it's worth it, just trust me. And she told me a bit about the process. I knew um positive feedbacks from um other sources as well, from my midwife Also. She said that she'd heard of him, but in the end the choice was made when we actually had our first appointment with him.
Speaker 3:So I was week 37, I called, I was telling the staff from there that Hi, I'm week 37, I'm in Bridge. They were like, oh yeah, they were so chill. I was like so, so you know, I was so stressed, I'm in Bridge, I'm week 37, things were just a disaster, it's terrible. And they were like, yeah, so chill, so calm, things are going to be fine. Can we see you tomorrow or the next day? And I was like what? An appointment the next day in Switzerland. And it was like perfect, I felt like I was dreaming, it could not have been better. And I arrived and when I saw the doctor, I was like perfect, I felt like I was dreaming, it could not have been better.
Speaker 3:And I arrived and when I saw the doctor, I was like I want to give birth with him, so educated, and he actually gave us his full support and real numbers. We discussed research with exact research papers. So it was so informative to meet him and I actually just felt like it was the right place to give birth he he is collaborating with, he has his private practice. He's collaborating with a private hospital in Arau. That was not a problem for us, I mean, we just did what we had to do and we went ahead with his process. We made a birth plan, read it amazing, I know he read it and he actually tried to follow it as best as he could, explaining us step by step what he can do and what he cannot do because of the bridge position.
Speaker 3:It's still a lot of um, you know, um. It's a different process, um a bit because of the way the pressure is on the baby during birth. We have to be quicker, we have to do certain twists of the baby, maneuvers for for aligning the baby, and it's kind of different than a normal breath. You just can't stay in the pool up to the end. We managed to stay in the pool a bit, but at the end we actually had to be out and to be able to make sure that we are safe.
Speaker 3:But from the first meeting he gave his, like he said, 99. Of course, one percent is always possible to have a risk or to go to c-section. But I was like, okay, but I will go to c-section anyway. What's what's the worst that can happen? We try and we just end up in c-section same thing. So, um, he said like 99, it's going to be great.
Speaker 3:He looked at the baby girl. She was like well settled in the pelvis. She was like it's perfect. He was like she is perfect right there. We should not move her. If you want, we can do a rotation, a gentle rotation. We were actually ready to do that. We wanted to try because we've tried so many things like acupuncture, we've tried moxibustion, we've tried web strengthening, chiropractic, chiropractor. Um, we went to um swimming to make sure I relax. We, we did inversions, we followed the spinning babies and everything. Nothing worked. And we said that, okay, we can try a gentle rotation as well with him. But the next day so I had like my first appointment the next day my false contractions began so I could not do anything because they were contractions. And once the contractions settled in, it was kind of late to try to turn the baby and we went ahead with the bridge birds and things happened.
Speaker 3:And the impossible baby. That was like I heard doctors before it's going to be impossible, you're crazy, you're so stubborn, you want to kill your baby, type of you know messages. The impossible baby actually was perfect and she got a 10,. An APGAR score is it Right, a 10,? And we were so, so happy and could not be happier, more excited about how the things went. It was such a relief to to be able to to have like a rich natural birth and it was so empowering. I felt so strong that is amazing.
Speaker 2:I love it. How, going back um, you said there were some false contractions. How you? How did you know that labor was actually starting when it was time?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we we had ups and downs. There was, as we discussed during our hypnoperating course, there was for me it was more of a pressure thing than a pain thing. I kind of started to have close contractions, waves of contractions that were not going away. In that day we went, we had actually our. We had appointments every other few days with the doctor to monitor the baby and to make sure that she's fine. She was doing great and we actually had an appointment that exact day in the morning when my real contractions started. But I didn't know they were real actually and I was having this in my head. I don't know, is this happening? Is this the day? Can it be? Can it be, cannot be? I don't know. I was very, very unsure. I arrived at the um at the appointment and we did um, measure the heartbeat and everything, and um, the midwife from there said oh, it's contractions. Uh, the birth might start today, tomorrow, in the following week, we don't know, but it started already. The process started, but the birth itself we don't know when it's going to be, but we can guess it's estimated around this time.
