Every new mother is to receive guidance about money from this summer, under a scheme run by the UK finance watchdog.
Every new mother is to receive guidance about money from this summer, under a scheme run by the UK finance watchdog.
The Financial Services Authority will distribute packs giving information on topics such as budgeting, benefits and childcare options.
The Financial Services Authority will distribute packs giving information on topics such as budgeting, benefits and childcare options.
The FSA thinks some families could save themselves hundreds of pounds by using the guides, which are being rolled out UK-wide after successful trials.
The FSA thinks some families could save themselves hundreds of pounds by using the guides, which are being rolled out UK-wide after successful trials.
Midwives will pass them on in the early stages of pregnancy.
Midwives will pass them on in the early stages of pregnancy.
Action taken
Action taken
The Parent's Guide to Money (PGM) also addresses topics such as maternity leave and how to save through Child Trust Funds.
The Parent's Guide to Money (PGM) also addresses topics such as maternity leave and how to save through Child Trust Funds.
People with access to a computer can use a CD-Rom to work out a budget or see how much tax credit they might get.
People with access to a computer can use a CD-Rom to work out a budget or see how much tax credit they might get.
The information is credited with giving greater financial confidence, especially to young and less financially well-off parents-to-be FSA report
The information is credited with giving greater financial confidence, especially to young and less financially well-off parents-to-be FSA report
The pilot guide was distributed to about 1,500 prospective parents through employers, children's centres and to pregnant women directly.
The pilot guide was distributed to about 1,500 prospective parents through employers, children's centres and to pregnant women directly.
Chris Pond, from the FSA, said: "We want people to have real confidence in dealing with their finances and not feel a bit anxious and stressed, especially at a time when a new baby arrives."
Chris Pond, from the FSA, said: "We want people to have real confidence in dealing with their finances and not feel a bit anxious and stressed, especially at a time when a new baby arrives."
'Positive impact'
'Positive impact'
The FSA said nearly 70% of the mothers-to-be who had taken part in the trials reported that they went on to take some sort of action as a result.
The FSA said nearly 70% of the mothers-to-be who had taken part in the trials reported that they went on to take some sort of action as a result.
Some 89% felt they had benefited from reading the guide and had found the information useful.
Some 89% felt they had benefited from reading the guide and had found the information useful.
Parenting groups say the pack alerts them to benefit entitlements and to think about saving and budgeting.
Parenting groups say the pack alerts them to benefit entitlements and to think about saving and budgeting.
Sally Russell from the parenting website netmums.com told BBC News 24 there were a lot of good aspects to the guide.
Sally Russell from the parenting website netmums.com told BBC News 24 there were a lot of good aspects to the guide.
She said: "There are lots of things to consider which you don't think about until you've had the baby - that's what I liked about the pack - it allows you to think about the issues in advance, which is good.
She said: "There are lots of things to consider which you don't think about until you've had the baby - that's what I liked about the pack - it allows you to think about the issues in advance, which is good.
"It encourages people to talk together and work things out together."
"It encourages people to talk together and work things out together."
The FSA says the guides will be distributed to new parents-to-be in England from the summer and will be extended across the UK in 2009.
Are you a new mother? What do you think about this scheme? Send us your comments using the form below:
Are you a new mother? What do you think about this scheme? Send us your comments using the form below:
