This is a really pretty website offering a very good choice for expectant mothers, babies and young children. The drop-down menus on the home page take you quickly and clearly to everything you might be looking for, whether it's maternity occasionwear or safety gates for young children. There’s a good range of maternity underwear and swimwear as well. They have some very good gift ideas and offer gift vouchers and gift boxes as well to make your life easier.

Melba offer a great place to buy high quality basics for reasonable prices, so take a look round at their great t-shirts and tops which come in lots of colourways, stretch jeans and trousers and easy dresses and skirts (plus lingerie and swimwear). There are lots of views of each item so you can see exactly what you’re buying, they’ll deliver worldwide and offer express delivery within the UK.

This is one of those websites where you really don’t know where to start, it’s so busy on the home page. To make life easy go to the drop down menu on the left and click on the product you’re looking for, whether it’s nursing sleepwear, lingerie or Pretty Pop Drops (first time I’ve come across those). There’s a Baby Shop, Book Shop and sale area here as well to choose from and the prices are very good.

On this website there are two ranges, one for tinies and one for maternity, so you need to click through from the choice at the foot of the home page to make sure you’re in the right place. Here you can find some good, reasonably priced maternity essentials, lingerie, a small range of swimwear and changing bags from Skip Hop and Oi Oi. Then there's a good choice for babies as well. It’s a very easy to use website so if you’d rather look somewhere where the range isn’t too huge, start here.

This is the place to have a look round if you’re searching for a Little Black Dress as their selection is excellent. They also have a wide range of tops from chic strapless and halter numbers to basic t-shirt and polo shirt shapes, flattering stretchy knitwear and a choice of basic skirts and trousers. There’s a small but stylish collection of resortwear as well.

Find excellent maternitywear here on this really prettily photographed website where the collection is stylish and different and the prices reasonable. You can choose from the latest looks, maternity essentials and glamorous partywear and as well as all of this there's lingerie by Elle Mcpherson, Nougatine and Canelle, gorgeous layettes for newborn babies and Tommy's Ts. Delivery takes up to five working days; you'll find postage costs for the UK and EU on the website and email them for elsewhere.

Here you’ll find smart and quite unusual maternitywear including dresses and chic separates. It's quite a small range but very stylish so if you're looking for something for a special occasion you should have a click round. There are also beautiful maternity wedding dresses and a sale area where there are usually some very good discounts. They deliver worldwide and offer a next day and Saturday delivery service for the UK.

Get past the name of this online maternity retailer and take a look at their well priced range of workwear, eveningwear, casual separates and leisurewear from brands such as Arabella B, Melba, Piccu and Carriwell. There’s a lot to choose from although some of the pictures don’t do the clothes justice (to my mind), however you may well find something here.

This online retailer, based in Bristol, stands out for its selection of holiday separates, from pretty tops and shorts to jersey dresses and linen tailoring. Wardrobe essentials include pretty tops and camis, denim skirts, jeans and wrap over shirts and there’s a small selection of lingerie as well plus pampering treats. They also offer lots of information on maternity dressing including a list of the essential items you’ll need to buy first.

Here's an ultra modern, fun, young and often funky website offering you a very good selection of maternity clothing (and just about the only one of the high street stores to do so). You’ll find party dresses to sleek and simple wrap dresses, pretty camisoles and leggings and very good casual separates. The website is very clear and easy to use the separates are also extremely reasonable. They offer you the options of 48 hour or next day delivery. Go shop.

Here you can choose from two styles of jacket, long or short, long or short skirt and stretch maternity trousers. There are pretty stretch silk wrap tops and shirts and more basic t-shirts, all of which would work together with the tailored pieces. Check here too for smart eveningwear, a small collection of lingerie and nightwear and basic denim jeans and jacket.

You can choose from a wide range here, and not just for work, but the tailoring styles are excellent so this would be a good place to start. There are at least three styles of jackets with matching trousers or skirts, great tops and shirts to go with, plus excellent separates and knitwear. If you want to invest in a Little Black Dress this is the place to look too as there are lots to choose from.

This US based online retailer is particularly strong in both well priced tailoring in some different fabrics I think you’ll be very pleased to see and activewear, with a really good choice of yoga, cargo and fleece pull on pants, zip front jackets, wraps, tunics and hoodys so whether you want to look chic at the gym right up to the last minute or just have some stylish separates to lounge about in you can.

Wondermummy has a special section for businesswear, where there are pinstriped suits, simple tops and skirts, formal trousers and cross over tops in several colours (including black and white). Although this is very much only part of the range, so many maternity boutiques seem to leave the work angle out altogether that this definitely merits a look. Browse Active as well for well priced easy pieces.

Whether you want fishnets and crochet tights, bright colours, knee highs, stay-ups, stockings or footsies you’ll find them all here plus leg warmers, socks and flight sock, maternity and bridal hosiery. This website really caters for all your hosiery needs and with names such as Aristoc, Pretty Polly and Charnos offered you should never run out again. As an extra benefit delivery is free in the UK and takes only 1-2 days.

