She is an instructor for the Arizona Perinatal Education Coalition offering labor support skills workshops for labor and delivery nurses throughout the Tucson area.  She has been a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) since 1983 and is a Fellow in the American College of Childbirth Educators (FACCE). 

In 2005 she became a trainer for Passion for Birth offering advanced skills workshops for childbirth educators.  She is trained by Lamaze International as a Breastfeeding Support Specialist and by Desert Doulas as a Postpartum Doula.  She has been Perinatal Education Coordinator at University Medical Center since 2001.

Working as an educator and doula Laurie has helped prepare over 2,000 people for childbirth and believes in the power of knowledge and prenatal preparation in enhancing the birth experience.  Her background in anthropology contributes to her understanding of the powerful impact of childbearing and early parenting experiences in shaping our children, ourselves and our culture.

As wife of anthropologist, Dr. David Stephen and mother of Jesse, Robin and Meryl she cherishes the opportunity she has had to experience childbirth and parenting firsthand.