Instructors
Meet our staff of childbirth and parenting professionals.
Hannah Christiansen (CCCE and CCLD) Hannah is a the Director of Beginnings Childbirth. She is a CAPPA certified Childbirth Education and Labor Doula. Hannah is the mother of two very busy children, and a baker who runs the business Moonshadow Sweets. Hannah holds a BA in theater arts and a teaching license/Masters in K-12 Theater Arts education and has taught theater to children of all ages. Hannah lives in Williston with her husband, two children, and their dog, cat and guinea pig.
Juliana Taylor (Midwife, M.Ed, MA) Juliana Taylor is a Certified Professional Midwife, licensed in Vermont and New Hampshire. She is passionate about midwifery care and has supported individuals and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum since 2009. Juliana is enrolled in a nursing program to eventually become a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. She also works at Timberlane Pediatrics as a Medical Assistant. Juliana lives in Shelburne with her husband and daughters.
Lucy Pilcher (Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, PhD). Lucy is a CAPPA trained childbirth educator and labor doula working towards certification. She is also a scientist with a PhD in cellular, molecular, and biomedical sciences. She found her passion for childbirth after having her children in 2021 and 2022. She lives in Colchester, VT with her husband, two children, and cat. She loves yoga, cooking, reading, swimming, and pottery.
OTHER INSTRUCTORS THAT SOMETIMES WORK AT BEGINNINGS:
Ara Finlayson is a CAPPA certified Childbirth Educator and Labour Doula, and is delighted to bring her passion for pregnancy and childbirth to Beginnings. As a mother of two small children, she understands how nervous expectant parents can be – as well as how a positive birth experience can be a wonderful, empowering and life changing event for both the mother and her partner. Ara works at a local marketing agency, lives in Burlington with her husband, two kiddos and neurotic cat, teaches rock climbing in her spare time and gets out into the mountains whenever possible.
Amy Young is a labor and delivery nurse at the University of Vermont Medical Center and former elementary school teacher who joined Beginnings in 2014. She facilitates a support group for families coping with pregnancy and infant loss, and has also worked as a Clinical Instructor for junior students in the University of Vermont's Nursing program. Amy lives in Burlington with her husband and four children.