You may initially think that you don’t want to order maternity wear from overseas, however when you consider the prices here (ok you will have to pay duty, but even so) you should definitely think about it, particularly with activewear, where fit is even easier than in most other areas. The sports/activewear collection here is seriously well priced so do take a look.

Once again the US comes up trumps with this really excellent website specialising in maternity activewear, offering everything from a great yoga and basic fitness collection to sports bras, swimwear, maternity tennis dresses and fitness unitards. There’s also lots of information on exercise and pregnancy plus a special offer section.

This company combines great attention to detail, high quality fabrics and pretty designs in their well priced maternity section, covering everything from eveningwear and separates to sleepwear and swimwear. There’s a small but very chic collection of clothes to relax in and as the pricing is so reasonable you should definitely take a look. They only deliver to the UK but you can click through to their US based site.

Blossom caters for the fashion conscious expectant mum, by combining high-end fashion, comfort and functionality without sacrificing quality or style. You'll also find designer jeans such as James, Rock & Republic and 7 For All Mankind customised with their exclusive Blossom Band. Their luxurious collections include ready to wear, lingerie, denim, swimwear, and organic baby. For AW 2007 they will offer a collection of ready to wear and baby designed by Clements Ribeiro exclusively for Blossom.

This is without a doubt one of the most famous US based maternity stores, offering both their own well priced range plus designer selections by Tocca, Lily Pulizer, Jucy Couture, Diane von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson and lots more plus premium denim brands such as Citizens of Humanity and Paige. Take a look at their Celebrity Red Carpet which includes actresses such as Holly Hunter, Maggie Gyllenhall and Diane Farr wearing their gowns then choose something for yourself.

As you’d expect, with such a large market (no pun intended) some of the US maternitywear stores are really excellent. This one is no exception with designs by Diane von Furstenberg, Olian, Susana Monaco and Paige and a fab selection in all areas, from dresses to jeans, lingerie, nightwear and swimwear. Order a couple of pieces early to check on the sizing or email them with any queries. Delivery is expensive but with a choice like this it’s well worth having a good look.

This is a very small collection of maternity wear whose main strength lies in the occasion dresses. So if you’ve somewhere very special to go and you simply can’t zip up that slinky little black dress anymore take a look round here. Styles include everything from full length lace evening gowns to smart little cocktail dresses, and sizes go from 10 up to 20.

Just to offer you something a bit different this online retailer is based in Australia, so there are some brands here that you’re unlikely to come across anywhere else. There’s colourful activewear (think berry, olive and navy blue), with hoodies and sweatshirts plus yoga pants and jeans, great 2 Chix and I Maternity logo t-shirts and some really pretty dresses. They offer a currency converter (useful as everything is priced in Australian Dollars) and delivery is not over priced.

Creation Maternity offers a small but cleverly thought out range of maternity dresses and separates that take you from day to evening with ease. The collection includes pretty layered dresses in a choice of colours, chiffon halter tops, jersey wrap dresses and work-perfect trousers and shirts. Just about everything is machine washable and nothing will break the bank.

Isabella Oliver is a maternity wear company for pregnant women who love clothes. Their sexy designs in soft jersey fabrics have signature style details like ruching and wrapping to flatter new curves. Every item comes gift wrapped and their brochure and website include style tips to pick up on the season’s trends. You can see each item as a model shot, drawing and also using their really clever and innovative catwalk animation. As well as day and evening separates you can buy lingerie, loungewear, sophisticated sleepwear, chic outerwear, sun and swimwear.

Inevitably Marks and Spencer have a small but very good range of maternity wear from which you can choose some great essentials. Best here are the modern tops, from double layered tops and t-shirts, casual trousers and jeans, basic bras and excellent hosiery. Although delivery from here isn’t necessarily the fastest so you need to order early, you’re bound to find some of your basics at M & S and keep coming back to check the range as it’s updated all the time.

If there’s a maternity designer that Due doesn’t stock, it’s probably not worth looking for it. This is a superb range of maternity clothing from a company based in the US offering worldwide express delivery. There are lots of brand I haven’t heard of but with C & C California, Chip and Pepper and Paige Premium Denim in there I’m sure you’ll find something. Obviously you need to be more careful when buying from so far away (as you don’t really want to have to send things back) but the choice of easier to fit items and nursing tops and lingerie is vast and most of it you won’t find available here. Give it a go.

The aim of maternity designer basics retailer Forty Weeks is to offer you contemporary, streamlined design combined with great fabrics (and reasonable pricing) to create a wardrobe that can be worn before, during and after pregnancy. There’s a wide selection of colours and styles which would work perfectly with the more formal pieces of your new wardrobe and, unlike many things you buy now, you’ll almost certainly want to wear them afterwards. Take advantage of their home visiting service within the London area.

