Kateryna: Choosing Home Birth in Switzerland

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What happens when a healthcare system’s “just in case” meets a mother’s calm, clear questioning: “what’s actually happening right now?”, "How is my baby doing?"

Originally from Ukraine, we meet Kateryna to explore her five-year fertility journey, her two planned home births in the Zurich area, and the tightrope walk between hospital protocol, fact-finding and personal autonomy. From a low fluid scare and a breech presentation to a successful ECV (a procedure to turn the baby before it is born) followed by a rare bleeding complication, she takes us inside the decisions that turned anxiety into agency and pressure into preference.

We move through practical strategies for navigating late-pregnancy curveballs: how she assessed induction recommendations with a clear head, what respectful monitoring sounds like, and where to find breech-friendly care in Switzerland. Kateryna’s first home birth unfolded with movement, hypnobirthing, and water; her second arrived in a sunlit pool in under a minute after a forest walk and mindful positioning.

Her approach was never “home at all costs.” Hospitals were registered, transfer plans ready, and informed consent constant- proof that safety and softness can coexist when parents are trusted.

Postpartum is where her philosophy crystallizes. The first time, she rushed back to life and paid for it with prolonged bleeding and discomfort. The second, she committed to forty days of rest, clear boundaries, and targeted support, including a rented therapeutic laser for nipple healing and a lotus birth that demanded slow, attentive care. The result: steadier breastfeeding, deeper sleep, and a remarkably calm baby. We also talk about changing doctors at 38 weeks, the red flags that signal misalignment, and the green lights that say you’ve found your team.

If you’re weighing home birth, facing breech, or just craving a gentler postpartum, this story offers concrete tools and uncommon peace.

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Kateryna's Resources

• Hebammen https://www.instagram.com/haerzchlopfae_hebamme?igsh=MzM5ZTE5YjB2aThz
• Doctor to turn breech baby https://frauenarzt-genesis.ch/dr-el-idrissi/
• Doctor to give birth vaginaly with breech https://www.hirslanden.ch/de/corporate/aerzte/3/dr-med-werner-stadlmayr.html
• Postpartum midwife https://diehebammenpraxis.ch/
• Rent laser https://www.wochenbett-huber.ch/
• Yoni steaming and recovery massage https://www.christine-ehling.com/
• Photos https://www.instagram.com/berdysheva_tetyana?igsh=MXg2NHhwMjcwd2wweg==

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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.

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