Emma
The Birth of Bowie Lavina
Estimated Due Date -16.1.2023
Born 17/1/2023
Weight 4070grams (8.97pound)
Height 52ch
Head circumference 37cm
“We give birth through our instincts, and we give birth to our instincts. We give birth to our capacity for instincts, which will match us perfectly with our babies, who are and will always be instinctive creatures. May we all be blessed through instinctive birth.”
– Sarah Buckley
“We give birth through our instincts, and we give birth to our instincts. We give birth to our capacity for instincts, which will match us perfectly with our babies, who are, and will always be, instinctive creatures. May we all be blessed though instinctive birth.”
– Sarah Buckley
Emma and I already had a special connection before she reached out to ask if I could be her doula for the birth of her second baby. An incredibly talented interior designer, Emma played a significant role in helping us transform our home during a renovation that meant so much to my family. Now, being by her side for such a special time in her life feels like a beautiful way to give back the care and support she has offered me.
Emma and I share a deep passion for our respective work. As she prepares to meet her baby, it has been my privilege to help her feel confident, informed, and empowered. At times, I felt like a quiet guide, gently reminding her, “My role is to share all the information you need to make choices that feel right for you. However you choose to birth your baby, I will stand beside you support you to birth your baby your way.
Emma and her partner Michael are the proud parents to a gorgeous little 2-year-old little boy “Finn”, they are now looking forward to adding a little daughter and sister to their growing family.
I would have to say Emma’s greatest fear was overcoming the thoughts that she would be birthing a big baby if her pregnancy was to continue past 40 weeks.
Emma chose to have an induction for a suspected big baby at 38 weeks with Finn and he weighed in at over 9 pounds. Now that Emma has a doula this time around, she now knows the evidence surrounding big babies and the risks and benefits of inductions, but this lingering fear won’t leave her that she will birth a large baby and have complications.
I fully believed that Emma could birth whatever size baby her body grew.
My wish was for Emma to go into labour with the faith that she believed this to.
When you believe in yourself… your half way there.
Through working with Emma over her pregnancy, she has reframed her view on birth and inductions. Emma is not totally opposed to an induction but is hoping she will go into spontaneous labour by 40 weeks. When discussing her birth with Finn at 39 weeks, we both felt that there was a very good chance she would go into labour in or around 40 weeks. In saying this, as much as we know about birth, we know nothing about a particular birth. This birth will unfold in its own unique way.
Emma is being supported by two fabulous MGP midwives, who are deeply committed to providing woman-centred care. She has chosen a team of care providers who believe in her and will wholeheartedly encourage and support her to birth her baby in the way that feels right for her.
Birth Day
40 weeks to the day -16.1.2023
“A woman in birth is at once her most powerful, and most vulnerable but any woman, who has birth unhindered understands that we are stronger than we know.” Space Marcie Macari
Emma is at Maple café with Michael and Finn. And as it so happens Emma is experiencing mild sensations. It looks like this baby girl has been listening in and has decided to choose her own Birthday right on que.
We are all so happy that Emma has gone into spontaneous labour.
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers—strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
— Barbara Katz Rothman
Throughout the day, Emma and I stayed in touch as she finalised her birth plan. It’s nothing like waiting until the last minute, but it was a welcome distraction for her—a way to keep her mind occupied as she continued to breathe through the waves of sensations. This labour was already so different from her induction with her first baby. It was a whole new way for Emma to experience labour —one led entirely by her body and the rhythm of mother nature.
As evening settled in, the sensations grew stronger, taking Emma’s breath away at times. During one of our conversations, she mentioned feeling quite hot and was sitting in front of a fan to cool herself. She wasn’t sure whether her waters might have broken and sent me a picture of what looked like a wet patch. After some gentle back-and-forth, we decided that the quiet stillness of the night was the perfect time for me to come over.
We talked about whether it might be best to meet at the hospital, as she was starting to feel some pressure in her bottom. But Emma felt she was managing well at home and was looking forward to having me there to support her in person.
At around 10:10 pm, I gathered my things and headed to Emma’s house, excited to be by her side as she and Michal prepared to welcome their little baby girl into the world. When I arrived, the house was peaceful and calm, with Emma’s playlist softly playing and the gentle scent of the diffuser filling the air. Emma wasn’t truly alone—her two loyal companions, Hudson, their gentle Labrador, and Frankie, their beautiful cat, stayed close by, as if they, too, were offering their quiet support.
Michal, Shae (Emma’s sister, who is staying to support her postpartum), and little Finn were all fast asleep. It was just my birthing goddess, her baby, and these two faithful companions working together in the stillness of the night. Emma moved with quiet strength, breathing and swaying through the waves of her labour, completely in tune with her body and her baby.
Emma was standing at the kitchen bench, breathing steadily through each and every wave. She was doing an incredible job, and I couldn’t help but feel so proud of her.
