PARENTS-to-be across Worcestershire will have the opportunity to receive advice and information on a range of issues at special sessions to be held throughout this month.

The Worcester and Droit-wich Children Centres are to hold parent education sessions to coincide with this year's Pregnancy Health Month. These sessions are run in collaboration with Worcester Acute NHS Trust and Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and are welcomed by the Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partner-ship. The sessions are free to attend and parents-to-be can receive advice and information from trained professionals on preparing for labour and birth, breastfeeding, and the first days at home with the baby.

Worcestershire County Council's Family Information Service will also attend the sessions and officers will be on hand to offer support and advice on childcare options and financial support for parents-to-be wanting to return to education, training or employment. The officers will guide parents-to-be to other supporting agencies for advice and information.

The Family Information Service is also holding additional parents-to-be seminars. The seminars are held bi-monthly across Worcester city and provide parents with information on maternity and paternity rights and pay.

Expectant parents in the county can also attend the parenting group, Bumps to Babies, which has recently opened at the Bluebell Wood and WANDS Children's Centre. The group opened at the new centre after the success of the existing sessions at Tudor Way and Fairfield Children's Centres. The weekly drop-in groups are run throughout the year and are aimed at parents-to-be and those with babies up to six months old.

Becky Dwight, Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Manager said: "It's a part of the teenage pregnancy strategy to support young parents and help them overcome any barriers to education, employment or training.

"These are fantastic support services that can help and support young parents-to-be across the county prepare for parenthood and get back into education, training or employment."

For further information on the Parent Education Sessions contact Anthea Griffiths at Fairfield Child-ren's Centre on 01905 758411. For further information contact Laura Folkes on 01905 790560.