Via Christi Birth and Women's Center supports first-time parents

Via Christi Hospital Birth and Women’s Center in Manhattan, Kansas, helped provide a smooth delivery, compassionate nursing care and lactation support for this first-time mom.
Via Christi Birth & Women's Center helps first-time parents feel at ease and supported
At the start of 2024, Manhattan area couple Kirstie Anne Flores-Tua'au and Codey Tua'au rang in the new year with positive pregnancy tests. Kirstie, a registered nurse, felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as they prepared for the arrival of their first baby.
As they got ready to welcome their bundle of joy, they chose Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan’s Birth & Women's Center because it was close-to-home and had a knowledgeable lactation care team and a Level II NICU. After discovering her pregnancy on January 1, 2024, Kirstie cherished moments like feeling her baby’s movements and seeing her during ultrasounds.
Kirstie was excited and comforted, because Via Christi is close to home, meaning better peace of mind and familiarity for the new parents. What stood out most about her experience was the compassionate and attentive care provided by her dedicated maternityteam. Despite not knowing what to expect, the labor and delivery team made her feel comfortable and at ease throughout the process. As a first time mom, she experienced a quick delivery that only took two and a half hours and went smoothly, thanks to the knowledgeable maternity care team.
The couple welcomed their baby girl Arabella Tua'au on August 15, 2024, who arrived weighing 5 pounds, 1 ounce.
Her postpartum experience was just as positive, and she felt grateful for the seamless delivery and the support she received as a new mom.“All of my nurses were incredibly supportive and encouraging,” Kirstie shared. “They made me feel less anxious about every 'first' I was experiencing.”
Support from the hospital’s lactation specialist, Melanie, made a significant difference. Attending lactation classes and receiving guidance from her helped Kirstie overcome initial challenges with her baby’s latch.
Advice for Expectant Mothers
For new moms, Kirstie has this advice: “Do what you think is best for you and your baby. Everything will be okay, and you are doing a great job!”
She highly recommends Via Christi because of the teams' compassionate care and said that she would choose it again in the future.
Learn more about close-to-home, maternity care at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan
Last updated: March 24, 2025