Emma moves herself onto the floor, leaning on her birth ball and continuing to breathe steadily through her sensations as I support her with massage and encouragement.
Emma had shared with me that she had been spending a lot of time labouring on the toilet—a wonderful place to let her bodywork, as it allows for relaxation and openness. She noticed a bloody show and wasn’t sure if it was normal or perhaps more blood than expected. As I was not trained to make a medical call, I called the labour ward, and we had a chat with one of the midwives. We were reassured that all was very normal.
Emma’s sensations seemed to have settled into a regular pattern, coming about five minutes apart. But soon, they began to shift, their pattern more unpredictable. Emma also started experiencing some back pain, so we decided that a heat pack for her back and a round of Spinning Babies techniques may be just what this little baby needed to create space for her to continue her journey earthside.
By 11:30 pm, her sensations became regular once more, and I noticed a change in Emma’s breathing. There was a shift—a deepening intensity as the pressure in her bottom built. She began making those instinctive, powerful sounds—the beautiful song that women sing when they are working so hard to bring their babies earthside. Spinning babies had worked its magic.
At midnight, Emma was lying on her side on the couch, her sensations intensifying with each wave. I was massaging her legs, helping her stay grounded as she drew deep within herself, focusing on her breath to work through the rising intensity. Around this time, Shae joined us, quietly offering her calm and steady support as Emma continued her birth journey.
Not long after, we decided it was time to wake Michael, knowing things were progressing and that his presence would be a comforting anchor for Emma.
When Michael joined us, he seemed a little surprised—perhaps even in awe—at how much progress Emma had made since he had last seen her. I reassured him that there was no rush to jump into the car just yet; everything was unfolding exactly as it should.
"Labour is the ultimate expression of strength and surrender—a powerful reminder that within every woman lies the ability to bring life into the world with courage, resilience, and love." Unknown
Emma slowly rises from the couch, pausing to breathe and sing her labour song as each sensation flows through her. She leans into Michael, his steady presence grounding her as they sway and rock together. Spotting an opportunity, I try a little acupressure on Emma’s toes to encourage optimal positioning for the baby.
However, it’s not long before Emma gives me a look, shakes her leg, and asks me to stop. The sensation is clearly not her favourite, and I can’t help but smile as she makes it known. I quickly stop. Besides, I feel confident this little baby is already exactly where she needs to be now.
By 1:20 am, Emma was deep in her labour, fully immersed in the intensity of what her body was doing. Every wave of pressure and pain was a challenge, but she stayed focused, determined to stay ahead of it. She shared with us that she felt ready to head to the LGH, hoping the gas might bring some relief and that the warmth of the bath would offer comfort as she continued through the journey.
The sensations were coming every 3 to 4 minutes—and Emma could feel the pressure continuing to build in her bottom. There was also a sense of shakiness creeping in. We called the hospital to let them know we were on our way, requesting they start filling the bath.
Women don’t need to be taught how to give birth—it’s an innate wisdom within them. When a woman feels safe, supported, and heard, her body instinctively knows what to do. Birth is not something to be taught but honoured and trusted.
I can feel the excitement stirring inside me again as Emma labours like an absolute legend. She’s handling it all with such strength, and I’m certain we won’t be at the hospital for long before her little one makes her debut. There’s a quiet buzz in the air, and I can feel we’re getting much closer to meeting this beautiful baby.
With saying goodbye to Shae, I felt the special bond they both share. Emma’s heart would be at peace, knowing Shae will be there to care for Finn. As I thought about them, my mind drifted to Emma and Shai’s mum, so deeply loved by her daughters. I couldn’t help but hope that, in some way, she’s watching over Emma, keeping her safe and guiding her through these precious hours.
I believe that they’re definitely a love that extends beyond what we can see. When Emma finally shares the joyous news with her sister—that her new little niece is here, safe and sound—I can only imagine the overwhelming happiness and the comforting memory of their mum wrapping them both in her warmth.
By 1:40 am, we had made a quick trip from Emma and Michael’s home to the LGH. As we arrived, we were met by the midwife filling in for Emma’s usual team, who would be supporting her this morning. After exchanging a quick hello, we all made our way up to the birth suite together.
The intensity was building rapidly for Emma, and it was clear she was working incredibly hard to bring her baby into the world. Michael and I stayed by her side, offering as much support and encouragement as we could while she pushed through the powerful waves of labour.
Our room in the birth suite was dark and peaceful, ready for us to create a sacred little space for Emma. She had agreed to use the Doppler to check her baby’s heart rate, and by all accounts, she seemed very happy.
Even though the bath was filled, Emma felt drawn to the toilet, where she sat shaking as the sensations came closer and closer together. Emma looked up to me and asked, “How much longer, Krista? How much longer?”
