[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

―Couldyou tell us about your pregnancy and childbirth experience?

During my pregnancy, I went to a local obstetrician and gave birth at a general hospital. This style is common in Switzerland. It was my first time going to this hospital for childbirth, and my baby was delivered by people I had never met before. Although I didn't participate, they also offer classes for mothers and parents.

―Wasthe childbirth smooth?

In my case, all of my births, from my first to my fourth child, were natural births, and they were surprisingly easy. My first child was born just two hours after labor began. With my second child, I didn't make it in time and ended up giving birth in a small room near the hospital reception. My third and fourth children were also born within 30 minutes of arriving, so I feel that I have a "very easy childbirth constitution."

―Wereyou anxious or confused about giving birth in a foreign country?

Naturally, when I gave birth in Switzerland for the first time, I was confused by the differences from Japan. The biggest difference was that I was discharged from the hospital immediately after giving birth. In Japan, it's common to stay in the hospital for about five days for a normal delivery and about seven days for a Cesarean section, but in Switzerland, if you have a natural birth, you're discharged in two days. In some cases, you can even go home the same day.

To be honest, I thought, "What? I can go home already?" But a midwife comes to your home, so I wasn't worried.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

Postpartum "visiting midwife" system

―Soa midwife comes to your home?

That's right. I think this "visiting midwife" system is a major feature of childbirth care in Switzerland. For a certain period after giving birth, a midwife comes to your home to check on the health of both mother and baby, provide breastfeeding guidance, and offer postpartum physical and mental care. Up to 10 visits are covered by insurance, and can be extended as needed (additional fees apply). Even if you are discharged from the hospital early, you can still receive ample support.

―Canyou choose which midwife visits you?

In the later stages of pregnancy, you are given a list of midwives, and you can choose the midwife you prefer. It's so helpful to have care at home. It's easier to adjust to the baby's pace at home, and it was reassuring to be able to take care of my older children at the same time.

Maternity and childcare leave is short, but it is covered by flexible working styles

―Whatabout maternity leave?

Japan has a more comprehensive maternity leave system. In Switzerland, mothers only get about three months of maternity and childcare leave, and back in our day, fathers only got two days of childcare leave.

However, Switzerland has generous paid leave and a more flexible work style. My husband also works from home two days a week so that he can handle childcare, doctor's appointments, and unexpected illnesses of our child. When our child had a fever, my husband took him to the hospital. It's wonderful to have a culture where you can adjust your work to suit your family circumstances.

After being discharged from the hospital, should I go for walks as much as possible?! Three types of baby food?!

―Arethere any other things that are unique to Switzerland?

Yes, there are. For example, in Switzerland, it is considered good to take babies outside. Even immediately after birth, there is a widespread belief that exposing babies to the fresh air helps develop their immunity and skin strength. After I was discharged from the hospital, my midwife recommended that I "take walks as much as possible." I felt that this was in stark contrast to the Japanese culture of "resting after childbirth."

By the way, regarding baby food, I was surprised by the variety and subtlety of the flavors when I returned to Japan. In Swiss supermarkets, there are only about three types of baby food for each age group, and with only three types, you'd only get three meals a day, so it would end up being the same every day (laughs).

Looking at my friends around me, they just blend all sorts of ingredients into a mushy mess and feed it to their babies. A Spanish mother put a shrimp in the mouth of her six-month-old child, and a German family deliberately fed their baby hard bread. The way baby food is made and what is fed differs depending on the country of origin, and there are no detailed guidelines like in Japan.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

Watching over children in families and communities

―What about childcare and parenting support?

In Switzerland, family and community support are responsible for meals and daily life. There are daycare centers, but they are very expensive. The daycare center near my house costs about 200,000 yen a month if you send your child there twice a week. If you send four children there, it's 800,000 yen a month. You'd think, "That's impossible!" (laughs). Kindergarten (entering at age 4) is free, though.

In fact, even in dual-income families, if there are many children, many families think that "it's cheaper to take care of the children at home than to work."

―So it's not necessarily the case that you return to work immediately after giving birth.

That's right. In Switzerland, rather than returning to work immediately after giving birth, there is a strong system of family and community support for children. There are childcare support centers in the community with midwives on staff, where you can get advice on parenting. Midwives, neighbors, family. The spirit of "co-parenting," where everyone raises children together, balances rationality and warmth.

It's most reassuring to be told that "it's okay to raise children at your own pace." I think Switzerland is a country with that kind of atmosphere.

Swiss landscape (provided by Ai)

[Overseas Parenting Column - Switzerland]
Vol. 1 A diverse international society - accepting differences and living together
Vol. 2 Pregnancy and childbirth experiences - rational and warm care supporting "postpartum care at home"
Vol. 3 Education that fosters "independence," "self-assertion," and "creativity"
Vol. 4 Living in a multicultural and natural environment
Vol. 5 Establishing clear "family rules"
Vol. 6 Re-examining "work" in daily life

Family Dialogue・Column