Emerald Perinatal Services

Emerald was very accommodating to my schedule and attended appointments with me and answered questions when needed. Thank you

Emerald proved to be very nice but very flaky. She would cancel meetings same day, one time she told us she would be 3 hours late then 15 mins before the new time said she couldn't make it as she was at a birth, a week or two later she inadvertently revealed to us she wasn't actually at a birth at that time, we chose not to bother calling her out on it as our birth had happened in between. The day of the birth she came early with the promised birthing tub but had a broken pump so she went out to get a new one... And decided to also run a bunch of family errands... The midwife arrived long before emerald ever came back... We'll past the point that my wife really wanted the tub. During pusing etc emerald was great, very attentive and supportive to both me and my wife. I just wish she had been a little less flaky and more punctual. Turns out she had family issues with her husband injured... She should have just sent the backup.

Emerald was my rock during the births of both my children. The first was "easy". A straightforward birth at home with my midwives. She helped make it easy. She was always there with the gentle suggestion I needed right then or physically there to support me at the right place and time. The second time was difficult, long and we ended up in hospital. She was there for me and my husband when I felt ignored by hospital staff. She kept my spirits up and supported my husband so he could be right with me where I needed him. Emerald was key in helping me know core cope with everything during and after. Her talks and support after were key in helping me process a difficult birth. I would highly recommend Emerald for her knowledge, experience and care.

It was my husband who brought up the need for a doula in my 37th week of pregnancy. This was our first child, we are living in a new city with no friend or family support, and the pandemic was not making it likely any would be flying in; I couldn’t disagree. I figured I would most need a doula to help me navigate the first few weeks postpartum, my husband felt we needed her to help navigate the delivery - well, help him navigate the delivery unit to locate coffee, etc. at the very least. We were able to set up a meeting with Emerald. Her no nonsense, knowledgeable approach (and understanding of our Navy lingo too) instantly put us at ease. She continued to be a calming resource as I processed the probability of needing an induction, taking the time to listen to my worries while providing insight as to what that would entail in layman’s terms. She continued to text and call to check up on my physical health, and more importantly, my mental health leading up to “D Day”. When the contractions really kicked off, Emerald was quick to drop everything and meet us at home to assess and make the decision to get us off to the hospital. Like most labour and deliveries, mine did not go to plan. But Emerald was there holding my hand… holding the shower wand, holding my juice cup, holding my leg up, 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 was able to relieve my husband to run home to shower, and feed our cat (and himself), by explaining when the best windows of time were upon us. 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 daughters birth, that alone is a wonderful reason to have a doula present. 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, and continued to offer additional resources should I feel I needed them. Emerald was invaluable in my having the birth I wanted, even when I could no longer have the birth I wanted.