I reassured her, "It looks like you are getting so close Emma." And from everything we could all see, that’s what it truly seemed like. But as always, it’s like asking how long a piece of string is—none of us could really know the answer
Later, she shared that she just wanted to know where the end was—something to hold onto so she could manage her mind and push through. In her heart, she knew that no one had a crystal ball, but if we did, knowing the finish line was in sight would have given her the strength to keep going. The beautiful truth is – that she kept going on regardless
Emma decided to move to the bed, her labour pushing her to that raw and vulnerable place where it felt impossible to go any further without help. “Please, can I have an epidural?” she asked, her voice filled with pain and exhaustion. In that moment my heart could feel that what she was feeling was so powerful, so consuming, that she wasn’t sure she could keep going. She needed to hear that she had what it took to get through this.
I sat close to her and gently reminded her, “Emma, you’re so brave and you are nearly at the finish line.” She looked at me, unsure, as she voiced that maybe I was just tricking her. Her mind - for just these few moments was telling her she couldn’t do it, but her body knew otherwise. And I wasn’t tricking her —she truly was close. She was about to meet her baby.
As her sounds shifted and her body began to work with her baby, the talk of an epidural faded away. It wasn’t needed anymore. The strength she thought had deserted her was carrying her through, moment by moment. Soon, she would do it—she would bring her baby into the world.
"In labour, a woman steps into a sacred space, a threshold between two worlds, working not just through contractions, but through the incredible power of creation. If she is blessed, she will be surrounded by those who hold her in love—her doula, her midwife, and her partner—who will gently remind her, ‘You are powerful, you are capable, and you are supported. You can do this, for you are not alone on this sacred journey, and the strength you carry within is all you need to bring your baby into the world.’"
- Krista McCrimmon
Emma is now drawing deeply on her birthing power—nine months of preparing her mind and body have brought her to this moment. The bath, once part of the plan, lies in waiting, untouched. Emma can no longer bring herself to leave the bed, and though her birth plan clearly stated she didn’t want to give birth on her back, this is where she now feels she needs to be. Her hands grip the back of the bedhead for strength, her legs pressing firmly into the footrests as she channels every ounce of her being to bring her baby closer.
Michael, our midwife, and I are right there with her, supporting her in every way we can.
We remind her to let go of the power she is putting into her hands and direct the power down to where she needs it the most.
We’d planned for me to film the birth, but as the intensity builds, Emma firmly makes it clear she doesn’t want any part of it. The phone is set aside immediately—she has more important things to focus on than a camera.
Cool cloths soothe her face, sips of water keep her going, and words of encouragement remind her of the strength we all see in her. Yet, as her baby is about to crown, a flicker of doubt slips through. “I can’t do it, Krista,” she says. I meet her gaze and respond gently, “Yes, you can. You are already doing it.
Michael is beside her, his calm and unwavering presence holding her steady. He’s not just by her side—he’s holding her heart, and I can see the awe in his eyes as he witnesses his wife in this powerful, transformative moment.
At 2:53 am, the room seems to pause as the magic of birth wraps around us. And then, with a rush of love and relief, Bowie Lavina Beachy is born, placed gently onto her mummy’s chest. The room fills with smiles and tears of joy, the kind that only the miracle of birth can inspire.
This beautiful little girl, with her dark hair and alert eyes, gazes around at the world that’s been waiting for her. Wonder, hope, and endless possibilities are written in her every movement. Welcome to the world, Bowie. You are loved beyond measure. xx
As we know birth isn't complete until the placenta is born, and Emma’s birth with her son Finn certainly had its challenges with a retained placenta. This time, everything seemed to fall into place. Emma did agree to have a shot of Syntocinon, but the placenta followed without any complications, and there was no postpartum bleeding.
Now, it’s time for Emma and Michael to begin the beautiful journey of getting to know their precious baby. But first, Michael takes a well-earned moment to “recover” from the night’s events, dozing off in the chair beside Emma. After all, birth support in the early hours of the morning is hard work—almost as hard as, you know, birthing the baby!
Meanwhile, Emma, with her little one nestled in her arms, embraces the quiet magic of these next few hours. She can now enjoy the stillness as all the routine procedures are done, feeling so relieved and happy, knowing she’s just given her absolute all to bring their precious baby into the world.
I am so proud of you, Emma, my birthing goddess! All the preparation and strength you brought into this journey paid off beautifully. You achieved the natural, physiological birth you had hoped for, and it was such an honour to be by your side to witness you tap into your birth power and bring your baby safely into the world.
I wish you all the very best as you embark on this beautiful journey as a family. With children in the mix, life will never be boring—there’s always something new and exciting around the corner, filled with laughter, discovery, and love. I’m so happy for you all and can’t wait to see all the joy and adventures that await you as a family.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your special birth story. It has truly been a privilege to support you.
Love Krista xxx