Thousands of expectant mothers in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are being offered one-off grants to help them meet the costs of pregnancy during the credit crunch.

Woman with babies due on or after April 6 2009 are eligible for a £190 health in pregnancy grant, a tax-free Government payment to help them deal with the extra financial burden of pregnancy.

Pregnant women can claim the money – after receiving health advice from a midwife or doctor – if they are at least 25 weeks pregnant.

The aim of the grant is to help women meet the increasingly expensive costs of a healthy lifestyle while they are pregnant which, particularly in the last months before giving birth, is important for the health and development of their child.

All mums-to-be have to do is to fill in a claim form and send it off within 31 days.

When the claim is approved the money is paid directly into their bank or building society account.

Women who apply in the first three months of the year will get the grant in April.

"We understand that the run up to a birth is an expensive time for families," said Stephen Timms, financial secretary to the Treasury.

"The new health in pregnancy grant will help expectant mums meet these extra costs and give their child the best possible start in life.

"It's very easy to make a claim and pregnant women can spend the cash on whatever they like, including fresh fruit and vegetables, nappies or even a pram or baby bath. It's their choice."

The grant will not affect any other tax credit or benefits expectant mums might be receiving and payment will not be dependent on household income.

The measures were originally announced in November 2007 as part of an initiative to encourage mothers to eat healthily during pregnancy.

The latest figures suggest that almost 6,000 children were born to mothers living in Bristol in 2007, with a further 2,300 born in North Somerset and 3,004 in South Gloucestershire.