Meet Stacey, owner of the Utah Birth Place in Provo Utah

  Welcome to my series about birth workers in Utah. If you’re new here, hi there, I’m Jessica and I’m a newborn portrait photographer based in Utah County. In this series it’s my goal to interview people that work with pregnant, birthing, and new mothers to learn about their services and how they help their clients right here in Utah County.
   For our next post I interviewed Stacey Green, owner of the Utah Birth Place located in Provo, Utah. The Utah Birth Place is your one stop shop when it comes to birth education, community birth support, and giving birth on your terms. They offer birth education classes, massage, lactation support, and more. Read to the end to learn about our collaborative event celebrating the upcoming one year anniversary of The Utah Birth Place.

Tell us about yourself and your business:
   My name is Stacey Green, I own The Utah Birth Place. It is a different kind of birth center where you can bring any home birth midwife you are comfortable with. We offer birth education classes, lactation support, essential oils, a lending library, massage, doulas, midwives, and resources for families before, during and after pregnancy. I have been a birth and postpartum doula for five years and love the birth community. I had clients that never knew of all of the resources that were available to them and saw there was a need for a one stop shop for birth. I just opened The Utah Birth Place in October of 2023, we are located in Provo just off of center street.

What inspired you to start working in your field?
   Having my oldest, that is now almost 15, made me realize that even though we had taken some classes through the hospital we were very unprepared for birth. I also was not aware of other services that would have been incredibly helpful after having her. I felt very alone in the process and could have used a village.

How can giving birth at a birth center benefit a new parent?
   Birth centers are great because you get to have the home birth feel without feeling the need to host. There is also space and extra benefits like fabric pulls, birth pools, and squat bars that you don't have or have room for at home or hospitals. Sometimes birth centers are closer to a hospital then your home in case of emergencies with the freedom to move the way your body is telling you to and an overall calmer environment.

What amenities and support services does your birthing center offer to ensure a comfortable and positive birthing experience?
   All the benefits of home without the clean up! Also, the fabric pull, squat bars, calming environment, and the ability to bring in the birth team you want and feel comfortable with.

What is your philosophy on natural vs. medicated childbirth? How do you support the laboring parent throughout labor and delivery?
   I support your choices! I don't care if that is natural or medicated. You can still have a beautiful experience with either. My goal is that you are educated on the choices you have and give consent before anything is done. I am there to support you and your partner.

Do you have any resources you can offer or recommend to help the expectant parent?
   Definitely take a birth education class, look into getting a doula (both birth and postpartum), know what options you have and how to advocate for yourself. Make sure you get support for postpartum and lactation. Postpartum is often overlooked because you are preparing for the birth. Make sure you not only are taking care of your body by getting rest and healthy meals, but also a plan for your mental health.

How can I prepare for a birth at your birthing center before my baby is born? Are there any specific classes or resources you recommend?
   When you reserve the birth suite at The Utah Birth Place, you also are given birth education classes. Here we teach the Mindfully Prepared Birth course that will prepare you for any type of birth you plan and even the one you might not have planned.

What are some common challenges parents face during labor and delivery at a birthing center, and how does the birthing center staff help overcome those challenges?
   Birth center birth is just like any other birth. No matter where it happens. We treat birth like the life event it is. Your birth team is well trained to handle anything that comes up and if they need more support, we are close to the hospital if needed.

Any further advice for an expectant or postpartum parent?
   Ask questions and know that you are allowed to say no and change providers at ANY time. That includes while pushing if necessary.

How does your birthing center handle emergency situations, and what protocols are in place to ensure the safety of both the parent and the baby?
   During emergency situations, your midwife is the one that calls the shots. We have a ramp in the parking lot in case a stretcher needs to be brought in. We also have signs with 911 and our address posted to make it easy for anyone to make that call.

Where can our readers find you?
  We are "The Utah Birth Place" on all of our socials (Tik Tok,  Facebook,  Instagram). Our website is theutahbirthplace.com

   As The Utah Birth Place approaches our first anniversary, we along with  Jessica Esplin Photo and Heather Lewin Photography want to share the joy with the families who make our work meaningful. For soon to be and new mothers, we are hosting maternity, newborn and baby mini photo sessions to allow you to honor this exciting time of your life. We can’t wait to have you come check out the space and learn about the comprehensive services we offer! This one time event will be Saturday August 10th, 2024. We will have 2 very talented photographers offering their services at a highly discounted rate for this special event. Pick the photographer’s style that you resonate with and book your session time by following the link to their individual booking sites. More details below!

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If you would like to be featured here or if you'd like to recommend one of your favorite birth workers in Utah County or Salt Lake County to be featured please send me a message with your email on Instagram @jesplinphoto.