Nurturing the Mother

Nurturing the Mother Hello! I'm Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist, Postpartum Doula & creator of The Cesarean Recovery Guide.
(1)

I am here to support and empower you in pregnancy, postpartum and especially post csection. Nurturing the Mother is the result of an evolution of care. Through the years I, Janelle Fontaine, have grown my practice from being a massage therapist to the general public to narrowing my skills in supporting birthing folks in pregnancy and postpartum. After the birth of my first son, I saw the need for

postpartum support and became a postpartum doula. Being a postpartum doula allowed me to support birthing folks in a different way. It gave me the insight and tools to empower parents to be the parents they want to be. The next layer has been the addition of The Cesarean Recovery Guide. Seeing clients after their cesarean, I noticed a need for reconnection to self as well as a deep interest from clients to know what to do with their scar and abdomen. That’s when The Cesarean Recovery Guide was born - a guide meant to empower a client’s healing journey with self paced learning of hands on massage therapy. What drives all this is my belief that if a parent is supported, they can care for themselves and for their child. And the question that keeps pushing the evolution of Nurturing the Mother is - how good can this get? So join me, lean in to the support, and let me nurture you so you can be the best version of the parent you and your family needs.

Join Cayley Benjamin from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday June 5th at 11am PST and jo...
06/02/2026

Join Cayley Benjamin from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday June 5th at 11am PST and join the conversation.

Cayley is matrescence educator, educating mothers and health care practitioners on matrescense. Listen in as Cayley shares about matrescence and what she is doing to put it on the map for every mother and practitioner supporting mothers.

Can’t make it on Friday? Catch the replay!

In the meantime, if you have any questions for Cayley or myself, drop them below and tag us! We can’t wait to connect.

✨

Nurturing Talks is a weekly series of Instagram Lives where I chat with some inspiring folks who work to support people in pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood.



Hello! 👋 I’m Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist with a focus on c-section recovery. Whether you just had a c-section or had one long ago, follow along for tips and tricks and all things cesarean healing related and out c-section recovery into your own hands✨

Have questions? My DMs are always open 🫶

✨ The short answer:Wait until your incision is fully closed, the scab has fallen off, or you’ve been cleared by your car...
06/02/2026

✨ The short answer:
Wait until your incision is fully closed, the scab has fallen off, or you’ve been cleared by your care provider (typically around 6–8 weeks).

Here’s why:

In the early stages of healing, your body is still closing and stabilizing the tissue.
Introducing movement too soon can irritate the area or disrupt that process.

Once healing has progressed, gentle, progressive scar work can support:

💟 improved tissue mobility
💟 reduced tightness or pulling
💟 better overall comfort through your abdomen and core

Inside my Cesarean Recovery Guide, I walk you through exactly how to approach this safely and step by step—so you’re not left guessing.

👉 Save this for later, especially if a c-section may be part of your birth story

☕️ Nurturing Talks ☀️ Here’s who I’m chatting with this month!Join us live on Instagram as I chat with some inspiring fo...
06/01/2026

☕️ Nurturing Talks ☀️ Here’s who I’m chatting with this month!

Join us live on Instagram as I chat with some inspiring folks who work to support people in pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood.

Mark your calendars 🗓️ Fridays at 11am PST

June 5th - Cayley Benjamin - Matrescence Educator from

June 12th - Dr. Emily McManus - Pregnancy, Baby and Family Chiropractor from

June 19th - Sarah Labou - Babywearing Educator from

June 26th - Jae Day - Full Spectrum Doula from

So come join us 💕 We can’t wait to have you.

Nurturing Talks will take a summer break and return in September. If you would like to join for a fall talk, send me a DM. I would love to have you.



Hello! 👋 I’m Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist with a focus on c-section recovery. Whether you just had a C-section or had one long ago, follow along for tips and tricks and all things cesarean healing related

✨ Have questions? My DMs are always open 🫶

Today I came across a video from a large influencer in their perinatal space (whom I love by the way!) and it had me thi...
06/01/2026

Today I came across a video from a large influencer in their perinatal space (whom I love by the way!) and it had me thinking…

Do you know that scar work is for everyone? Weeks or decades postpartum? Cesarean sections are my cup of tea, but this also translates to breast tissue scars and scars on other parts of the body too!

The goal is the same: recover, restore, regain confidence and function.

It’s never too late to begin scar work. If you’re not sure where to start my at home DIY program The Cesarean Recovery Guide is calling your name.

🔔We are ONE WEEK away from the last cohort until this fall! 🔔Do you support clients during pregnancy and postpartum? Are...
05/31/2026

🔔We are ONE WEEK away from the last cohort until this fall! 🔔

Do you support clients during pregnancy and postpartum? Are you confident in supporting them to prepare for and recover from a cesarean?

If not, Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage and Rehab for Healthcare Professionals is for you.

Cesarean births make up over 1 in 3 births in Canada, and most are unplanned. That means thousands of people are recovering from major abdominal surgery while learning how to care for a newborn—often with very little support for their own healing.

That’s where you come in.

