Nurturing the Mother

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

12/22/2025

Wondering when C-section scar massage is most effective?
The first six months of healing are a powerful window, with 6-8 weeks being the sweet spot!. ✨

During this time, the area is more responsive to gentle, consistent touch. You may notice changes in softness, mobility, and comfort more quickly because the tissue has not fully settled yet.

If you are past six months, it is still absolutely worthwhile to start. Scar tissue continues to adapt for a long time. Many people notice improvements well beyond the first year.

If you are within that early healing window, gentle massage can support your body in meaningful ways. Think of it as giving the tissue helpful information while it is most open to change.

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 🫶

Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage and Rehab for Health Care Professionals Kick off 2026 with these virtual & in per...
12/19/2025

Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage and Rehab for Health Care Professionals

Kick off 2026 with these virtual & in person offerings

📍February 7th & 8th | In-Person | , East Vancouver BC

📍March 8th & 9th | Online | Via Zoom

📍April 18th & 19th | In-Person | , Guelph ON

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, in-person or online training designed for health care professionals who want to show up more fully for this often-overlooked population.

You’ll learn:
Conception, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Loss & Trauma Awareness
Understanding Cesarean Birth - Primary care providers, Indications for a cesarean, Breech Babies, Risk and Complications & Anaesthesia during a Cesarean
Anatomy of a cesarean
Science of scar tissue
Pillars to cesarean recovery
Treatment - Babies, Intake & Assessment, Positioning, Treatment, Techniques, Home-care & Remex
Products that support recovery
Marketing & Visibility
And many different rabbit holes along the way

When we know how to support cesarean recovery, we offer something most people didn’t even know they needed—but never forget once they receive it.

✨ Want to join a room full of heart-led professionals learning this work together? DM me or email hello@nurturingthemother.ca for details and registration.

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

12/18/2025

As an RMT who works specifically with cesarean recovery, one of the most common questions I hear is, “How often should I massage my scar and abdomen?”

The answer is simpler than people expect. Your body responds best to small, consistent touch rather than long, intense sessions.

Here is what you could consider trying:

• Short, gentle touch once a day can create meaningful change. Even thirty seconds matters.
• Start around the scar, not directly on the incision line. This helps the nervous system relax before you work closer to it.
• Slow, light movements help the layers of skin and fascia glide with more ease.
• If the area feels tight or sensitive, shorter sessions are often more effective than pushing through discomfort.
• The real progress comes from consistency. Regular contact helps the tissue soften and helps your brain reconnect with the area.

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 🫶

Touching your C-section scar can feel surprisingly emotional, even months or years later. This reaction is common. When ...
12/17/2025

Touching your C-section scar can feel surprisingly emotional, even months or years later. This reaction is common. When you place your hand on the area, you wake up layers that have been quiet or guarded. Your nervous system remembers surgery, intensity, vulnerability, or fear. Touch can bring those memories forward in a gentle wave. For some people, it brings sadness. For others, gratitude. For many, a mix of both. Your scar holds more than tissue. It holds a moment in your life.

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 🫶

12/16/2025

Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form inside the body as it heals. They can create tightness, pulling, or a sense of restriction with certain movements.

Why do they happen? 😵💫
After surgery, the body works quickly to protect the area. As it lays down collagen to close the incision, nearby tissues can stick together while everything repairs.

Some adhesions stay quiet, and others can show up as stiffness around the scar, digestive changes, tugging with certain movements, or discomfort during exercise.

Here are gentle ways to support your body:
• Explore small movements like side bends and gentle twists within your comfort zone.
• Try light skin glide around the scar to help the outer layers stay supple.
• Pay attention to positions that feel “pull-y” and move into them slowly, not forcefully.

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 🫶

Join Laura Spence from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday December 19th at 11am PST and ...
12/15/2025

Join Laura Spence from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday December 19th at 11am PST and join in on the conversation.

Laura is a Midwife supporting folks with ADHD & Autism in Pregnancy & Birth. Join us as she shares exactly what that support looks like in pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood.

