Emerald Sarah Appleby Photo

Emerald Sarah Appleby

Emerald Perinatal Services

Victoria, BC Service range 25 miles No ferries

https://emeraldperinatal.com/

Birth Fee

$1400

Postpartum Rate

$40

Availability Remarks: For postpartum, I can usually help you quickly, sometimes the same day! I don’t have another day job like many other doulas, this makes me very flexible. I do over nights.

Birth Fee

$1400

Postpartum Rate

$40


Birth Doula Experience

20 years and 216 births attended

Postpartum Doula Experience

17 years and 95 families served


Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, May 2005

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 1 to 3 births and 1 to 4 postpartum families

Postpartum limits/restrictions: I am vaccinated and boosted. Pets are more then welcome when I come over, I'll even take care of pets if needed. No smoking.

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals
I am on call from the moment I get the retainer fee, and I'll come to you as soon as you need, even if it’s just reassurance you need. I will come no matter the stage of labour, if you feel it is time for me to help. I will work hard to keep you relaxed and confident. To have a positive experience and understanding everything that did or didn’t happen. If it's a hospital birth, I can help you get settled in the hospital and show you ways to encourage labour there. I will not leave until 2 hours or more after birth, unless circumstances out of my hands happen. I can travel in the same car as mom and driver, to ensure she is as comfortable as possible, and to let the driver concentrate on driving. I believe in using evidence based information, and I make sure to keep up to date with new research and ideas.The first 48 hours postpartum I offer UNLIMITED parenting and breastfeeding support. This can be just phone calls or visits to help with getting the baby latched and mom comfortable ( I don't know another doula doing this). This ensures that you get consistent advice from one person, not a different idea from every staff or family member that appears. Ensuring that Breastfeeding is off to a good start is essential, and experience has led me to believe it's a role every doula should strive towards. This also allow us to debrief (talk about the parts of the birth that were confusing/blurry and reframe them in as positive way as we can). Photography: still and live. Massage and acupressure, small lending library, and more…when you are home I bring a scale to visits to weigh your little one.

Attends birth center births? No Birth Centers
We have none here, but I hope to be able to practice in one, one day.

Attends home births? Any Home Birth
My home birth services are more comprehensive, because there is more to do! I have recently added a birth pool!!!. I will also spend more time immediately after the birth, ensuring that Breastfeeding is off to a good start, and to allow you to debrief (talk about the parts of the birth that were confusing and reframe them in as positive way as we can), and to clean up and make sure parents have everything they need before leaving. I will also come back with in 24 hrs, to check in and do anymore cleaning up that still needs to be done, like laundry and dishes, and can run errands. I can help out with dogs and kids too. The first 48 hrs the support is unlimited. So if you need me back a couple of hours after I leave, I'll come right back! Some extras: photography: still and live. Massage and acupressure, small Lending library. I can provide SOME Montrice services to specially screened birth clients. This is not in doula scope! The Doppler I carry falls in between this category and a doula’s scope. I bring a scale to postpartum visits to weight you bundle love.


College Education

AA/AS


Special Services Offered

  • Abortion support
  • Acupressure
  • Antepartum doula support
  • Bereavement doula (pregnancy & infant loss)
  • Birth pool rental
  • Cancer patients and survivors
  • Childbirth education services
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Lactation consultant/counselor services
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Military families support
  • Miscarriage support
  • Monitrice services
  • Newborn care specialist
  • Parenting consulting
  • Photography - Birth
  • Photography - Maternity
  • Photography - Newborn
  • Reduced rates for women considering adoption
  • Satellite doula (for remote and rural clients)
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • Sleep educator
  • Special Services
  • Stillbirth and infant loss support
  • Surrogates and intended parents
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

(Covid 19 has made us rethink what we do as doulas. I am being much more flexible with packages and fees. Like adding in a prenatal class. (Let me know what your needs are and I will do what I can to cover them.) I think of my role, not as a coach, but as a guide, gently and kindly helping you find your way through an often confusing, sometimes scary, but unbelievably fulfilling Journey. I am now one of the longest practicing doulas on Vancouver Island, and as such, you can depend on my many years of experience to help your have the best birth experience possible. I trained and was certified by DONA as a Doula, then as a Breastfeeding expert, and finally as a childbirth educator. I work with women in any place in their life. All parents deserve to have the birth experience that they desire and work so hard for. First timers, the "Grand MuItiparous" on her 5th, there is so very much a Doula can do to enhance and protect the moment. In the other parts of my practice I specialize in moms with mood difficulties, and all special needs moms, in teen moms and moms in high risk situations, including but not limited to: addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, abusive relationships, and cognitive issues: low IQ, FAS, FAA, and physical disabilities that make childbirth difficult. I often work with single mothers (I was one too), and women who have had difficulty conceiving. I am knowledgeable in fertility treatments and how they impact mom and the course of pregnancy and labour, delivery, and postpartum. I have extensive experience with pre and postpartum mood disorders. I can't wait to hear from you! Talk to me about my fee sliding scale, and my pro bono spots.

Languages Spoken

  • English

Fee Details

Pets are more then welcome when I come over, I'll even take care of pets if needed. No smoking. For postpartum clients, my first visit is $100, and takes an hour or two to talk about your needs and difficulties and to assess the situation. $40 an hour after, unless there is urgent need and financial difficulty.

Service Area

Victoria, BC Service range 25 miles No ferries

Client Testimonials for Emerald Sarah Appleby

Post a testimonial for Emerald Sarah Appleby

Sydney

11/7/2023

Emerald is amazing. My husband and I were so thankful to have her as part of our care team with the birth of our son. She was there quietly supporting us through the whole process - bringing me water, coaching me with how to push at the right time, and snapping pictures for us that we cherish. Her advice before labour and during the postpartum period was also invaluable.

Robin

11/26/2022

We can't say enough wonderful things about Emerald as our pre/postpartum doula!

We started working with Emerald quite early in our pregnancy and were particularly drawn to her science-informed knowledge and extensive experience as a doula and mum. As first-time parents, we really appreciated the time she spent helping us discuss our birth preferences and identify pain management strategies that would work for us despite my fear of needles. 

Emerald always made us feel that she was available to come when needed and was quick to reply by text or phone call. She came exactly when we needed her during labour and worked so seemlessly with my husband throughrout labour. When our midwife stepped out of our room for a call, Emerald quickly and correctly realized that baby was coming and made sure the full team was in the room when our daughter was born very quickly! 

In the weeks following our daughter's birth, Emerald was so generous with her time, coming by every few days and extra visits as needed. She provided invaluable support with the many challenges we had with breastfeeding. 

We cannot thank Emerald enough and she will always be such a wonderf part of our daughter's life story. 

Sarah

10/13/2022

My husband and I decided to work with a doula when I was diagnosed with a complicated pregnancy. Emerald was my birth/postpartum doula and she is so wonderful! She had first hand experience of my diagnosis and was incredibly calm, kind and gentle as she supported by husband and I. As a first time mom,I had so many fears and questions but Emerald, being very attentive, would respond as soon as she was able to- sometimes within minutes. She was always there for me while I was pregnant for my concerns, and continued to be a huge part of my postpartum journey. Her support for breastfeeding is the best.

I would highly recommend Emerald to help make your birth and postpartum care as smooth and supportive as it can be. My little family is truly grateful for Emerald.

 

Corrie

5/31/2022

Thank you so much Emerald for your wonderful care. 

 

We had Emerald in 2020 and again now in 2022. She was so wonderful and helped when I again experinced complications the required medical attention and extra support. She helped put me at ease with the change in my birth plan and ensured I got the post pardum care/support I needed. She helped advocate for me when I was having complications and with her urging I was given promt medical care. 

 

 

 

Corrina

12/2/2021

Emerald was invaluable in my having the birth I wanted, even when I could no longer have the birth I planned. 
We decided we needed a doula as this was our first child and we wouldn't have any friend or family support. We found Emerald and her no nonsense, knowledgeable approach (and understanding of our Navy lingo) instantly put us at ease. She continued to be a calming resource when I was told I would likely need to be induced; taking the time to listen to my worries and explaining what it would entail in layman’s terms. She continued to check up on my physical & mental health leading up to “D Day”.
When I went into labour naturally, she was quick to meet us at home to assess and make the decision to head to the hospital. Like most labour and deliveries, mine did not go to plan. But Emerald was there holding my hand (and holding the shower wand, holding my juice cup, holding my leg up) and holding back our anxieties. She was able to refocus me and re-motivate when needed. She was able to help me understand the options my care team was offering, and most importantly she continued to advocate for me and the birth I wanted to have. She didn’t leave our side until we were settled in our recovery room with our little girl (more than 24 intense hours later).
Emerald was able to take so many treasured photos throughout our daughter's birth. But most valuable was having Emerald postpartum on a number of occasions to talk through my birth event and process all that had happened. She was able to fill in the gaps of the events I couldn’t remember or wasn’t aware of. She was able to explain why certain things happened. She helped me heal and reframe my experience, continuing to offer additional resources should I feel I needed them. I am so thankful to have had her support!

 

Corrie

2/27/2020

Emerald was very helpful and reassuring during my birthing experience. She helped me make decisions that I had not prepared myself for and is very knowledgeable. She is very kind and comforting to have around and was very helpful to get to needed appointments. She came to my multiple appointments in my 3rd trimester and helped explain procedures or answer questions that I had or worried about

 

Thank you

Ivana

10/14/2019

Emerald was an invaluable addition to my birth team. As a first time mom wanting a home birth, Emerald helped me and my partner feel more confident with our decision while also being very clear regarding the logistics and supplies necessary.

Her added value is that she is willing to meet with you multiple times in person so that when the big day comes you feel like you are truly surrounded by familiar, supportive faces.

She was excellent at guiding me through helpful cues and images during labour, communicating with my partner, and assisting the midwife when she needed it. After the birth, Emerald helped me get comfortable with breastfeeding and came by to check up on us whenever we needed support. 

Overall I had a very positive experience and would highly recommend Emerald's doula services to others. 

Loressa Barnlund

12/14/2016

We were so extremely lucky to have Emerald step in to be our doula on short notice last year. Our original doula ended up having a scheduling conflict, and referred us to several others who had volunteered to replace her. We jumped at the chance to have Emerald. She was just the best; attended appointments with us, was available to me through all my distress, then helping us through the long and protracted birth process. And when I was rushed into an emergency C-section and my partner was too emotionally distraught to go in with me, it was Emerald who went in with me. During one of the scariest times of my life, she was my lifeline to keeping my anxiety and panic attacks at bay. She even took the best pictures of my son being born. Any family would be lucky to have her, she is seriously knowledgable, empathetic, and professional while remaining compassionate and helpful.

Sabrina LHeureux

11/17/2013

A very knowledgeable doula with a lot of experience! Confident and helpful.

Mukta Seth

9/15/2013

The birth of my son was a beautiful event in me and my husband's life and having Emerald as our doula gave me the confidence, knowledge and support we needed to fully embrace the experience.

She listened to my concerns, confusions , questions and helped me in keeping me calm and informed. My Son was born two weeks overdue. We were very anxious and stressed out but she kept us calm, to take important decisions and most importantly to stay positive. She was at my side the whole time of my labour which was approx. 20 hours helping me with the relaxation , breathing techniques, masaging me. Because of she being there, kept the panicky mode off my huband. She actively involved my husband so that he does not feel secluded and feels an active part of this very important journey of our life. After the birth she was there for me in my postpartrum time.. She wrote a beautiful birth story and presented it to me on our last visit which truly is a keepsake.

We were really blessed to have her as our birthing doula. She is AWESOME and we highly recommend her.

Thanks so much Emerald!!

You Rock!!

lesley dickson

9/15/2013

Emerald was great.  She met with me before my due date several times so we could get to know each other and feel comfortable together.  She was there with me the whole 24 hours of my labour and was calm and caring and confident.  She slept in the chair beside me when I needed to sleep, she talked to the medical staff to keep informed of my progress and their plan, and she kept my friends informed.  After my delivery she was wonderful too.  She visited me at the hospital every day and she came to my house many, many times to provide post natal doula services and help with nursing coaching, etc.

Hi hightly recommend Emerald as a doula.  She was a rock for me and I appreciated her so much.

Grace Scott

9/10/2013

Emerald was our post-partum doula when our first daughter was born back in 2009.  We became good friends, which is not hard with Emerald, because she's open minded, fun, very knowledgeable, and my daughter loves her.  I'm very proud to have her on my birthing team for our second daughter next January.

Birth Availability for Emerald Sarah Appleby

= Available. Calendar last updated: 04-15-2024

Postpartum Availability for Emerald Sarah Appleby

= Available. Calendar last updated: 04-15-2024