Whanganui Parents Centre is starting up childbirth education classes from May.
The weekend classes will be run by a qualified childbirth educator from Palmerston North with the first scheduled for May 11-12 and the second over the weekend of August 10-11.
The classes will be held at the Community House in Wanganui.
Viv Gurrey, Parents Centre's New Zealand chief executive, said feedback her organisation had received indicated a gap in childbirth education in the community.
"Quality childbirth education has been shown to improve birth outcomes as well as maternal health, so it is essential that these quality services are readily available to all parents," Ms Gurrey said.
Parents Centre initiated community discussion over several months and, following much positive feedback, opened a centre in Wanganui last year.
"Our centres are run in communities by volunteers, many of whom join us after benefiting from our childbirth education programmes, support networks and coffee groups.
"We are always keen to welcome new volunteers," she said.
For more details on volunteering or to book into a class, contact Becky on 022 681 6455 or email j.hay@parentscentre.org.nz