Lisa: From Recurring Loss to Hard Choices to Motherhood. A Rare Diagnosis, Donor Egg IVF Across Borders, and a Birth That Tested Every Limit.
What an episode. When Lisa is told again and again that her recurring miscarriages are “just bad luck,” she knows that's not it. She follows her intuition, pushes for deeper testing, and finally gets an answer. Lisa has a balanced chromosomal translocation, a rare genetic rearrangement that makes naturally conceived pregnancies far more likely to end.
That diagnosis forces impossible choices. Lisa and her Swiss husband look at IVF realities, adoption barriers, and the heartbreak of more loss, then choose donor egg IVF. But because egg donation is illegal in Switzerland (a topic discussed in the episodes), they travel to a Greek fertility clinic and learn the logistics and emotions of cross-border care, donor screening, anonymity, and what it means to build a family this way.
The first transfer works, but pregnancy still brings health anxiety, intense symptoms, and the lingering fear that good news can disappear.
Then comes birth. Lisa shares her fears of childbirth, why she planned a hospital birth in Kantonspital Winterthur with doula support, how an induction is recommended after late-pregnancy measurements, and what it’s like to move through a long, brutal labour when pain relief doesn’t fully touch the intensity.
We also unpack the cascade of interventions, vacuum-assisted delivery, brief newborn oxygen support, retained placenta surgery, a severe postpartum haemorrhage, and the months of triple feeding and guilt that follow. It’s a raw, honest story about resilience, anger, tenderness, all so generously shared by the honest and candid conversation with Lisa.
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Lisa's Resources
- Fertility specialist in Zurich: https://www.kinderwunsch-zuerich.ch/
- Lisa's clinic in Greece where was matched with her egg donor: https://www.newlife-ivf.co.uk/
- Christine was Lisa's doula: www.lilybee.ch
- Lisa can be contacted here for connecting about issues like balanced translocation, fertility assistance, donor eggs: lisa.schwander712@gmail.com
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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 - Meet Lisa And Her Family
02:06 - Wanting A Baby Later In Life
04:26 - Recurrent Miscarriage And Dismissal
10:06 - Balanced Translocation Changes Everything
15:41 - Donor Egg IVF Outside Switzerland
27:21 - Pregnancy Anxiety And Body Symptoms
32:01 - Doula Support And Birth Plans
36:06 - Induction Decision At 39 Weeks
41:21 - Intense Labour And Pain Relief
48:46 - Vacuum Birth And Newborn Support
58:01 - Recovery, Feeding Guilt, And Bonding
01:11:11 - Her Most Brilliant Moment
01:14:02 - Closing Thanks And Ways To Connect