Speaker 3:I discussed with my husband and we actually decided to go back home, because you know it's a one hour drive. I arrived home. We did only one hour for return. I arrived home and I went into the shower and things started to get worse than better because I expected maybe it's just something that will relax, things will just go back to normal, probably. And I started to have these waves like every two minutes and, um, I was like, oh my god, I think it. It began because it's too close and it's intense to be anything else but the bird. So we actually called the, the hospital, and we discussed with the nurse there and she said, no, you have to come because it's a bridge birth and we can get you in earlier, no matter how long it takes, you can just come, relax, check, because it's a bridge birth. It's better to be safe than sorry. And, um, we actually went there and arrived in two hours. The contractions, the waves increased and it was becoming more and more intense and started to feel a little bit of pain.
Speaker 3:I did my meditations in the car. It was two hour drive, as I said, two hours of meditations. It's so good that I had, you know, my mind ready for this, because those meditations were not something that I heard for the first time, it was something that was helping me relax and was getting me in the zone. It was something that was like deeply ingrained into my subconscious and I could actually breathe in and relax and the it was a guided meditation. So the, the voice was kind of very calming for me and it was very, very good to distance myself from, you know, the pressure of the road, because there were sort of you know, accidents and works on the road and it was a lot of waiting in between and I could just be in my zone in the car and I think that was that was so helpful. I arrived at the hospital and I was not even one centimeter dilated.
Speaker 3:It was like what no, but, um, we will get you in. Well, you can settle, we will give you this room, don't worry, just relax. And six hours later I gave birth, like what you said, what I did not ever expect that to happen. I was not prepared for this. I was not prepared for the breach itself when it happened, but it happened and we have to deal with it. I was not prepared for such a short labor time. I was not prepared for it and you know, the stages of the birth kind of were like on steroids. I could not understand what was going on.
Speaker 3:At some point I tried my best to to relax and I was like I cannot do this, like I was expecting 18 hours more at least, or something like that, because I have a friend who said that she was like 24 hours in labor and I was like I cannot stay like this. It's so intense and so painful. I had no breaks in between the contractions. The waves were so, so intense. I was like every minute I was having a way that was kind of, you know, getting more and more intense and I did not want to do any type of medication. But at that point I started to be like open towards it because, you know, I, I was in control of my body and at that point if I could not relax, I knew I cannot give birth. So it was so important to be able to to relax for me and I was taking in considerations all factors. Nurses asked me do you want um, an, an epidural? I said I said let's wait and see. For now I'm still, I'm still good and I'm still able to relax. But if it's getting worse, I might be getting tired and not be able to relax and we will have to. And she said, okay, we did some lavender packs, I went into the pool, I went into the pool and those were, I think, the best 10 minutes of my life. I relaxed so deeply, so deeply. It was like I could just, you know, sit back. I had like a pillow that was floating and I could just sit on the pillow and I felt like it was a dream. Um, because of, you know, um pressure and the contractions got um better. I was finally able to relax. I was like, oh, this is going to be a good birth.
Speaker 3:I was amazing 10 minutes in and started to feel very uncomfortable and I was sweating and my body started to feel like panicking. What's going on? Actually, I dilated quite quickly I didn't know it can happen so fast and I actually had to get out of the water because I felt like fainting. It was super intense and I would have been scared if I heard of it. But it was actually a very good experience because I felt very supported. I was having my husband by my side, I was having the midwives there, I was not alone. So I felt very supported. I was having my husband by my side, I was having the midwives there, I was not alone, so I felt safe. But it was very intense and I didn't know what was going on. You know you get into your head at that point. And we did a check and I was actually 10 centimeters dilated.
Speaker 3:After it was like less than five hours, and the nurse with midwife said that okay, we have to get ready for birth. I was like what, what do you mean? We have to get ready for birth? One birth, we still have time, right? No, no, you're 10 centimeters, five, no, 10.
