ADVICE sessions and information events are planned to improve child birth for expectant mothers.

Various activities have been arranged to mark National Pregnancy Health Month, which is running for the second year, following a successful first month-long run during September last er.

Parents-to-be are welcome to meet midwives and healthcare assistants, and learn about the variety of services on offer at the 11 children's centres in the Sunderland City Council area.

Two of those centres serve the former Durham Coalfields communities, one covers Houghton-le-Sping, Hetton-le-Hole, Easington Lane and East Rainton, and the other in the Monument villages of Penshaw, Shiney Row, Herrington Burn, Philadelphia and Fencehouses.

The events are organised in partnership with Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust and City Hospitals Sunderland.

The centres offer a range of sessions to pregnant women with advice necessary to prepare for the birth.

Health care assistants also provide help to young expectant mothers, with specific support for those under 19 during their pregnancy. Pregnant women who smoke are offered referral to specialist pregnancy smoking cessation advisors.

Moira Scales, health co-ordinator at Sunderland South and East Children's Centres, said: "Good health is vital during pregnancy and it's essential that expectant mums have the appropriate support available to them in order to maintain their health while pregnant."

Six new centres are expected to come on stream throughout Wearside later this year and early next year.

The numbers for the Coalfields area centres are 0191-520-9200/385-1800. General inquiries about the children's information service on 0191-520-5505.