Video gallery
Women who have already had children frequently express the feeling that there is a lack of information on how to experience childbirth and how they realize – sometimes a posteriori– the silence and taboos that very often accompany this vital process. Sharing stories about childbirth and pregnancy can help other women to know what to expect, but it is also a way to integrate the moment of childbirth in the cycle of a woman’s life, as an opportunity to discuss fears, worries, absences or disappointments and, also, to acknowledge every woman’s own strengths and capacities.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses
Editor: Brigitta Soraperra
Film production: Markus Götsch
commissioned by the Frauenmuseum Hittisau, 2020
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Isolde Adamek
Isolde Adamek, born in 1957 in Bludenz, special needs kindergarten teacher, adult educator.
Isolde talks about the midwife at Schwaz Hospital who taught her how to bear a child, why intuition and individual care during delivery mattered to her and how she sees today’s young women.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Ayse Yildirim and Nurgül Ünal
Ayse Yildirim, born in 1950 in Giresun/Turkey/ textile worker.
Nurgül Ünal, born in 1987 in Feldkirch, wedding planner and interpreter.
Mother Ayse und her daughter Nurgül talk about various Muslim customs related to birth, the importance of breast-feeding for Turkish women and draw parallels between Muslim and Christian religion.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Simon Hofer
Simon Hofer, born in 1980 in Bregenz, boatbuilder, wood craftsman, musician.
Simon talks about the experience of his children being born from the father’s perspective, tells why he and his partner opted the second child to be born at home, the meaning preparation for the birth had for each of the parents and why trust was the best remedy against fear.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Verena Susanne Daum
Verena Susanne Daum, born in 1964 in Bregenz, journalist and author
Verena talks about her decision to have children very late, the demanding hormone treatments in the USA and Vorarlberg and what she believes necessary for allowing women to lead a self-determined life.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Aida Fattah
Aida Fattah, born in 1991 in Accra/Ghana, doula.
Aida talks about the birth situation in Ghana, explains what a doula (birth companion) actually does, the importance of confinement and which practices known from her country of origin are significant for every woman giving birth.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Angela Schiemer
Angela Schiemer, born in 1950 in Bregenz, Specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry.
Angela talks about giving birth to six children and the very different experiences of delivery at a hospital, maternity home and her own home between 1973 and 1988. She speaks about the child’s perspective as an expert and “the art of restraint” when caring for a woman during delivery.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Andrea Schwarz (01/04)
Andrea Schwarz, midwife, born in 1982 in Lustenau.
Midwife Andrea talks about the working conditions, her area(s) of responsibility and the personal challenges she had to face during assignments with „Doctors Without Borders” in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Kenya (Nairobi) and Lebanon (Beirut) between 2011 and 2016.
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Andrea Schwarz (02/04)
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Andrea Schwarz (03/04)
Interviews with Contemporary Witnesses: Andrea Schwarz (04/04)
