Preparing the nursery is one of the many exciting parts of being pregnant.

It means your baby is nearly due and the whole thing is somehow becoming more real.

So, it's a little unfortunate the time when you want to shop is the time when your ankles start to balloon, your back muscles stage a revolt and your squashed lungs leave you puffing like a steam train.

You might like to do some of the legwork on the internet instead. Babies are big business in cyberspace and you'll find countless designs and makes, plus plenty of opportunities to compare prices.

Nursery Goods provides a one-stop-shop with all the latest products. There's a long list of categories which helpfully remains visible at the top of the screen.

There are seven ranges of self-assembly furniture in various types of pine and cherry wood, which can be purchased individually or as a set. Cots start from £89.99 and cotbeds from £119.99, while mattresses are available separately from £12.99 to £74.99.

There are fitted jersey sheets, cellular blankets and cozy fleece blankets in gorgeous colours like pistachio, apricot, vanilla and ocean at £12.99.

Delivery takes seven days and costs £3.95, although the details vary if you order furniture.

Mothercare's comprehensive range includes cots and cribs, mattresses, bedding, coordinated furniture and soft furnishings, all of which can be ordered via its slick and beautifully presented site. There are useful buying guides as well as tons of helpful features and your chosen items will be delivered in about four working days for £3.95.

For the funkiest nursery in town, or maybe just a few jazzy accessories, head for Urchin where there are loads of fun and practical ideas.

There are some alternative suggestions, like the cot with cotton fabric sides rather than wooden bars (£295) and the wall mounted changing table which can hold up to 50kg and be used as a desk when your child is older (£195).

Most items will be with you in 48 hours for £3.95.

Also worth a look is Planet Baby. Choose a hand-embroidered lampshade (£9.99), a brightly painted wooden musical box (£24.99) or perhaps some glow-in-the-dark stars for the ceiling (£5.99 for eight).

I liked the wooden bookends and peg racks with brightly painted animals on. But my favourites have to be the plastic-covered foam changing mats (£16.50) in a choice of patterns - goldfish, a blue sky with fluffy white clouds or a black and white cow print. It tries to deliver all orders within a day or so and charges £3.50.

www.nurserygoods.com.

www.mothercare.com.

www.urchin.co.uk.

www.planetbaby.co.uk.