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

In the meantime, if you have any questions for Laura 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 🫶

Thinking about a VBAC? Here’s what to knowIf you had a c-section and are planning another birth, you might be wondering…...
12/15/2025

Thinking about a VBAC? Here’s what to know

If you had a c-section and are planning another birth, you might be wondering… VBAC or repeat c-section? 🤔

Here’s the truth: BOTH are valid choices. 💛 What matters most is what feels right for you.

🔹 VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)—Some parents want to try a vaginal birth after a c-section, and in many cases, it’s a safe option.

🔹 Repeat Cesarean—Others feel more comfortable scheduling a planned c-section. It can provide predictability and ease anxiety for some families.

💡 The key? Get informed, find a supportive provider, and trust your instincts. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Whatever you choose, you deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported every step of the way. 💕

Still not sure? offers a class called My Powerful VBAC where you explore all your options so you can make a choice best for you and your baby.

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 🫶

12/13/2025

🎄 All I want for Christmas 🎄

It’s not too much to ask. Is it?

But honestly, I see this all the time. When mamas have a road map to cesarean recovery they can let the unknown go and lean in to the time it takes to recovery.

Because here’s the thing. It takes 1-2 years to recover from a cesarean. The road may seem long but really it’s just slow and progressive.

And while we wait for the medical system to change, I’m here to support those who have questions about their cesarean recovery.

So if that’s you, I have a few options for you.

🩹 Download the products that support recovery by visiting my website.
❄️ Get the cesarean recovery guide: an online guide that leads you through recovery from day 1 to beyond
👋 Reach out. I’m always happy to support.

Join Jessica Medrea from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday December 12th at 11am PST an...
12/09/2025

Join Jessica Medrea from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday December 12th at 11am PST and join in on the conversation.

Jessica is a birth doula practicing in Vancouver, BC. Join us as she shares how she supports folks in pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood.

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

In the meantime, if you have any questions for Jessica 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 🫶

12/06/2025

A little walk for my mental health, holiday edition. 🎄

There is something about Christmas lights that pulls me out of my head and back into my body. The quiet sidewalks, the glow on the trees, the cold air on my face. It steadies me every time.

This season can feel busy, stretched, and emotional in ways we do not always name. If you need a reset, try stepping outside for a few minutes and look for the brightest thing on your street. Let it hold your attention. Let your body slow down. Let your shoulders drop.

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 🫶

12/06/2025

Why learn how to take care of your c-section scar early in recovery?

The optimal time to start c-section rehab is 0 to 3 months post op but it takes 1 to 2 years to heal from a cesarean AND symptoms from a cesarean can come and go throughout your life (think of an ankle injury or old shoulder injury and how those can sneak up and say hello from time to time).

This is why learning how to care for your c-section scar early in your recovery will give you the tools to care for your scar which will last a lifetime.

So as you live your life and if you pick up a new activity with your family, start a new sport, gain weight, lose weight, just simply age or if you go on a vacation where you find yourself having to carry your kiddo and walk for longer periods of time and your scar starts to feel uncomfortable again, you’ll know what to do.

Knowing how to care for our c-section scar is such an empowering feeling. And this empowered feeling is what I want you to feel in your c-section recovery.

If you have any questions about c-section recovery questions, drop them below or send me a DM. I’m always happy to support.

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 🫶

12/04/2025

Worried about touching your tummy and scar after a cesarean?
A lot of people feel that way at first.

Touching an area that has been through surgery can feel unfamiliar. Some people feel protective. Some feel disconnected.

Here are simple, safe ways to ease in:

🤎 Start with hand placement only
Warm your hands and rest them on your lower belly over clothing.
No pressure. Just contact.
Stay for 3 slow breaths.

🤎 Try a soft fabric first
Place a thin cloth or pillowcase between your hand and your tummy if direct touch feels too intense.
This helps your brain adjust gradually.

🤎 Use temperature as a cue
Place a warm compress over the area for a minute, then remove it and rest your hands there.
The warmth can make the tissue feel less guarded.

🤎 Explore the edges, not the scar
Gently place your hands on the skin around the scar.
You do not need to touch the incision line to reconnect with the area.

🤎 Keep the sessions short
Thirty seconds to one minute is enough when you are just starting.

Small steps count. Your body learns through gentle, consistent contact, not force or pressure.

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 🫶

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Vancouver, BC
V5Z3N8

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+16043141727

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