Ladina: Continuity Of Care, Sibling Bonds, And The Unexpected. Two Different Birth Experiences at Triemli in Zurich.

Send us Fan Mail

Plans rarely survive contact with labour, and that’s exactly where this story shines. We sit down with Ladina, a Swiss parent who grew up in the US and Brazil, to trace two very different births at Triemli Stadtspital in Zurich—one long and medically complex, the next fast and grounded in simple tools and trust.

We start with the first pregnancy and a nerve-wracking NIPT delay over the holidays that coloured the months that followed. Labour opened with back pain and slow dilation, a middle-of-the-night epidural for much-needed rest, and oxytocin to restart contractions. Doctors weighed a C-section as her baby’s heart rate dipped, then broke her waters to reassess. With clear communication and steady midwifery support, her team helped her continue toward a vaginal birth. Postpartum brought a hot, crowded ward, sleepless nights, and the classic “flirt weeks” that soon gave way to evening fussiness. Breastfeeding clicked early, freezer meals saved their sanity, and expectations reset as reality arrived.

The second time, everything felt different. With a toddler at home, there was less anxiety and more trust in her body. A TENS machine became her secret weapon for back labour, letting her arrive at the hospital already seven centimetres dilated despite being two weeks past her due date. Induction was planned, then labour started on its own; she birthed without an epidural in a calm room with minimal staff. We dig into the Beleghebamme continuity-of-care model at Triemli, why it matters even when schedules don’t align, and how the right ally can keep options open without pressure.

Family life after birth adds honest layers: preparing a firstborn with simple rituals, navigating rough affection and parental triggers, and handling weeks of illness that often trail big transitions. We explore sleep ups and downs, self-weaning when pregnancy changed milk, and a daughter who refused bottles at daycare, pushing Ladina to pump at work and leave early pickups. The big takeaway is practical and humane: some babies sleep, some don’t; tools like TENS, doulas, and continuity of care help; and confidence grows when we allow plans to change without losing our voice.

If you care about natural birth, epidurals, induction, TENS in labour, breastfeeding, bottle refusal, sibling bonding, and Swiss maternity care, this story delivers grounded insight and real-world strategies.

Subscribe for more Swiss Birth Stories, Write a review, and share this podcast to help more parents in Switzerland and beyond find the show.

Ladina's Resources

• TENS machine rental from Lilybee: https://www.lilybee.ch/shop/tens-rental/
• Beleghebammen Zürich | Carolina Iglesias, Eva Kaderli

Support the podcast with a small donation or tip

Please connect with us!

Click here to share your story and be our next guest!

All Swiss Birth Stories Episodes

Our Websites:

www.swissbirthstories.com

www.juliathedoula.ch

www.lilybee.ch

Instagram:

@swissbirthstories

@juliathedoula.ch

@lilybeezurich

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover more great podcasts at SwissCast.Network

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.

SwissCast Network