This is where to come if you're looking for simple, elegant maternitywear that will travel well and look great all the time as everything is made from soft, comfortable, luxury jersey, stretch lace and cord, from tops to trousers and skirts. You can also buy the Essential Maternity Wardrobe here which includes a go-anywhere trouser, elegant wrap top and glamorous versatile dress. There are really good line drawings of all the items to go with the photos so you can see the shapes more clearly.

An addition to their South London, Northcote Road boutique, the Pretty Pregnant website offers a mixture of fashion from excellent dresses for day and evening to casual separates, jeans, lingerie and swimwear. Brands include Bellybutton, Queen Mum, Fragile, Paige Premium Denim, Coralou and Boob. There is a lot to choose from so take a look round. You can also buy gifts, hosiery and nursing wear here.

The Push boutique in Islington specialises in designer maternity wear and a high level of customer service. Now you can buy the collection online from labels such as Earl Jean, Tashia, Alex Gore Brown, Cadeau, Citizens of Humanity, Leona Edmistion (gorgeous jersey dresses) and Juicy Couture. There's maternity hosiery and chic baby bags here as well. Select from Next Day or standard delivery (UK though they ship overseas as well) and if you have any queries don't hesitate to give them a call.

For choice and value you’d find it hard to beat this website, where the clothes are divided up into sections such as Outdoor and Exercise wear/Formalwear/ /Petite/Tall and Plus Size. There’s also swimwear and lingerie, so whether you're looking for a pair of soft white linen trousers or something for the Oscars, you'll almost certainly find it here - the evening and occasionwear is particularly good. This is international designer styled maternity wear and a very good collection.

There's a wide choice of well priced but good quality clothes for expectant mothers and babies on this fun, colourful website. Whether you're looking for casualwear or city clothes you’re sure to find something as they offer a wide range from sophisticated skirts and tops to lots of modern, casual options. There’s also information on how to dress with a bump and a monthly newsletter to sign up for so make this one of your your first stops for browsing when you're expecting a baby.

There are some very good brands here, including Arabella B, Fun Mum, Melba, Mama Mio, Amoralie, Preggie Pops and Mexican Bolas on this very attractive website. Choose from Lingerie, Clothes, Lotions and Potions and Everything Else to see the different ranges, read their excellent information sections on Pregnancy in Style, Health and Wellbeing and Week by Week Guides or use one of their Forums to share your experience. There’s a lot here, with the online shopping being a small part of the website.

Bumps Maternity was established several years ago to offer stylish and out of the ordinary maternity wear from occasion dressing to casual and holiday. It’s only available online and consists of a fun, well photographed range. This is not a huge selection but definitely merits clicking through as most items are very good value and they’ll ship all over the World. You can buy maternity lingerie and plus size clothes here as well.

This is a well designed, friendly and clearly photographed website offering beautifully cut and versatile separates and dresses in lovely fabrics and at reasonable prices. You’ll find tailoring, eveningwear and fashionable separates all aimed at the busy woman who wants to carry on with her normal life and look smart throughout her pregnancy and afterwards. There are just maternity clothes here so you’re not going to be sidetracked by the children’s clothes and accessories you’ll find on so many other sites.

Launched in March 2006 Definitely Baby offers a wide variety of comfortable, easy to wear items that can be dressed up or down, most of which have been designed to allow you to wear them throughout pregnancy and beyond. Check out the gorgeous silk dresses, feminine camis and easy to wear skirts and jeans – here you can put together a maternity wardrobe that’s wearable and not overpriced.

Dorothy Perkins clothes and accessories are modern and amazingly well priced using some natural fabrics and with sizing from 8 - 22 for most items. In their maternity department they offer mainly casual tops, tunics and trousers. Take a good look at the start of the season if you're likely to want something here as once a product has sold out they probably won't replace it, however they offer new styles online each week.

Here’s another US based maternity website with a marvellous choice in all areas, from chic tops and trousers to pretty dresses and an excellent selection of sportswear including zip front jackets and pull on pants. There’s also nursing lingerie and nightwear and pampering gifts for mothers to be and after the birth. Use their TruFit sizing chart to help you buy the right size. The shipping cost will depend on how much you spend and which service you choose.

Formes is a French company offering beautifully styled 'designer' pregnancy wear and selling all over the world. You won’t find their full collection here, but an edited range and it’s well worth looking through. Unlike a lot of the maternity shops here you’ll find all the information you could possibly want, from complete product detailing to fabric content and full measurements plus very clear pictures.

Calling themselves ‘High Street Fashion with a Bump’, will give you a good idea of what you’ll find here. This is really well priced, modern maternity shopping where you’re bound to find some great essential pieces; funky tops and cargo trousers, jeans and fun eveningwear. There’s also a small selection of nightwear.