Clare: Empowered Hospital Birth Without Pain Relief. Long Labour, Deep Sibling Bonds, Embracing Your Own Way
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
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Clare's Resources:
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.
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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
00:01 - Introduction to Swiss Birth Stories
02:05 - Claire's Family Journey to Switzerland
05:33 - Planning for Birth with a Doula
15:11 - The 67-Hour Labor Begins
24:01 - Hospital Transfer and Induction
31:37 - Water Birth and Meeting Vianne
38:16 - Postpartum and Going Home
44:31 - Sibling Relationship and Final Reflections
