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.

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.

Looking for a practitioner near you who has trained under me by completing my course Nurturing The Mother: Cesarean Mass...
03/12/2026

Looking for a practitioner near you who has trained under me by completing my course Nurturing The Mother: Cesarean Massage & Rehab for Health Care Professionals?

Find a complete directory in my link in bio sorted by geographic locations!

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 ]

I’m honoured to be speaking at an upcoming RMTAO webinar 🎤 I’ll be joining the Registered Massage Therapists’ Associati...
03/11/2026

I’m honoured to be speaking at an upcoming RMTAO webinar 🎤

I’ll be joining the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario to teach on cesarean recovery: an area that impacts a large portion of postpartum clients and is still often under-addressed in clinical education.

Cesarean birth is major abdominal surgery. Many people are navigating recovery while caring for a newborn, often with limited guidance focused on their own healing. This is where RMTs play an important role.

In this webinar, we’ll explore:
✨ how RMTs can thoughtfully support people after cesarean birth
✨ when it’s appropriate to begin abdominal and scar-area work
✨ what meaningful, realistic homecare can look like
✨ the four pillars of cesarean recovery
✨ products and tools that may support healing

The focus is practical, and evidence-informed, so you leave with clarity and confidence in how to start supporting this population.

Registration details, including pricing and early bird options, are available through RMTAO. (Link in my bio!)

🔗 Link in bio for full details and to register

This session is open to RMTAO members, and members of the public. All RMTs are invited to register!

Let’s continue to raise the standard of care around surgical birth and recovery.

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 ]

Join Paige from .collective.sleep & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday March 13th at 11am P...
03/10/2026

Join Paige from .collective.sleep & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday March 13th at 11am PST and join in on the conversation.

Paige and Georgina run the Woodlands Collective and are Baby and child sleep coaches. