Frequently asked questions

• Childbirth is a defining moment that marks the beginning of a new phase of life.
• We midwives view pregnancy and birth as healthy and natural events. We support you in all phases of the birth.
• Natural birth has many advantages for mother and child: fewer complications, intensive bonding, higher breastfeeding rates, better processing of the birth and lasting health benefits.
• You will receive empathetic, expert one-to-one care and will benefit from our midwives’ wealth of experience.
• We take time to address your concerns and questions and help you to develop a sense of confidence in your own ability to give birth.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends midwife-led birth for healthy pregnant women.

• Your general state of health is good.
• Your pregnancy means that spontaneous birth is to be expected.
• You have not previously had a caesarean section.
• You are prepared to have at least two antenatal check-ups at the birthing centre.
• Your baby is in the head-down position.
• You are not expecting more than one baby.
• Your placenta is not too close to or covering your cervix.
• You do not have gestational diabetes that requires you to take insulin.
• Your BMI before pregnancy is lower than 35
• You are between 4 weeks before and two weeks after your due date.

The birthing centre is 7 minutes by car from Wetzikon, 40 minutes from Winterthur, 27 minutes from Rapperswil, 25 minutes from Männedorf and 18 minutes from Uster. People come here from a large area, including other cantons. In our experience, good communication is essential and you can phone us at any time to get our opinion.

To register for natural birth (see the admission criteria) we recommend you to have an ultrasound scan to determine the location of the placenta. In the 36th week of pregnancy, with your permission, we perform a very short scan to confirm that the baby is in the head-down position.

For healthy pregnant women and their babies, birth at a birthing centre is just as safe as a hospital birth. The most important factors in safe childbirth are professional monitoring, continuous care and emotional security.

• At the birthing centre, we do not intervene to speed up the birth.
• This is reflected in the statistics: a majority of women who give birth at birthing centres do not suffer perineal injuries, and newborn complications are rare.
• One-to-one midwife care is guaranteed throughout the birth, meaning that the mother always has someone by her side to provide empathetic support and expert medical monitoring.
• The caesarean rate at birthing centres is significantly lower (6.7% versus an average of 37% in Switzerland); even taking into account the fact that birthing centres do not accept high-risk pregnancies, the caesarean rate is still significantly lower).

Both mother and baby are closely monitored throughout the pregnancy. If any risk factors arise, we work together with other healthcare professionals and specialists to determine whether giving birth at the birthing center is the best option, or if another setting would be safer.

No, there is no doctor on site. Our midwives are specially trained experts who focus on caring for women throughout pregnancy, natural childbirth, and the postnatal period. We maintain strong relationships with regional medical partners who are consulted for advice during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period when indicated.

Throughout your pregnancy, we take great care to ensure that giving birth at our birthing centre is the right and safest choice for you. If it turns out that another setting would be better for your needs, we will gently guide you to a suitable clinic within our trusted network.

Complications are very rare in healthy pregnancies, especially with the dedicated, one-to-one support our experienced midwives provide. They are skilled at recognizing any potential concerns early on and will act quickly to keep you and your baby safe. You can feel confident knowing you are in caring and capable hands every step of the way.

If a transfer becomes necessary, it is identified early on. Our experienced midwives have a deep understanding of the natural process of childbirth and are highly skilled at noticing any signs that something may not be progressing as expected. If a transfer is needed, it is carried out smoothly and according to our established guidelines, always in close collaboration with our trusted partner hospitals. You can feel reassured knowing that your safety and well-being are our top priorities at every step.

This is not the usual practice as the birthing centre team works in shifts. You will get to know many of the midwives during the antenatal check-ups. However, we also offer a continuous care model, please let us know if you would prefer this variation.

Yes, during Pregnancy and birth when indicated, we do not use it routinely or continuously. We check the baby’s heart rate at regular intervals, using a foetal Doppler, this allows intuitive freedom of movement and position. 

Only if very clearly indicated.  Since we do not intervene to speed up the birth at the birthing centre, the body has sufficient time to stretch and open up properly. Our episiotomy rate has been less than 1% since the beginning. See our statistics for more information.

Our midwives are trained to perform the first examination shortly after the baby’s birth (U1 ) and to check the child’s welfare and development on a daily basis. We have cooperation agreements with a paediatrician in Wetzikon and the neonatal unit at the Winterthur Cantonal Hospital (KSW). We recommend a visit to the pediatrician within the first 7-10 days after the birth, including the hearing test.

Mothers stay at the birthing centre for five days after giving birth, allowing time to rest and bond with their baby in a peaceful setting. If you choose to give birth in a hospital or at home, you are also warmly welcome to come to the birthing centre for your postnatal recovery.

If you feel you would benefit from a longer stay, our hotel offers you the option to extend your time here, so you can continue to enjoy comfort and support for as long as you need.

Statistics for 2o24 

Will be added here soon, for now check out the German page!

What are the advantages of breastfeeding?

Benefits for the baby:

• Optimal nutrition and healthy development
• Breast milk provides all the necessary nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins) in the right proportions and is easily digestible. It supports the baby’s healthy development and provides the best possible start in life.
• Strengthens the immune system:
  Breastfeeding protects the baby from many infections because breast milk contains antibodies and live immune cells that protect the child from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
• Improved brain development:
  Studies have shown that breastfeeding is beneficial for the baby’s brain development. The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as DHA) in breast milk are particularly important for brain growth and development.
• Long-term health benefits:
  Breastfed babies have a reduced risk of many chronic diseases later in life, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity, asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular disease.
• Promotes healthy weight gain:
  Breastfeeding helps regulate the baby’s weight gain and reduces the risk of later obesity.

Benefits for the mother:

• Faster recovery and health promotion:
  Breastfeeding stimulates the production of oxytocin, which contributes to uterine involution and reduces postpartum bleeding.
• Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer.
• Strengthens the mother-child bond:
  Breastfeeding promotes the emotional bond between mother and child, leading to a positive relationship and providing the child with a sense of comfort and security.
• Preventing obesity:
  Breastfeeding can help regulate maternal weight after birth by stimulating calorie burn and supporting metabolism.
• Maternal mental health:
  Studies have shown that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of postpartum depression by promoting maternal well-being and supporting hormonal balance.

Benefits for society and the environment:

• Cost savings:
  Breastfeeding reduces the cost of baby formula and medical treatment because breastfed babies are less likely to get sick. Families also avoid the cost of purchasing bottles or special baby formula.
• Environmentally friendly:
  Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly because it requires no packaging, no preparation of formula, and no energy for heating.
• Reduced risk of overburdening the healthcare system:
  Because breastfeeding mothers are less likely to get sick and their babies require less medical attention, breastfeeding also helps reduce the burden on the healthcare system.