PREGNANCY is supposed to bring a special bloom to the skin, lustre to the hair and major enhancement in the bosom department.

I'm not entirely convinced that this was my experience - my memories lean more towards bovine brain, large lump and aching feet. Any extra comfort would have been welcome.

Earlier this year, TV doctor and broadcaster Miriam Stoppard was in town launching a new range of skincare products she had developed for Waitrose, especially designed to look after the delicate skin of mums-to-be.

Journal Woman was given a selection of products, including Tummy Massage Oil, Foot Refreshing Gel, Replenishing Hand Cream, Moisturising Body and Hair Wash and Pampering Body Lotion, from the Nurture range, to try.

We pitted them against products from two others makers, Neal's Yard Remedies and Linda Anousta, who are also keen to emphasise, as Dr Stoppard is, how natural and safe their products are for pregnant skin.

Three willing testers, who live within a mile of one another in the New Forest, volunteered and spent the summer slathering on potions and lotions as their bumps grew bigger.

The Linda Anousta products went to mother-of-two Sarah Risebrow, who is probably in labour with her third baby even as we go to print. Rachel Fletcher, mother to 22 month-old Alexander and expecting her second child any day now, got the Neal's Yard items. Carrie Darke, two-year-old Georgia's mum, took the Nurture range. Her second little girl, Katherine Eleanor, arrived in early September.

Carrie was impressed by most of the Nurture range and found the foot refreshing gel smooth to apply, easily absorbed and "nice to rub into tired legs as well as feet."

Both she and Rachel found their tummy massage oils had a pleasant citrus smell, but were both on the rich side and therefore best used at night just before going to bed.

"But it's very relaxing and therapeutic to be stroking the bump before going to sleep," says Rachel.

Carrie said she could still feel the moisturing effect of Nurture's Pregnant Skin Tummy Massage Oil in the morning.

Sarah was less impressed with the smell and texture of the Linda Anousta Anti-Stretch Mark Oil, which includes vitamins A and E, borage oil and organic thistle oil, but said it absorbed well.

It was the smell ("like joss sticks") that put her off, but she found it was not at all greasy. Neal's Yard Seaweed and Arnica Foaming Bath - revitalising and restorative to enjoy when tired or over-exerted, it says on the label - was a hit with Rachel, despite its slightly medicinal fragrance.

"Not lots of bubbles, but just now I don't want to be covered in bubbles."

I'd rather have purer ingredients and not lots of chemicals there to make lather and it leaves my skin feeling moisturised after a bath," she says.

However, it was precisely the lack of lather that disappointed both Carrie and Sarah with their bath products.

The Nurture and Neal's Yard products got the seal of approval, but Linda Anousta got a thumbs down from our tester. Sometimes, mother knows best.

The Nurture range is available exclusively from Waitrose. Neal's Yard Remedies is situated on the Cheese Market in Salisbury. Linda Anousta Products are available by mail-order or on www.anousta.co.uk