Speaker 3:I was just, I was denying, denying, you know, I could not believe it was happening so fast. And um, I started to panic because my doctor was not there. My doctor came and, um, he visited me earlier when my water broke. My water broke in the hospital and he said, like, how are you doing, are you good? We checked in and he went home to relax, get a bit you know, to sleep probably. And um, the midwife called him like in terror, um, you have to come, we are giving birth. What do you mean give birth? And he, in 10 minutes he was there. It was like he's, he's living very close. So, um, when he entered the room, I managed to relax completely and we started with the birth itself and it was amazing and I felt so safe.
Speaker 3:But, but, you know, you get into your zone.
Speaker 3:I mean, I could not even hear anyone around.
Speaker 3:So my husband was in my ear, my midwife was somewhere and started to yell at me that I have to breathe, because I was breathing too intense, like I was keeping my outbreath too much, and I was like and the flu was not ending. And she was like no, no, you have to still breathe because you have to oxygenate. And she was like you're pushing too hard and it's very good, the baby is getting out, but you have to push. And I could not hear anything. So they started to breathe with me and with the doctor also. Also so, and it was so fun because I was seeing this doctor who is actually a professional with tons of experience. You would never expect to see him like breathing with a patient and we were breathing all together and things happened and I think in 10 minutes, um, everything was fine and she was out and yeah, well, we, before midnight we had the baby, so we arrived at the hospital at around six and something in the afternoon and that before midnight she was out and I could not believe it that's amazing.
Speaker 2:I love that story I am in awe. That is amazing do you mind sharing uh what hospital and which? Oh?
Speaker 3:sorry, yes, I forgot to mention so. We went to his londen in Aral, okay, and I would probably share the name of the doctor as well, because I think it's important to have this type of you know support from a doctor. When you are with a bridge baby, it's super awesome to have someone on your side and someone who can help actually deliver this type of birds. He actually recommended him to to another friend and she also had the bridge birth, which was a bit more intense than mine. Um, the babies, you know, can move before the birth as well, and we had the surprise we had Emma was born with her hand up. Hand was up also, apart from the bridge position.
Speaker 3:So it was kind of difficult to manage and to twist and it was quite intense. I didn't feel anything. The doctor was what? You didn't feel anything. No, I was like super in my zone, I was super relaxed. When he came, I was there 100. I felt no pain and that's something that I mean. I felt pain up to that point and it's a terrible word, I know to hear that we are not the word police.
Speaker 1:There is no word police, no worries, no word police.
Speaker 3:But when actually doctor came I felt like absolutely nothing and we didn't have any type of anesthesia or anything. So we managed to have it unmedicated. I was just so relaxed that there was no pain. And I have a friend who also had some legs and also both hands were up with also a bridge bird, and she went with him and she said that it was the best thing ever because probably no other doctor could have done what he did and to be able to get that baby safe. You know out, it was amazing because he's very experienced and he's very brave from my perspective, because he takes a lot of risk, risk that other doctors would not even imagine.
Speaker 3:It's not that bridge birds are way riskier. So we discuss numbers, it's like one in one thousand. Uh, birds, natural, like normal positions, they, they happen to have some complications, like um, bad outcomes. But when it comes to bridge it's like two in one thousand. So it's like one versus two in one thousand is not such a big difference. But when it comes to bridge it's like two in one thousand. So it's like one versus two in one thousand is not such a big difference. But when you discuss with a medical professional they usually say that it's at least it's twice as worse, or it's they. Do you know these words that are twisted and you are in your head and you're thinking, oh my god, it's 50 chance that my baby will die. And they also some, some of them put you in, put images in your head that your baby will die and will try to. You know, get into the direction that things will not fall into the right place and bad things will happen during your birth and it's safer and better for you to do c-sections. But no one mentioned that.
