Dr. Valerie Penton, Naturopathic Doctor

09/07/2025

A great class being offered in Gander!

Do you p*e when you sneeze? Although this is common it is not normal! Your pelvic floor health can affect all aspects of your life; back pain, painful s*x, urinary infections just to name a few.

You don’t have to live like this. Come educate yourself and get stronger in 6 weeks with a weekly class, at home videos to watch and workouts to do. Many women of all ages have done so in the past, with great results!

Classes are on Wednesday mornings 9-10. Starting Sept. 10th!

Inbox me for details if interested or have any questions.

09/06/2025

Breastfeeding women experience so much

no one warned me that breastfeeding might make me feel angry.

not weepy.
not soft.
not serene.

but… tense.
edgy.
like everything outside this room
was too loud, too much, too close.

turns out,
there’s a name for it
‘lactation aggression’

your body produces prolactin to make milk.
and with it,
a quiet undercurrent of hostility—
just enough to keep the world at arm’s length.
just enough to say:
‘not now. not her. not us’

in the past,
it protected the baby from threats.
today,
it just makes you snap at your partner
for asking what’s for dinner.

it doesn’t mean you’re broken.
it means your body is working.

still,
it’s hard.
hard to explain the mood swings,
the short fuse,
the way your skin feels too thin and too tight
all at once.

so if you’re breastfeeding
and feeling easily irritated,
off,
not like yourself

it’s not just you.
you’re not crazy.
you’re not a bad mom.

you’re just in it.
and your body is louder than usual.

The Breastmilk Queen - Amy McGlade

09/04/2025

Postpartum contractions aren’t talked about…

Expecting mothers are not adequately prepared for the fact that these contractions can be just as painful, if not more painful than labor contractions.

This phenomenon is not typically discussed. And there is a lack of awareness regarding the debilitating nature of these contractions.

These contractions are a result of your uterus shrinking back to its pre pregnancy size.

Postpartum contractions can start immediately after birth and persist for several days to a couple of weeks after.

Breastfeeding often makes these contractions worse, because breastfeeding releases the hormone oxytocin which stimulates these contractions.

After birth contractions are said to get worse with each child, and i’ve personally found this to be the case.

I wish more mothers knew about these contractions so they aren’t thrown into postpartum blind.

It makes it harder to cope and recover when you don’t know what to prepare for.

07/28/2025

Having an amazing and thoughtful friend with exceptional sourdough skills is a delight!!! Thanks so much !! 🥰

07/16/2025

I’ve officially started my maternity leave this month.

Baby 2 is almost here! 💛

My goal is to return in January 2026. As a business owner, I don’t have HR, paid time off, or a standard maternity leave package. For many women who are also sole practitioners, taking 6 months off is not always possible so I will be appreciating and experiencing every moment to the fullest.

While I am not in the clinic seeing patients, this is what I will be doing:

➡️ Staying active with Instagram and Facebook posts, and new content during my leave.

➡️ Resting when possible, while chasing a toddler and tending to a newborn. You’re allowed to slow down, too. However that looks for you. Even a few days of rest can be powerful.

➡️ Thinking of my wonderful patients and making plans to reconnect in the new year with even more knowledge and dedication to women’s health topics.

I am incredibly grateful for all the support and encouragement I have received from everyone as I prepare for this new chapter.
Thank you again for your understanding and support. I’m looking forward to staying in touch and reconnecting when I return.

Warmly,
Dr. Val xo

05/25/2025

🥳 Repost from Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine:

Naturopathic medicine is now formally recognized as part of Canada’s evolving primary care landscape.

We’re pleased to share that naturopathic doctors are featured in the newly released Compendium of Roles in Team-Based Primary Care, officially launched in April 2025 by the Canadian Health Workforce Network.

This national publication profiles the wide range of professionals contributing to modern primary care — now including naturopathic doctors and their role in collaborative, patient-centered care.

This achievement reflects the leadership of CCNM faculty and alumni, and the continued collaboration between CCNM, the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), and other integrative health partners.

Read the Compendium here: https://pulse.ly/ql8acmk7rh

02/25/2025

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Breast Cancer screening appointments now available through self referral for women aged 40-74.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18jEGYLBWr/

***𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧***

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝟰𝟬-𝟳𝟰

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is pleased to advise that individuals between 40-74 years may now self-refer for an appointment for breast screening.

Individuals can access breast screening through their primary health-care provider or through self-referral by calling a screening navigator toll-free at 1-800-414-3443.

FULL DETAILS: https://nlhealthservices.ca/news/post/breast-screening-now-available-for-ages-40-74/

11/28/2024

Notice regarding pap smear clinic for Central region!

11/20/2024

Today I woke thinking about Jailyn Candelario, the 16 month old baby left to starve to death in her playpen by her mother while she vacationed in Puerto Rico. She was left alone for 10 days. She ate her own f***s in an effort to survive.

The details of this case are seared into my brain and my heart breaks every time I think of it. It serves as a constant reminder that not all children are treated well and with love. It is our collective responsibility as a community to look out for the welfare of all children.

Neighbour’s ring cameras picked up Jailyn’s desperate screams until she no longer had the strength to cry. They knew her mother had a history of leaving her alone. No one intervened.

We all need to do better when it comes to vulnerable children. If you notice a child is being mistreated, do something. Bring it to the attention of the authorities or speak up yourself.
Children need love and support as they struggle to understand the consequences of living in this modern world.

Today is National Child Day. Let’s honor the children, especially those without a voice.

11/13/2024

The rugged coastline of Newfoundland- absolutely beautiful!

11/13/2024

Back in clinic today after a whirlwind trip to Toronto for the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) Board meeting. What an amazing time with incredible Naturopathic Doctors (NDs)from all across Canada. 🧑‍⚕️🩺

It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to meet this fine crew in person and participate in meetings that work to promote Naturopathic Medicine and the profession!
Looking forward to what 2025 will bring 😉

11/13/2024

Women’s pain is dismissed far too often!
These stories are just a few of the many I hear daily in practice. There has got to be greater discussion and more solutions than just chalking up authentic pain to women being “hysterical” or “emotional” or it being “all in their head.”