Gülkiz: Fast Labour, Birth House, Redefining "Doing It Right" Postpartum
A wrong email address reshaped an entire birth story. We sat down with a scientist‑mum, Gülkiz, 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.
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Gülkiz's 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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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 - Meet the guest and hosts
01:31 - Berlin to Zurich: life changes
04:22 - Trying to conceive and tests
06:39 - Positive test and sharing news
11:35 - Pregnancy symptoms and movement
14:37 - Birth house found by mistake
16:26 - Preparing with courses and partners
17:46 - Early labour at home
20:10 - At the birth house: fast progress
22:45 - Vomiting, waters, and calm care
24:48 - Mirror-guided pushing breakthrough
26:56 - Golden hours and gentle stay
29:07 - Partner’s view and support
31:43 - Postpartum feeding struggle
34:01 - Combo feeding and donor milk neighbour
37:07 - Community, culture, and milk siblings
39:04 - Relationship strain and sleep loss
42:07 - Returning to movement and illness
44:09 - Grandparents, help, and work reset
47:36 - Most brilliant moment and closing
51:27 - Subscribe, review, and connect
