There's a growing understanding that pregnancy nutrition can have profound effects on your health before conception, while you are carrying, and also post-natal.

Pregnancy nutrition will of course impact not only the mother, but also the baby to be, so it is crucial to get it right. There are a range of concerns in pregnancy nutrition, from the obvious ones such as alcohol consumption and smoking, to more subtle issues such as the effects of folic acid or omega 3.

There's a great range of books on offer to help you through this difficult and confusing time - some focus on herbs and holistic cooking, others emphasize a tie in to exercise (for example Pilates), while others are simply recipe books.

Indeed, recipe books are not to be sneezed at - too many books are full of information but fall short when it comes to the practicalities - i.e. what will you actually eat!

It pays to look at several different books to see which is right for you - a good mix of information, advice, and practical help (meal plans and recipes) will probably be the best approach to get you through what can be one of the most exciting and bewildering times in your life.