Elli: From fear to trust. Two babies, Two Different Experiences.
Ellie shares her journey of giving birth twice at the University Hospital in Zurich, exploring both the emotional challenges of pregnancy and the profound differences between her two birth experiences. Through her story, she highlights the importance of advocating for yourself during labor and recognizing that babies arrive with their own unique personalities from day one.
There are a few gorgeous moments in this podcast where you can hear her little one snuggling in for a feed. We kept these moments in as it is simply real and true to the experience of interviewing Elli, which was a total delight.
- Moving to Switzerland shortly before starting a family
- Experiencing physically easy pregnancies while struggling with the psychological aspects
- Being induced 9-10 days past estimated due date for both pregnancies
- First birth involving an epidural and the "cascade of interventions"
- Second birth progressing to intense, unmedicated labor within hours
- Advocating against an episiotomy during second birth without prior consent
- Insights on the Swiss postpartum care system
- Realizing her two children had completely different personalities from birth, and learning how to parent such different children
- The valuable midwife advice: "If it works for you, then it's okay"
- Finding perspective with her second child that everything is just a phase
Elli's Resources
Instagram:
@Karrie_Locher
@dr.maehughes
@Badassmotherbirther
Podcast Recommendations
- Informed pregnancy podcast and informed pregnancy plus (to watch birth movies)
- The Birth Hour
- Evidence Based Birth
- Makes Milk with Emma Pickett
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The SwissCast Podcast Network is here to amplify the diverse voices and unique stories of Switzerland—all in English. Whether you're a Swiss local fluent in English, an expat, or simply curious about Swiss culture, SwissCast offers engaging content that speaks directly to you. Our mission is simple: to create a space where Swiss life and English voices connect, bringing you meaningful conversations, expert insights, and compelling stories from all over the country. Our podcast shows are made by, for, or in Switzerland and range from Health, Business, Career, Travel, and more.
00:00 - Untitled
00:08 - Introduction to Ellie's Swiss Birth Journey
01:02 - Pregnancy Experiences and Psychological Challenges
09:15 - First Birth: Hospital Induction and Epidural
18:15 - Postpartum Support and Midwife Guidance
21:36 - Second Birth: Trying Natural Induction Methods
28:52 - Intense Unmedicated Labor and Advocacy
38:31 - Comparing Babies: Different Personalities
46:34 - Finding Joy in Second-Time Motherhood
50:53 - Most Brilliant Parenting Moment
