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.

Join Gemma from .motherflock & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday April 10th at 11am PST an...
04/06/2026

Join Gemma from .motherflock & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday April 10th at 11am PST and join the conversation.

Gemma is the founder of The MotherFlock, a community for new moms. Join us as Gemma shares the importance of having a community to support you in parenthood.

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

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

04/01/2026

It’s cesarean awareness month and do you know what that means here .ca?

Not a whole lot 😆 it doesn’t matter which day or which month because every day is cesarean awareness month.

With that being said, I do have a very special project in the works that will be launched soon. So keep a look 👀 out because I’ll need your help to make this project truly shine.

If you’re new here and you’re wondering how you can be supported when planning or after a cesarean here’s how:
✨ Follow this account for cesarean recovery tips & general motherhood musings.
🏔️ Local to Vancouver? Book in for a cesarean massage &
📝 Mamas, get the Cesarean Recovery Guide - a week by week online guide that supports you in your cesarean recovery.
🌸 Practitioners, join an in person or virtual training to learn how to support folks in their cesarean recovery.

Have questions about cesarean recovery? Please reach out. I’m always happy to connect and support.

✨ Are you looking to expand your knowledge and confidence in treating mothers after a cesarean birth? Look no further. ✨...
04/01/2026

✨ Are you looking to expand your knowledge and confidence in treating mothers after a cesarean birth? Look no further. ✨

🌸 Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage and Rehab for Health Care Professionals 2026 schedule is here 🌸

LIVE VIRTUAL

☀️ June 7th & 8th | Online | Via Zoom 💻 NEXT VIRTUAL 📝

🍂 October 4th & 5th | Online | Via Zoom

IN PERSON

📍September 26th & 27th , East Vancouver BC

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.

✨ 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.



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 🫶

☕️ Nurturing Talks 🌸 Here’s who I’m chatting with this month!Join us live on Instagram as I chat with some inspiring fol...
03/31/2026

☕️ 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

April 3rd - No Nurturing Talks 🐰 🐣

April 10th - Gemma Van Sylke - Founder of The MotherFlock Vancouver’s Mom Community .motherflock

April 16th - Ali Day - Paediatric Physiotherapy from *Thursday April 16th at 3:30pm PST

April 24th - Robyn Rayner - RMT & Prenatal and Postpartum Athleticism Coach from .mom.strong

So come join us 💕 We can’t wait 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 🫶

03/30/2026

I don’t need a vacation away from my kids.

I need a vacation from EVERYTHING that prevents me from enjoying them.

Because the cooking, cleaning, laundry and all those other things that keep me running doesn’t really keep me present.

Sure I try but i often feel torn in so many different directions and when they say Maman, come play trains with me? Or can we build a puzzle. I’d love to say yes but often I have to say not right now.

When we are on vacation we can spend that time. Connect. Explore. Discover. Laugh and just be with one another.

And that’s where so much of the magic happens.

And this is why I continue to prioritize time together and travel.

They will never be this little again.

03/29/2026

This is one of the things I love the most about parenting.

Seeing the world through their eyes.

And it doesn’t have to be big fanciful things. It starts simple when their chubby hands point to something. Or their eyes sparkle when they see something that lights them up.

There aren’t often words but the look is there and I watch for it. Then I am reminded of the simple things in life or just how beautiful or amazing something can be.

Because really when we slow down enough our children can teach us so much.

03/28/2026

Hello from Animal Kingdom 🦒

Did you know that flamingos lose their pink postpartum?

They get their colour from krill and much of those pigment loaded nutrients go to caring for their young. This is why parent flamingos are often white or pale pink.

So if you’re feeling like a pale flamingo postpartum. Know that you’re not alone. In time, you too will regain your vibrant colour. 🦩

Join Ashley from .co & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday March 20th at 11am PST and join ...
03/17/2026

Join Ashley from .co & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday March 20th at 11am PST and join in on the conversation.

Ashley is a registered massage therapist with a focus on integrating therapeutic movement to support her clients wellbeing. Join us as Ashely 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 Ashley 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 🫶

03/14/2026

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 🫶

[ c-section recovery, scar massage, core rehab, pelvic floor recovery, postpartum healing, compression therapy, scar desensitization, postpartum wellness, cesarean care plan, holistic healing ]

🤔 Why start caring for your C-section scar early? ❤️🩹Because how you support your healing in the first weeks can influen...
03/13/2026

🤔 Why start caring for your C-section scar early? ❤️🩹
Because how you support your healing in the first weeks can influence how your body feels for years to come.

Learn how to care for your body intentionally with The Cesarean Recovery Guide; a self-paced online program that walks you through every stage of recovery with clarity and confidence.

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 🫶

[ c-section recovery, scar massage, core rehab, pelvic floor recovery, postpartum healing, compression therapy, scar desensitization, postpartum wellness, cesarean care plan, holistic healing ]

03/13/2026

Life hack 🔔 Set yourself a rehab reminder

Here I am practicing what I preach - contrast arm baths.

These are excellent for anyone experiencing forearm, hand and/or wrist pain - hello postpartum mamas holding, rocking, feeding, strolling and doing all the things with their upper body all day long!

So how do you do a contrast arm bath?

Pretty simple.

In a double sink (or a sink and a plastic bin), fill one with hot/warm water and the other with cold/cool water.
🔥 Start in the hot/warm and soak those forearms for 3 minutes.
🧊 Then on to the cold/cool for 1 minute.
🔁 Repeat 4 to 6 times ending in cold.

Voila!

For an extra dose of ooooohhhhh, add epsom salts to the warm water.

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Vancouver, BC
V5Z3N8

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+16043141727

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