Manhattan mom chooses Via Christi for third baby, 13 years later

It had been 13 years since Grace Loveday had a newborn. Pregnant with her third child, it was like she was a brand new mom again.

Unsure of what changed since her last delivery, she chose the place that gave her consistent care for her first two babies: Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan’s Birth and Women’s Center. 

Grace is from Manhattan, and wasn’t interested in leaving the “Little Apple” to deliver elsewhere. She thought back to when her first child, Easton, arrived early at 32 weeks. Instead of having to move him to another hospital, he moved down the hall to the Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. 

“I was 20 and had to mentally prepare to have to drive to Topeka or Kansas City, which would have been horrible for me,” said Grace, whose second baby Payton also arrived early, but didn’t need NICU support. “Instead, I hardly had to leave his side for two entire weeks. It was a supportive and fantastic experience.” 

Equipped with a dedicated, specially trained neonatologist, Heather Morgan, MD, and neonatal and labor and delivery nurses, Via Christi was even more ready to provide advanced care to her baby if needed. 

Comforting, compassionate care

With a birth plan in mind, Grace prepared her home for the addition of a new baby, packed her bags, and headed to Via Christi. 

On March 14, her new baby was ready to arrive. Like most people, Grace was nervous about this big moment. One of her worries was her small veins. It makes IV placement difficult, but she felt comforted during the entire process.

“They called a few people to make sure it went smoothly, but the nurses had awesome banter with me and it kept me calm,” she said. “I get nervous for these medical situations, but they helped me get through it.” 

During Grace’s epidural placement, one of her nurses recognized her uneasiness and stepped in to help her feel better. 

“She rubbed my back and gave me positive encouragement, came and checked on me regularly, and gave me positions to try when feeling discomfort,” said Grace. 

A care team that listens

As they got closer to welcoming the baby, she felt entirely supported by her care teams. 

“I felt like a new mom again. I had lots of questions, but I never was made to feel stupid,” said Grace. “Feeling heard was one of the biggest things about my experience.” 

Grace didn’t have a written birth plan, but she knew she wanted to avoid a chaotic arrival. 

“I wanted a calm arrival and for her to stay in the room with me the entire time,” said Grace. 

Her care team gave her exactly that, supported by positive encouragement. In just four hours, Grace welcomed a 6-pound, 11-ounce baby girl, named Collins. 

“They went above and beyond in letting me lead the charge and giving me what I wanted,” she said. “After delivery, they did skin-to-skin, waited on cutting the cord and all exams were done in the room with me, which was exactly what I wanted.” 

Postpartum support

As part of her postpartum care, Grace, Collins, and her husband, Chris, stayed overnight in the spacious Birth and Women’s Center rooms. 

Upon shift change, Grace’s night shift nurse was just as excellent as her daytime team. 

“I liked that during the night she didn’t wake us if it wasn’t necessary,” she said. “I remember her saying, ‘If everything looks great, I won’t wake you,’ and we had a peaceful first night with Collins.” 

The next day, they all went home, making a family of five. Supported by the hospital’s commitment to ensure successful breastfeeding practices, Grace went on to breastfeed Collins. 

A recognized maternity and breastfeeding program

Via Christi works hard to keep moms and babies healthy and safe during birth and after. The hospital was recently recognized by the High 5 for Mom & Baby program yearly since 2019 for following important steps that help moms start and continue breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding gives babies strong nutrition and helps moms and babies bond. The hospital has trained breastfeeding helpers, including one international board certified expert and two certified counselors, who support moms during their stay and after they go home. Due to the hospital’s exceptional care, it has been recognized as one of the best in the country for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report and also honored for its efforts in improving access to birth care in underserved communities. The hospital also supports childbirth education and community resources in close collaboration with Riley County Perinatal Coalition. 

Care for all her kids

When Grace’s son Easton needed emergency care for his migraine shortly after welcoming the new baby, the hospital’s emergency room again provided compassionate care.

“The ER team was incredible,” she said. “They were kind, attentive and fast. They treated my son with compassion, explained everything clearly, and made him feel like a person, not just a patient.”

After three positive delivery experiences at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Grace urges other moms and new moms to advocate for themselves. 

“Make sure you’re going in with a plan, ask questions, have an open mind and stick to your guns,” she said. “It’s easier said than done, but don’t listen to social media. If you aren’t vibing with your nurse, ask for a new one. Do your research, schedule a unit tour, see if it fits, talk to the nurses, do what is best for you and your baby.” 

Learn more about Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan’s Birth and Women’s Center at ascension.org/ManhattanKSBaby or call 785-587-5463 to schedule a tour.