Speaker 3:For breech birth, c-sections are very risky as well, because they also have to do certain maneuvers and to get the baby out from there, and also complications due to other other things as well. There are breech babies that are born with c-sections that actually die and maybe if they were born in the natural way, things would have not progressed in that direction. And it's so sad because, um, when I ask my previous caregivers okay, so what are the risks of the c-section? What, uh, what do you see? How do you see things happening? Oh, there's no risk. You're safe. It's the best thing that you can do for your baby. You want to be a good mom, right?
Speaker 3:And um, there, you know, my alarms kind of started to ring. I was even scheduled for a c-section by one of the my own doctors because he was so convinced that I need to do this way, and I told him that, no, I really want to try natural. Are you able to help me? Yes, yes, yes, but let's do um, an mri to check your pelvis. And um, we went to check the pelvis and the pelvis was perfect, according to the guys from the diagnosis center, from from the mri specialist. But we went with the results to the doctor and doctor said oh no, this is not a good number, this is not enough. Your pelvis is too small, you won't be able to deliver. Do you want your baby to be stuck with the head, you know, and the body outstands. You know those those sort of like terrible, terrible images.
Speaker 3:We were devastated because we were like week 36 back then, something like that, and we were trying to find solutions and I was given only the C-section solution. But I was actually in a very bad position because I have very low iron and I told them you know, but I have low iron there, it's more risky for me to do a c-section. Oh no, don't you worry, it's not that bad, okay, but you know it's, the numbers are not like this. It's like a problem if my iron is low and I don't have time to be able to do any kind of compensation for the iron. Of course you can do the IV, it's no problem. It will be 100% safe and kind of this was the tone of the conversation with the previous specialist. So I can highly recommend the doctor that I gave birth with and it was such a different speech, totally different type of approach, and we discussed with calm and there was no fear mongering and there was simply what it was.
Speaker 3:It's a baby that's in a different position than most others. Rich birds are more frequent than we. Actually a baby that's in a different position than most others. Bridge birds are more frequent than we actually think. I met personally, I think, five or six other moms just in this period that had bridge birds and bridge babies. I discussed with others that had bridge birds in the past as well. So there are a lot of cases like this. It's not like one case in one million. It's quite frequent and it's quite natural and there's no reason to panic.
Speaker 3:But the way we had to discuss with the previous caregivers was like very fear-based and it was very inclining towards a certain procedure, and they were trying their best to convince me because the way that the medical act was in their vision was like it was unidirectional. I hadn't probably. I didn't know, I was not aware of the consequences, I was just a patient that didn't know I might kill the baby, as they said, and it was so sad because actually medicine is bidirectional. It's something between the caregiver and the patient and it's dialogue. It's not a monologue. It's, um finding solutions together. It's looking into the numbers together. It's different, a different approach, and that's what I wanted and I kind of manifested it into, into having it, because I really looked for that person who can give me this experience, who can um actually be frank and tell me you know it's a risk, but it's, it is what it is and we can do it. And it's a similar risk with any other natural delivery. So I'm here for you and that's all that I needed to hear.
Speaker 1:I think that that is just amazing. Thank you for that and for putting it in this way. We will certainly share in the show notes below your doctor's name and the hospital location, in case anyone who's listening would also like that information. Hi, I'm Julia from Happy Day and I'm here to support you in creating a peaceful, empowered birth experience. Whether you're seeking relaxation, stress reduction or effective ways to manage pain, my birth preparation course, hypnobirthing Plus, gives you the tools to feel calm, confident and prepared to tackle the unknowns surrounding birth.
Speaker 1:Hypnobirthing Plus is a unique two-day program designed for couples who want a deeper, more personalized approach to birth preparation. In this course, we cover everything from understanding your body's physiology to mental techniques that reduce fear and boost confidence. You'll also learn practical techniques for birth partners to have a positive, empowering impact on your experience. Additionally, we dive into your rights and choices and possible interventions, ensuring you feel both well-informed and supported. The course is offered in a small group setting in Ooster, just 25 minutes from Zurich, as well as live online to give you the flexibility you need. With limited spaces available, this is the perfect opportunity to prepare for birth in a supportive, empowering environment. Spaces fill up quickly, so visit happydayhypnobirthingch today to book your spot in the next Hypnobirthing Plus course and take the first step toward a calm, confident birth. And don't forget to connect on Instagram for tips, resources and special offers.
