With the third trimester of my third pregnancy rapidly approaching I’ve been treated to a surprise – and very welcome – delivery.

A beautiful box tied up with a bow courtesy of parenting experts Emma’s Diary and Bepanthen, who thought it might cheer me up. They were right!

It occurred to me, as I pulled off the ribbon and peeked inside, that this is the first time I’ve been treated to anything recognising the fact that I’m a mum-to-be in this pregnancy.

A gorgeous mum-to-be delivery from @officialemmasdiary – can’t wait to open it! #baby #bump #pregnancy #bepanthen #surprise #treat #blog #blogger #pbloggers #pbloggersuk

A photo posted by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on Nov 3, 2016 at 7:31am PDT

In my previous pregnancies I was sent flowers, treated to massages and given tummy rub oils by friends and family, but this time around the fact I’m growing a baby hasn’t really been acknowledged in the same way – the novelty has worn off I think!

Which made the gift from Emma’s Diary and Bepanthen all the more special because I was touched to know they were thinking of me. I’ve written before about the best gifts for new mums, and this latest delivery got me thinking about the best gifts for expectant mums.

The best gifts for expectant mums

1. A do-it-yourself hamper. Fill a nice box or basket with things you know she’ll love and might not buy herself – her favourite chocolate, her favourite tea or her favourite bath and skincare products. My gift box from Emma’s Diary and Bepanthen included a gorgeous scented candle from John Lewis, handmade violet and rose chocolates by Holdsworth and a luxury bath bomb, as well as some Bepanthen nappy ointment for the baby when he or she arrives. We’re big fans of Bepanthen in our house so this will be put to good use!

2. Mama Mio skincare. I adore this brand which is specifically for pregnant mums and I’ve used it in all three of my pregnancies. The products are gorgeous – my favourite is their Gorgeous Glow balancing facial wash – and they do some brilliant bundles too. Organic face oils are also great for re-balancing hormonal skin and giving you that pre and post pregnancy glow.

3. A pregnancy massage. There’s nothing like a tailor-made massage to soothe that lower back and ease those aching legs, especially in the later stages of pregnancy when you’re not sleeping so well and things start to get uncomfy.

4. Reflexology. I’ve been having a reflexology session once a month since I discovered I was pregnant and it’s fabulous. A bit like a massage you’ll feel relaxed, reenergised and will sleep like a baby afterwards.

5. Something for baby. This week I was treated to a sneak peek of the new spring/summer 2017 collection from Mothercare, and it’s full of gems. Forget candy pink and baby blue – Mothercare has undergone something of a makeover since I first started shopping there and now you’ll find everything from Julien Macdonald babygros to Jools Oliver’s Little Bird range.

One of my favourite things in the new collection is a Little Bird rainbow baby bodysuit (£8 – so called because a baby born following a miscarriage or neonatal loss is often referred to as a ‘rainbow baby’) in collaboration with the baby loss charity Tommy’s. One pound from the sale of each bodysuit goes directly to the charity and I think this would make a perfect gift whether the baby in question is a rainbow baby or not because Tommy’s is such a great cause, and one close to my heart after losing two babies myself.

A sneak peek at the @mothercareuk SS17 collection – including this gorgeous #littlebirdbyjools #rainbow babygro in collaboration with @Tommys_baby – #wish I’d had one for my #rainbowbaby! #baby #bump #pregnancy #miscarriage #motherhood #welcometotheclub #coolmumclub #fashion #snaphappybritmums @britmums @LittleBirdbyJools @joolsoliver

A photo posted by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on Nov 10, 2016 at 1:15am PST

Were you treated to anything special during your pregnancies? What’s the best gift you’ve given or received?

This is a collaborative post.