There is nothing more effective than an impending birth to make a couple anxiously review their budget. In with Tesco own-brand groceries and clothes swaps with friends, out with foreign trips and spa visits. But, even amid the credit crunch, is such restraint always wise? There is nothing like lumbering around under the weight of fast-growing offspring to make a lady - and her body - feel 150 years old. We test the rejuvenating qualities of six mum-to-be spa packages.

BARNSLEY HOUSE SPA

Location: Barnsley, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (01285 740000, barnsleyhouse.com)
Treatment: Mother-to-be aromatherapy full body massage
Cost: £80
Length: 1 hour
Products: REN

The spa at the gorgeous Barnsley House Hotel in the Cotswolds is seriously blissful: a new stand-alone building (not a basement cupboard) in Cotswold stone with glass walls and views over the fields and a fantastic heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool (sadly not recommended for pregnant ladies).

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The therapist was middle-aged, competent and silent – much better than a chatty school-leaver. The room was very calming - candle-lit and decorated with flowers, with cheesy flute music in the background – a pet hate, but maybe that’s just me.

The only difference between the mum-to-be treatment and a normal aromatherapy massage was that you lie on your side with a v-shaped pillow between your legs, turning over halfway through, rather than on your tummy. The oils smelt lovely and the massage itself was relaxing, but very light – the emphasis was definitely on relaxation rather than working out any knots or relieving back pain. And the bump was left well alone – possibly this is medically recommended, but my achy tummy muscles could have done with a rub.

Marks out of five: three

Best thing: the beautiful setting and uplifting atmosphere

Worst thing: the warbling flute music
Lucy Alexander

COMO SHAMBHALA URBAN ESCAPE

Location: Metropolitan Hotel, Old Park Lane, London (020-7447 1000, metropolitan.como.bz)
Treatment: Met mum-to-be overnight package, including pregnancy massage
Cost: £339 for the mum-to-be package, £80 for the massage on its own
Length: 1 hour massage
Products: Grapeseed oil

Pregnant ladies on self-indulgent shopping trips to Topshop Maternity at Oxford Circus might like to splash out on a night’s stay at the Metropolitan Hotel on Old Park Lane. It includes a double room (bring hubby or a friend), breakfast for two, a gift set of beauty products from Erbaviva (bath salts, massage oil and stretch mark oil), a maternity vest top plus 15 per cent discount voucher from HomeMummy (homemummy.co.uk) and, best of all, the massage. Dinner at Nobu and drinks at the Met Bar are definitely not included.

The hotel building is nothing special, and the view of the next-door Hilton from our window was uninspiring, but the staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly. Nowhere was this more evident than in the spa – a bland windowless basement, staffed by the wonderful Lisa, who will personalise the massage to your needs rather than churn out the same treatment for everyone. I was able to lie on my front, with the help of cleverly-arranged foam wedges which support the stomach, head and feet - very comfortable. The massage itself (back, shoulders, legs, arms and scalp) was both relaxing and, crucially, firm: knots were eased and tension dissolved.

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