Speaker 1:Now back to Swiss Birth Stories. So my next question is about after your baby was born, so in the postpartum period, in the hospital, out of the hospital. What did that time look like for you? What was your support system? And, yeah, what do you want to share about that time?
Speaker 3:family room in the hospital. I could stay in with my husband for a few days. It was, I think, one of the best periods of our family together. It was so, so nice and it felt so wholesome and we, we had, you know, all the meals together and room service. Let's say it was. It was. It felt more like a baby moon than like a after birth experience. I was super euphoric so I was not like, oh, my god, I gave birth. I'm overwhelmed. I was like so happy and so proud and um, so happy and so proud of the of of my baby, because she did amazing and um, she did not panic somehow.
Speaker 3:I think the whole hypnobirthing practice and me being ready, listening to um, to the audios and trying to do my meditations and reading the hypnobirthing book and, you know, mentally preparing myself, um, actually kind of um, transmitted um in the womb in a way, my, this calmness, this process you know of, okay, it's okay, we're together, um, you're not alone and you're safe and we can do it together and we can do it together and um, she felt, I think, safe because otherwise, I mean, um, her heart was amazing. Everyone was like taking consideration the, the speed of the birth and the process of the birth. It was she. She did perfectly, like nothing below, nothing above. It was like perfect, perfect, perfect. And the doctor was also amazed by the way how quick it was, and I told him that, you know, hypnobirthing techniques help you deliver faster. I could not believe it myself, but it happened.
Speaker 3:You know, six hours for first birth, first baby with bridge position that sounds impossible to a lot of people. And, um, my physiotherapist told me, you know, I'm I'm so, so jealous because I stayed in my first, uh, in my first, for my first baby, like 26 hours. I stayed in the pool and relaxed, but I was so tired and I wish just to be like, no, just quicker. And we were laughing together because I was like you cannot be jealous on me. I'm like, yes, I am, it was. It was a very hard experience, you know, because we had to deal with a lot of pressure, but, um, I think anyone can do that if they put their mind into it and if they really want to make sure that it's something that's benefiting their babies as well.
Speaker 3:The birth itself was so good and the postpartum period for us, it was amazing as well. Um, the, the birth itself was, was so good and the postpartum period for for us it was amazing as well. Um, we went home and we were kind of sad. We left the hospital. It was like so good and so nice and the doctor actually visited us every night to check on us. After, before he was leaving, he came to visit us and checking how are you, how's the baby, and played with the baby a bit and she was like looking at him and it was I don't know it was. It was such a nice connection and, um, it was, it was special for us and we were so happy to be able to to deliver like this, especially, you know, in a foreign country with no other, you know, support. We were just the two of us. Family could not be near us.
Speaker 3:So it was our tiny family starting a new chapter together and it was it was beautiful to to be able to have this experience, because all the years that I've seen movies and I've heard stories of trauma and birthing stories that were terrible in the hospitals and women were like in stress, in huge stress, and they were like having nightmares even after the birth stress, and they were like having nightmares even after the birth.
Speaker 3:I was expecting things to go in that direction as well until the you know the preparation that I did, but after that thing started to fall into place and I realized that I can drive this in whatever direction I want. So, even if there's a c-section, at the end it is me who was, you know, deciding this and it was not someone else pressuring me into this, and I had the power to stand for myself and stand up for my baby as well. And it was so good and so empowering because I had a plan for the C-section as well, with what I wanted and what I didn't want, the C-section as well with what I wanted and what I didn't want, and things were just just happened as I projected them to be, and I was so happy. I could not be happier than that.
Speaker 1:I think you bring up some really just amazing things. We're both just completely in awe of you. I've already cried twice. I think this story is so amazing, and you point to in the last little thing that you said about this control and about being the one who is making the decisions, even if it's a decision you don't want to make, that you're prepared for it and that you know that, if you need to make that choice, that it will be the right one for you. Yeah, this, this has been a spectacular Christina. What did you? Did you have something you wanted to add right now?
