West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust is providing free parent education classes for couples about to have a baby.

The trust is offering a two-week women only course, classes for couples expecting twins and active birth days for couples who have chosen to deliver at the Alexandra Birthing Centre at Watford General Hospital. A tour of the birthing unit will be included in the classes which are running at Watford General Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital.

A third of Hertsmere patients use the hospital in Vicarage Road, Watford.

From January there will also be a couples evening class available in the Sopwell and Verulam Children’s Centre in St Albans.

Deborah Trollope, the trust's parent education coordinator, said: “We have had very encouraging feedback from women attending the courses who said that the courses helped them to have a positive experience from their labour and birth at Watford General.

“We are really pleased that another new initiative has been launched — the early pregnancy booking session. This is available to women in very early pregnancy who have not yet booked an appointment.

“This will be a one or two hour session which allows early contact with midwives and a forum to discuss screening, diet, smoking cessation, and any other issues that might occur in early pregnancy.”

To book places on any of the parent education courses call 01923 217686.