Christina Hurst-Prager

Initially working in the hospitality industry, I discovered the fascinating time of birth, breastfeeding, and parenting through the birth of my first child, Alex; two more children, Trevor and Clarissa, followed. They now have families of their own, and I am a grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of one, with a second one on their way.

Advancing home birthing and breastfeading

In 1973, I brought the breastfeeding support organisation La Leche League to Switzerland when breastfeeding was very low. Most mothers wanted to nurse their newborn babies, but the information and handling in the 1970s practically programmed mothers for failure.

Counseling young mums I started to realise of the importance of the birth experience for mums, babies, and the whole family. As a result I started to also teach birth preparation and parenting classes and accompanied birthing couples as a doula.

I wrote a few articles for parenting and women’s magazines.

Upon her suggestion, Julia Jus, also a ‚good birth’ advocate, and I planned, organised, and held five International Congresses in Zurich called Birth in Safety and Security (Gebären in Sicherheit und Geborgenheit). We attracted the cream of the crop of scientists and professionals on the frontier of (birthing/breastfeeding/gynecology) as speakers and presenters.

why me

Through my intensive involvement with my own children, childbirth preparations classes, attending home as well as hospital births as a doula, breast-feeding counseling, working with babies as a craniosacral therapist, attending countless conferences as well as seminars and workshops on pre- and peri-natal topics, I have developed a deep sensitivity and insights into the needs and expressions of babies and the turbulent times parents can experience in this first days, weeks, and months.

The beginnings of life continue to fascinate me.