The care model, called "caseload midwifery", is well known in other parts of the world but unusual in Sweden. This means that a small group of midwives will follow the expectant mother from the first visit to the maternity care up to the delivery clinic, which has proven to be positive for the mother and children and reduce childbirth fears.

Six midwives divided into two work teams should follow approximately 280 pregnant women per year. In this way, every woman gets to know three midwives, one of whom will be present at birth.

- It gets very personal. When the aches start, call your midwife who comes to you and check the situation. It can be really nice if you are worried. Then she comes in with BB, says Mia Ahlberg, nursing manager at Karolinska University Hospital for pregnancy and childbirth.

Mia Ahlberg, who is one of the project managers, is also chair of the Children's Association.

"There are lots of causes for childbirth fear"

Having one and the same midwife throughout the process creates security, she says. Often childbirth fears are a general concern, rather than fear of childbirth.

- The turmoil can be powerful and enormously painful. There are lots of causes for childbirth fear, but we have seen that secondary childbirth fear increases, after the first child, and that is a sign that we must do something. If you are scared of your first childbirth, we have done something wrong.

Mia Ahlberg is also chair of the Midwife Association and sees benefits for the midwives as well.

- It is something that has been in demand for a long time, that you want more continuity and to be involved during pregnancy, childbirth and aftercare. But it's hard to work like a midwife today, it's so divided. At the same time, there are challenges in this, you work on-call and it is not we midwives are used to. Some personal conditions are required.

More women should receive the same help

The project in Huddinge is partly aimed at women with childbearing fears, but Mia Ahlberg hopes that more women will be able to have the same midwife throughout the pregnancy.

- It is not just 280 women who get this opportunity, it is not our final dream. I don't think everyone wants or needs this, but I wish everyone who wanted to have this opportunity. We have come so far in childbirth care that we can now start working on the softer values.