On Wednesday I had another midwife’s appointment, hopefully my last one. Everything was looking good, as usual. She also confirmed that my application for a home birth has been approved, so we’re hopefully having a home birth this time again. (In Sweden women do have the right for a home birth, but you’ve got to pay for it out of your own pocket. Stockholm is the only region that compensates your costs, as long as you fulfil certain criteria – most notably they won’t cover a home birth for your first pregnancy.)

The practicalities are generally sorted. Work tasks have been finished or parked, I have emptied my drawers, and we had my farewell lunch today. We have a birth pool in the basement (unassembled). My mum has agreed to take care of Ingrid. The phone numbers to both midwives are on the fridge. Teensy nappies lie waiting in the bathroom.