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I'm blown away as well. I love it and, just like you said, you know that there are things you can't control. The baby's position, you know you try everything and then we don't know why she picked that position right oh, I have a story about that as well oh, you do know why tell us, tell us.
Speaker 3:So we went to acupuncture and there was an old chinese guy specializing in, you know, turning rich babies as well. So he was he's seen stuff and he was not speaking any German or English or anything, he was just speaking Chinese and he had a translator. I think you might have heard of him and he came and told me you know, rich babies usually stay like that because they want to be close to the mom's heart. Oh, and that was so, so nice. And when I heard that, I started to cry and I was like this is so beautiful and such a nice meaning of this whole crazy experience, because it was, was. I needed to hear that and I needed to, to hear that, to, to, to, to feel it as well, you know, just not just to hear it, and um, I, it helped me connect more with my baby and to accept the things as they were and not label them as wrong, as many people would have done and would have loved me to do. Um, but um, it was. It was such a nice explanation of such a difficult story and I think it will help other moms as well, because it's it's such a nice explanation, speed it's. It's apparently something that it said in their tradition. That's what he told me that they do say this, they think this and also, you know, when the babies come with the hands up, they are saying hi to the world as well. So it was. We had like a little bit of meaning added to this positioning as well and it was interesting to experience it and to see it and to discuss with so many people Because, as I said, we tried so many things and everyone was trying to help as best as they could.
Speaker 3:I remember my chiropractor was like I hope this solved the issue and you know you do the pelvic alignment and it certainly helped because I managed to give such a quick birth and things were kind of aligned. But she was like I hope it helped you to turn the baby. She was living in holiday for two or three weeks and she didn't know the outcome and she was like just keeping my fingers crossed for you and this works and the baby turns and I'm actually kind of happy and works and the baby turns and I'm actually kind of happy and relieved that the baby did not turn. I am happy I had this experience as it was and I could experience the bridge birth because it felt so much more rewarding at the end to be able to to give birth like this and to stand my ground, and I think it was quite a transformative experience for me as a woman and as a mother. We have a different story, you know, to tell, than those traumatic ones that I've heard in my family and from other friends as well. Like you know, I tried and pushed like so, so many hours with you and was terrible. That is what I've heard from other other aunts as well and from friends that it's usually a bad experience, but for us it's like, oh my god, it was such a good experience to birth you and that's what I want my girl to hear like it was such a nice experience to be able to experience this as your mother and to be the woman who gives birth to you this way, and I am so lucky that you chose to be born like this.
Speaker 3:And, um, everyone was like telling before that the baby might be big, because I also had gd gestational diabetes and they were trying to prevent things from, you know, happening in a natural way as well because of the GD. They said, no, you're at risk, you should be actually thinking of C-section. They were putting pressure on me from. I think it was month six or five, and I was like I don't't think so. I think it's normal. So many women have this and I actually kind of manage it so well with the sports, with exercise and with diet change. I think it's great.
Speaker 3:And my doctor at that time she said like, um, no, but I think your numbers are too high. This interval is not correct. What do you mean? The interval is not correct. This is the interval from. You know the general policies and hospital numbers that are giving you know your um. Um, glucose has to be in this interval. And my interval was fine no, no, no, we have to lower your interval so we can give you insulin. I'm like what you know, if you give me insulin, I will be. It will be absolutely impossible for me to give natural birth in any place. And also, um, it was destroying my um birthing center plans at that point as well, because the birthing center might not accept me as well.
Speaker 3:And she was like, yes, I know, but you have to think about the c-section. I was like, no, we have to change the doctor. So it was like we went home and we changed doctor after after that. So, yeah, it was. Uh, it was difficult before the bridge birth as well, for for us. So that's why I said it was intense.
