Educating the educator: Donor support helps Lexington nurse shape stronger birth stories

Long before she wore scrubs, Kristen Hands was captivated by the quiet magic of sleeping newborns through the nursery window.

“When I was little, my mom would take me with her to the hospital to visit sick relatives or friends, and she would say, ‘If you're good, I'll take you to see the babies,’” Kristen remembered with a smile. “And I would go to the nursery window and think, ‘People get to work there. That’s their job to be on the other side of that glass, taking care of the babies.’ Ever since then, that’s what I wanted to do.”

And she did. For nearly three decades, Kristen has dedicated her life to mothers, babies, and families at Baptist Health Lexington – first as a bedside nurse in Mother/Baby for 20 years, and now as the hospital’s only Childbirth and Community Educator.

This year, thanks to generous donor support through Baptist Health Foundation Lexington, Kristen attended the International Childbirth Educators Association’s national conference – the first in-person gathering since the pandemic. For Kristen, it was a gift of connection, growth, and renewed purpose.

At the conference, she joined hundreds of educators from across the country in exploring everything from hands-on labor support to mental health strategies for new parents. They also shared ways to normalize the emotional challenges of early parenthood and childbirth – a topic often addressed by Kristen in her courses.

“Some of these new parents may have never set foot in the hospital where they intend to give birth, and they come in frankly, pretty terrified,” Kristen said. “Their only exposure to birth has been from television, where things are very dramatic, and people usually haven't seen a childbirth until their own babies are born.”

She’s made it her mission to help ease the fear and uncertainty that often surrounds childbirth. Through interactive classes, Kristen helps new parents – and even grandparents – understand what to expect and how to advocate for themselves, their babies, and one another. And because of continued learning, Kristen can connect more deeply with today’s new parents and tailor her teaching to fit their unique needs.

“Language is always changing,” she said. “So, it’s important that the information we present is not only up to date and medically accurate, but also appropriate for this generation. They want interaction, discussion, videos, and hands-on practice. If we don't evolve our childbirth education, then we're stuck.”

Her work is informative and transformative. Research shows that families who attend childbirth classes have better birth outcomes: lower C-section rates, longer breastfeeding durations, improved sleep practices, and more confident, supportive partners.

In a country where maternal outcomes are worsening, Kristen believes this kind of preventative education can be a game-changer.

“This is a chance to improve with something simple, empowering people to understand what their resources are,” Kristen said. “It’s exciting to think of the difference it can make.”

Last year, 4,300 babies were born at Baptist Health Lexington. Between 2,000 and 3,000 families took advantage of childbirth education classes led by Kristen, often beginning a relationship with the hospital that will last a lifetime.

“Research shows that if a family is satisfied with their hospital birth experience, they are much more likely to come to that hospital for their family’s care for the rest of their life,” Kristen said. “So, we really are creating a relationship with our community for a lifetime.”

Donor gifts are also helping enhance that experience with the recent addition of nitrous oxide machines – a safe and effective labor pain relief option – offering women more choices during labor. 

As she continues to grow and learn in her role, Kristen is committed to passing her knowledge to the next generation of nurses, educators, and mothers – expanding her childhood dream into a legacy of learning, care and connection. 

“I appreciate the foundation and the donors investing in educating the educator,” Kristen said. “Because when you do that, the impact is felt by every family we serve.”