about us
Ann Arbor Baby Beginnings is dedicated to providing evidence-based education and support to new families. We offer childbirth education in a private format. Our instructors are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE) and our classes generally adhere to the Lamaze International philosophy of pregnancy, birth and parenting. This philosophy includes viewing birth as a normal, healthy experience that has a profound affect on women and their families. The focus in all Lamaze classes is on teaching evidence-based information that empowers women and their families to make informed choices in both their own healthcare and in the care of their children. . At Ann Arbor Baby Beginnings, our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for families during the transition to parenting. We feel privileged to work with families from many different cultural and ideological backgrounds. As much as we enjoy teaching, our instructors also appreciate the opportunity to grow and learn from the families in their classes.
Owner and instructors
Owner: Amy Lawson Lmsw, PhD, Lcce, PMH-C
Amy Lawson was the Executive Director of Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor from 2013-2017, and is the founder of Ann Arbor Baby Beginnings. Amy is a licensed masters social worker in Michigan and also holds a PhD in Anthropology. Amy's goal is to help new parents feel confident about their early parenting decisions by providing the latest evidence based education and support. Amy is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and serves as a Michigan State Coordinator for Postpartum Support International. Amy is dedicated to helping new parents obtain the support necessary to make early parenting successful. Amy is also a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and teaches many of the childbirth education offered by Ann Arbor Baby Beginnings. She also offers individual and couples therapy services for pregnant and postpartum families.
Instructor: Elizabeth satterley Lcce, Cd (Dona)
Elizabeth Satterley has been a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator for 10 years and a DONA certified birth doula for nine years. Elizabeth loves having the opportunity to share evidence based information with new and growing families, helping them feel comfortable making informed decisions, and working with them to enhance their chances of attaining a positive birth experience.
instructor: cara genisio lcce, cd (dona)
Cara has been a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) since 2008, and has been a DONA-Certified birth doula since 2009. In her childbirth education classes, Cara is committed to blending evidence-based and non-judgmental content with a deep respect for the emotional side of childbirth and new parenthood. Preparing to welcome a baby into the family is a profoundly personal journey, and Cara is honored to have been included in the journeys of hundreds of families over the years, both as an educator and a doula.
instructor: Jodie Hughes Lcce
Jodie grew up in Ann Arbor and loves that she is raising her two children close to this great community and her family and friends. When she's not spending time with her kiddos (aka driving them around) Jodie wears several hats, all of which connect to her drive to educate and provide support for families and children. Prior to becoming a mom, she received a degree in English from the University of Michigan and planned to return later and continue working in writing and editing. After the arrival of her son in 2003 and daughter in 2006, she was moved and inspired to pursue an all new direction. Jodie has been a certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator and an Infant Care Instructor since 2008 and she became a Postpartum Doula in 2009. Jodie is passionate about providing evidence based education, resources and support as each family finds their footing in their own path of parenthood. She feels so fortunate to have a job that she truly loves, and considers it an honor to share in this wonderful/crazy time in your lives!