Speaker 3:It was intense and um yeah, um, I was actually so happy because when she was born she was so tiny, she was two seven hundred and it was not according to a GD, you know like it was. They were saying like she will be so big, it's going to be so bad, and my doctor that helped me deliver, he was so relaxed, he said, no, the baby's fine, she's perfect, she's actually small, she's perfect. She wasn't smaller actually than all the technical stuff showed. Know, technical stuff showed it was like two seven hundred and she was so tiny. And you know when, because of the bridge position, they have like frog legs a bit and they stay like how they stayed, in the womb and with the legs up and she was not fitting any any suit that we had packed with us. We had like a size 40 something and it was not fitted and 50 was like huge for her.
Speaker 3:And it was so nice that we managed to actually experience this as it was and we were just so happy to take things as they happened because we didn't plan for her size. We didn't plan for the birth to be like this. We didn't plan for a six hour birth or less than that. We didn't plan for anything but things aligned, and I think it helped a lot that I had the outcome that I wanted in my mind and I managed to find ways to be as close to that outcome as possible um to find a good provider, to find um the hypnobirthing course, to um try all these techniques, because it was super important for me to make sure that I try everything and that actually it's something that it's not, you know, a regret that I will have, that I didn't try enough or I did everything I could. Things just stayed like this. I was like okay, this is meant to be, you want to be born like this, we accept it, you're welcome, you want to stay close to mama's heart? Then we go with this. And I trusted the baby, um that, um, she was ready when she was ready and she was doing the right thing by staying in that position, because it was better for her, probably in that way. And um, because it was better for her, probably in that way. And um, yes, um, I trusted the baby and the things was, you know, um, actually the. I've heard that the babies actually activate the birth when they are ready. You know they send the hormones that um the. The mom should get ready and the mom's body has to start to prepare and so on, and, um, when I got the signal, I was like um, I don't know if this is it, but I'm ready and it was. It was so good to to be able to, to have a good experience in the end after all that chaos and all the pressure that I had.
Speaker 3:This can make a lot of people angry and I'm sure, and a lot of people will be, will be happy to to hear. You know that it's a way. There is a way you know you can. You can get out of any situation that seems like it's not for you, like us with the doctors. You can just choose not to go to that and find another provider.
Speaker 3:If someone said something doesn't mean it's always true. They can. Anyone can manipulate numbers, anyone can change narratives. You just have to make sure that it's aligned with what you feel and your intuition as a mom. And I always felt like the baby was fine, I was fine, um, nothing was wrong with both of us and we tried to double and triple check that indeed it was like this and um, we actually found a person who just gave us the reassurance that things were fine and it was nothing that I was imagining. It was all good and things were like this.
Speaker 3:But unfortunately we had to fight a bit for answer and I'm just sorry to hear that a lot of people and a lot of moms and families start on the wrong note because they listen to people who are just trying to follow policies and instructions and they are trying to protect themselves as well, because you know, being part of the medical system, it's very vulnerable and you have to make sure that you have all these policies in place to protect yourself as a professional. And when the numbers are a bit out, you know the alarms ring for them as well and they have to make sure that their jobs are safe at the end of the day and the moms and the baby don't die. But just because they don't die, that doesn't mean they have a good birth experience, and I think it's the mom's responsibility to make sure she has a good birth experience for her and for her baby, because the medical staff will do what is necessary to keep them alive, but not necessarily to help them. You know, um have a less traumatic way because of giving birth. Sorry, um, it's just. Uh.
Speaker 3:I've heard stories like um from from close friends here in Switzerland that are are sound good, but they actually don't feel good and the moms say that things were perfect, but somehow I don't feel good after this birth. They had interventions, some of them hadn't any intervention, some of them had C-sections, some of them didn't. So it doesn't really matter, I think, as long as it is your choice and you feel in control and you are educated in whatever choice you make. And um, yeah, it's, it's, it's sad that know this birth story can follow you the entire life. So it's much better to prevent than to recover from, and I think it's super important to get prepared and make sure you have the right numbers for everything, to make sure that you're doing the the right choices for you and for the baby, and it's so important to choose the perfect birthing place for you and for your needs as a mom.
