What mum-to-be would not welcome some help during the eventful period while she prepares for her new arrival?

According to a report on ABC News, a new trend of hiring baby planners is allowing mothers to help share the responsibility of organising the baby shower, putting together a baby album and hiring the right nanny.

For example, inBloom is one company that is helping to carve out a niche in this expanding sector, offering services such as arranging christenings and finding a personal maternity shopper for busy mums.

"We do the legwork for families that allow them to enjoy pregnancy and be excited about the new addition to their family," Alden Rosen, co-founder of the company, told the news provider.

These firms can provide families with a variety of services - including some that may be a bit more unusual.

For example, new mother Lori Bloomberg described how she sought the help of a baby planning company because she wanted some glamorous photographs of her pregnant belly.

She follows in the footsteps of celebs such as Demi Moore, who was famously featured on the cover of Vanity Fair while pregnant.