Join me for a two-day, online training designed for health care professionals who want to show up more fully for this often-overlooked population.

🗓 June 7 & 8, 2026 VIA ZOOM
⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM PST

🗓 June 22, 2026 VIA ZOOM
⏰ 10:00 – 11:00 AM PST
Integration + Q&A

What you’ll get:
• 2 live teaching days
• Ongoing support inside a private WhatsApp group for the duration of the course
• Real-time integration and case discussion
• Final session to bring it into your practice and services

💳 Investment: $399 + tax

✨ Want to join a room full of heart-led professionals learning this work together? DM me or email [email protected] for details and registration.

Let’s nurture the nurturers. Let’s change the standard of care.

Join Dr. Michelle from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday May 29th at 11am PST and join ...
05/25/2026

Join Dr. Michelle from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday May 29th at 11am PST and join the conversation.

Dr. Michelle is a pregnancy and pediatric chiropractor. Listen in as Dr. Michelle shares how a chiropractor can provide support during pregnancy, postpartum, and for infants.

Can’t make it on Friday? Catch the replay!

In the meantime, if you have any questions for Dr. Michelle or myself, drop them below and tag us! We can’t wait to connect.

✨

Nurturing Talks is a weekly series of Instagram Lives where I chat with some inspiring folks who work to support people in pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood.



Hello! 👋 I’m Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist with a focus on c-section recovery. Whether you just had a c-section or had one long ago, follow along for tips and tricks and all things cesarean healing related and out c-section recovery into your own hands✨

Have questions? My DMs are always open 🫶

05/23/2026

It is never too late! ⏰

Scar tissue continues to change for a long time. The surface may look healed, but the deeper layers stay active and responsive for months. Gentle massage can help with mobility, comfort, and connection at any stage.

Here are simple ways to begin, no matter how long it has been:

1. Start with light contact
Rest your fingertips on the skin and take a few slow breaths. This helps your body relax before any movement.

2. Work around the scar first
Move the skin in small circles above, below, and beside the incision. It helps the surrounding tissue soften.

3. Keep pressure gentle
Think of moving the skin, not pressing into the muscle. Slow and light is enough.

4. Pay attention to tight or sticky spots
Hold your fingers there for a few seconds and let the tissue respond.

5. Be consistent, not intense
One minute a day is far more effective than a long session once in a while.

Your body does not close the door on healing. It just needs time, awareness, and calm touch.

More guidance for cesarean recovery is at nurturingthemother.ca

Hello! 👋 I’m Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist with a focus on c-section recovery. Whether you just had a c-section or had one long ago, follow along for tips and tricks and all things cesarean healing related and put c-section recovery into your own hands✨ Have questions? My DMs are always open 🫶
"

In British Columbia, 41% of births are cesarean. And more than half of those are unplanned. Across Canada, that's 1 in 3...
05/22/2026

In British Columbia, 41% of births are cesarean. And more than half of those are unplanned. Across Canada, that's 1 in 3 mamas.

Which means there is a very real chance with the current situation that your birth story may look different than you pictured

But here is what I want you to know: preparing for a c-section on a birth plan WITH your vaginal birth plan too does not mean you are giving up on your vaginal birth goals. It does not mean you are expecting the worst. It means you are taking care of yourself, no matter what happens in that delivery room.

You are not manifesting a cesarean by reading about it. You are just being the informed, empowered mama that you already are. 🌿

Think of it like packing an umbrella. You are hoping for sunshine. But if the rain comes, you will be so glad you were ready.

Knowing your preferences ahead of time, understanding what recovery might look like, and having a support team in place can make a world of difference. Not just physically, but emotionally too.

Save this for later and share it with an expecting mama who needs to hear it. ✨

Do you support clients during pregnancy and postpartum? Are you confident in supporting them to prepare for and recover ...
05/21/2026

Do you support clients during pregnancy and postpartum? Are you confident in supporting them to prepare for and recover from a cesarean?

If not, Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage and Rehab for Healthcare Professionals is for you.

We are almost two weeks away from the June cohort and space is still available for you to join.

Cesarean births make up over 1 in 3 births in Canada, and most are unplanned. That means thousands of people are recovering from major abdominal surgery while learning how to care for a newborn—often with very little support for their own healing.

That’s where you come in.

Join me for a two-day, online training designed for health care professionals who want to show up more fully for this often-overlooked population.

🗓 June 7 & 8, 2026 VIA ZOOM
⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM PST

🗓 June 22, 2026 VIA ZOOM
⏰ 10:00 – 11:00 AM PST
Integration + Q&A

What you’ll get:
• 2 live teaching days
• Ongoing support inside a private WhatsApp group for the duration of the course
• Real-time integration and case discussion
• Final session to bring it into your practice and services

💳 Investment: $399 + tax

✨ Want to join a room full of heart-led professionals learning this work together? DM me or email [email protected] for details and registration.

Let’s nurture the nurturers. Let’s change the standard of care.

Address

Vancouver, BC
V5Z3N8

Telephone

+16043141727

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nurturing the Mother posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Nurturing the Mother:

Shortcuts

Share

Category