EN-ICHI Opens Up the Future of Family and Community
[Voices of Japanese Parents Abroad_Switzerland Vol.2] Pregnancy and Childbirth in Switzerland: Rational and Warm Care Supporting Postpartum Life at Home
Ai (not her real name) gave birth to four children in Switzerland. She says that she was initially confused by the completely different pregnancy and childbirth style to that in Japan, but looking back, she says, "It was a rational and reasonable system."
Giving birth in Switzerland was confusing at first
-Please
tell us about your pregnancy and birth.
I went to a local obstetrician and gave birth at a general hospital. This is a common practice in Switzerland. It was my first time at the hospital, and strangers delivered my baby. Although I didn't attend, they also offer motherhood and parenting classes.
-Was
the birth smooth?
In my case, I had natural births for all four of my children, and they were surprisingly easy. My first child was born just two hours after the onset of labor. My second child was born in a small room near the hospital reception, but they were too late. My third and fourth children were born within 30 minutes of arriving, so I consider myself to have had a "super easy birth constitution."
-Were
you worried or confused about giving birth abroad?
When I gave birth in Switzerland for the first time, I was surprised by the differences from Japan. The biggest difference was being discharged immediately after giving birth. In Japan, it's common for women to stay in hospital for around five days after a normal birth and around seven days after a Caesarean section, but in Switzerland, women who have a natural birth are discharged from the hospital after just two days. In some cases, they can even go home on the same day.
To be honest, I thought, "Huh? Can I go home already?" But the midwife came to my house, so I wasn't worried.
*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.
Postpartum "visiting midwife" system
-Do
midwives come to your home? Yes. I think this "visiting midwife" system is a major feature of Swiss maternity care. For a certain period after birth, a midwife will come to your home to check on the health of mother and child, provide breastfeeding guidance, and even provide postpartum physical and mental care. Up to 10 visits are covered by insurance, and can be extended as needed (additional costs apply). Even if you leave the hospital early, you'll receive ample support.
-Can I choose the midwife who visits me?
In the later stages of pregnancy, a list of midwives is distributed, and the mother can choose the midwife of her choice. It's very convenient to be able to receive care at home. Being at home makes it easier to adjust to the baby's pace, and it's also reassuring to be able to spend time caring for older children.
Maternity and childcare leave is short, but it is covered by flexible working styles
-What
about the maternity leave system? The maternity leave system is more comprehensive in Japan. In Switzerland, mothers get about three months of maternity and childcare leave, and fathers only got two days of parental leave when we were kids.
However, Switzerland offers ample paid leave and is advancing flexible working practices. My husband also works from home two days a week, so we can handle childcare, doctor visits, and sudden illnesses. When our child had a fever, my husband even took him to the hospital. I'm grateful for the culture that allows you to adjust your work schedule to suit your family's circumstances.
After being discharged from the hospital, should I go for walks as much as possible?! Three types of baby food?!
--Are
there any other things that are unique to Switzerland? Yes, there are. For example, in Switzerland, it's considered good to take babies outside. Even immediately after birth, the idea of exposing babies to fresh air helps to strengthen their immune system and skin. My midwife also encouraged me to take walks as much as possible after I was discharged from the hospital. I felt this was in stark contrast to the Japanese culture of resting after giving birth.
By the way, when I returned to Japan, I was surprised by the variety and delicate flavors of baby food. Swiss supermarkets only sell about three types of baby food for each age group, and with three types, three meals a day is enough, so it ends up being the same every day (laughs). Looking at
my friends, they just blend all kinds of ingredients and mash them up before giving them to their babies. Spanish mothers stuff shrimp into their six-month-olds' mouths, and German families deliberately feed their babies hard bread. The way baby food is prepared and what they're given varies depending on the country of origin, and there aren't the strict guidelines like in Japan.
*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.
Watching over children in families and communities
--What about childcare and support for raising children?
In Switzerland, families and communities are responsible for supporting meals and daily life. There are daycare centers, but they're very expensive. At my local daycare center, two days a week costs about ¥200,000 a month. For four children, it's ¥800,000 a month. You might think, "That's impossible!" (laughs). It's free from kindergarten (age four).
Even in dual-income households, many families with many children often think, "It's cheaper to look after the kids at home than to work."
--So it's not necessarily the case that mothers return to work immediately.
That's right. In Switzerland, rather than immediately returning to work after giving birth, there's a strong system of watching over children at the family and community level. Local childcare support centers are available, with midwives on-site and available for consultations about child-rearing. Midwives, neighbors, and family. The spirit of "co-education," where everyone raises a child together, balances rationality and warmth.
Being told, "You can raise your child at your own pace," is the most reassuring thing. I think Switzerland is a country with that kind of atmosphere.
Swiss landscape (provided by Ai)
[Overseas Child Rearing Column_Switzerland]
Vol.1 A cosmopolitan society - accepting differences and living together
Vol.2 Experiences of pregnancy and childbirth - "Postpartum at home" supported by rational and warm care
Vol.3 Education that fosters "independence," "self-assertion," and "creativity"
Vol.4 Daily life in a "multicultural" and "natural" world
Vol.5 Firmly deciding "family rules"
Vol.6 Rethinking “Work” in Everyday Life
