Sophie's choice

So, the Countess of Wessex, is expecting a baby... There can be no doubt that Sophie will expect the very best. Anna Pasternak lists the shops and people that every discerning mum-to-be should know about.

VIVEKA

(020 7483 0099). This integrated health care centre is the place to hang out. Heather Mills and Macca were spotted slipping in three weeks ago. In a funky converted church school, this is where the well-connected attend antenatal, yoga and pilates classes, as well as sessions with hypno-birthing guru Dr Gowri Motha. As Sophie is 38, with an ectopic pregnancy behind her, she could relax in the hands of Bill Smith and Peter Twinings, the top ultrasound scanners in the country.

DR YEHUDI GORDON

at Viveka. The most sought-after obstetrician in London, Dr Gordon has held the hands of Kate Moss and Sadie Frost as they gave birth, not to mention a grateful Emma Thompson, who wrote the foreword to his bestseller, Births and Beyond.

9 LONDON (020 7838 0703).

A maternity wear house that is by appointment only. Liz Hurley, Davina
McCall and Donna Air have all rushed to this basement behind Harrods. It is the only place in London that stocks this summer's maternity must-have - a pair of white Earl maternity jeans at £175; Courteney Cox Arquette already has a pair. As well as the perfect maternity T-shirt by Tyler, the shop stocks Maria Grachvogel - her black chiffon bias-cut dress is fabulous, £800.

SKEATES

(07768 045917). The best kept antenatal secret is masseur Andrew Skeates. The Antipodean giant has already been vetted by Elle Macpherson's security team - as far as tracing him back to his schooldays in New Zealand - so Sophie could rest assured that no secrets of the royal derrière would turn up in the tabloids.

Prices vary according to where you live, but he would happily turn up at Bagshot Park with his bag of tricks. When Skeates cradles your pelvis to relieve spinestrain, it is sheer heaven.

HOSPITAL OF ST JOHN AND ST ELIZABETH

(020 7806 4000). Sophie could plump for "John and Lizzie's" in St John's Wood, where Kate Moss, Sharleen Spiteri, Sadie Frost, Jerry Hall, Cate Blanchett and Elle Macpherson all had natural births. Edward will be able to find a Really Useful role: hands-on partners are encouraged.

He can join Sophie au naturel in the birthing pool, then retire to the double-bedded rooms to snuggle up to his wife and their newborn. If Sophie is feeling under pressure from the inlaws, as part of the birthunit package - around £5,500 - a resident counsellor is on hand.