Sabrina Paparone, Active member

Year of birth: 1987
Family situation: Married
Children: 2021 & 2022

Occupation & current work:
I am a mother of two children and, as a prenatal coach and doula, I support women through pregnancy and childbirth. My heartfelt purpose is to accompany and emotionally strengthen women during pregnancy, after birth and through the challenging phases of motherhood.

Hobbies:
I have a strong interest in personal development, pregnancy, birth, motherhood, inner work and holistic health. I also enjoy spending time with my family, being out in nature, and exploring topics around healing, the body, emotions and the nervous system. I'm also studying various topics related to neurodivergent children.

First signs:
Through my own very distressing pregnancy experiences (severe hyperemesis gravidarum), I came to understand just how important emotional support, early help and being taken seriously really are. After giving birth, I realised how deeply the pregnancy, the birth and the early period of motherhood had affected me emotionally. At times I felt exhausted, overwhelmed and deeply burdened inside.

Duration:
These difficult experiences stayed with me throughout both pregnancies and beyond. The emotional processing took longer and became an important part of my healing journey.

Triggers:
A major trigger was the intense physical and emotional strain of two hyperemesis pregnancies. I also noticed how hard it is not to feel adequately accompanied, understood or emotionally held during such a sensitive time.

Summary of my story:
I went through two pregnancies with hyperemesis. This was an intensely physical and emotional time, and it showed me how alone women can feel during a difficult pregnancy. I experienced first-hand how important it is to be seen and accompanied not only medically, but emotionally too. From this grew my desire to lovingly support and accompany women through pregnancy, birth and motherhood. For Periparto Switzerland, I lead the online discussion group «When pregnancy is hard – exchange among those with lived experience» (in German), and as a prenatal coach and doula, I accompany women through pregnancy and childbirth.

Reaction of my social circle:
My social circle didn't always truly understand how distressing this time was for me. I experienced first-hand how hyperemesis is often underestimated, and how women are expected to keep functioning even as they reach their physical and inner limits. At the same time, there were people who stood by me and helped in their own way — especially my husband, father of our children!

Treatment:
For me, the physical symptoms of hyperemesis were at the forefront early on. Later, emotional processing became just as important. Conversations, reflection, inner work and coming to understand my own story helped me make sense of that period and heal.

Medications:
As I was unable to keep down food or fluids and was vomiting up to 15 times a day, it unfortunately became necessary for me to take certain medications for the severe nausea.

What really helped me:
Being taken seriously, talking openly about my experiences, and no longer suppressing my feelings — these were what helped most. Understanding, emotional support, inner work, rest, self-compassion, and the knowledge that I wasn't wrong and wasn't alone were especially valuable to me.

My insight:
My most important insight is that women in pregnancy and motherhood deserve to be seen, held and emotionally accompanied far more than they currently are. A difficult pregnancy isn't only physically demanding — it can leave deep marks on the soul. Today, I want to turn this experience into something meaningful, and support other women with greater understanding, compassion and steadiness.