Speaker 3:I've heard even of home births in switzerland, a mom who actually didn't have time to have anyone with her. She gave birth alone in the house until her husband arrived and I was like that's so powerful and so amazing. Look, in my situation with the bridge birth, I would have not been um. It was impossible to give birth alone because there were some twists and maneuvers that the doctor had to do. I could not do them myself. Some twists and maneuvers that the doctor had to do, I could not do them myself.
Speaker 3:So it it is. It was a limitation that it was in my situation and I'm sure there are women in other limiting situation and they have to make the hard choices and to find what's best for them. But it's important to just be the one that does this choice and who is having a discussion, informed discussion, with the caregivers, and they allow you enough space and you have respect on both ways so you can make this decision for you and for the baby, for the baby and um, yeah, um. I think this kind of um was a was a story. That um, a birth story. For me. That was probably something that I would have never anticipated, because I never knew that I would be able to do this and to just be stubborn enough to arrive at my destination, and I think it was a learning experience, not only, you know, a birthing experience.
Speaker 2:And what an incredible legacy now for your daughter that you've changed. You know your family's outlook, your cultural outlook, the medical system like what a powerful gift to her as well.
Speaker 3:Exactly, thank you, and I'm so happy for her to hear this and, to you know, have the proof that this happened and it's real, and we're, of course, living in the technological era and we have all the pictures and the movie when, when, after the birth, and it was so nice, you know, just to, to, to be able to, to give this story and to pass this story forward and, um, I just want as many people and as many women as possible to experience this type of, you know, euphoria and happiness after the birth.
Speaker 3:It's so important because so many women, unfortunately, you know, let fear, take their power away and that's just so sad and it has such a long impact long term, because birth makes the makes a woman much more powerful, I think, and it just makes her shine. If it's a good experience and it gives her power. And a powerful woman, you know, is a dangerous one, let's say it like this Because she knows what she's worth and she knows what she can do, and I think it's amazing to be able to experience that and to allow a natural process to transform you that deeply.
Speaker 1:We are so grateful for you, for your story, for how beautifully you share it. Thank you. Before we say bye, I want to ask you and there are so many of these, I don't know how you're going to choose one but could you share with us your most brilliant moment, One that really, when you're doing some other kind of task, will sneak up on you and make you think, yeah, I did that. Could you share that with us?
Speaker 3:Yeah, it was probably exactly after the birth, when she was on my chest.
Speaker 3:Doctor put it right away, I think quickly after the birth she was on my chest and she was like looking around and with her tiny eyes, and I looked into her eyes and she was like this tiny creature that made it, you know that made it into this world and she was safe. And, um, the doctor at some point said, oh, she's looking with such curious eyes and that moment stayed with me like this is such curious eyes, and I was like, oh, my god, that's my baby with such curious eyes and she's indeed a curious baby and a fighter from my perspective, because she just decided that she wants to stay in Bridge. She's going to be birthed in Bridge, she's safe with mama and she was here. Yeah, it was a miracle for us.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much for hearing the story and taking your time to listen to this and I really hope it inspires a lot of people to never give up and to try to find the best place for them to give a natural birth or whatever birth, but on their terms and never on others terms. So that's my message that's amazing.
Speaker 2:I think we should end on that note. That is words to live by.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Thank you so much again, mihaela. Thank you so much for tuning into another episode of Swiss Birth Stories. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an inspiring birth story or expert insight. Your support means the world to us and helps this community grow, so please also take a moment to rate and review wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us reach even more parents-to-be. Don't forget to share this episode with a friend or loved one who could benefit from it, and be sure to follow us on social media at Swiss Birth Stories for even more tips, resources and updates on upcoming podcast guests, courses and events. We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and birth stories too, so feel free to DM us, fill out the form on our website, swissbirthstoriescom, or tag us in your posts. Until next time, keep sharing, keep learning and keep connecting with each other.
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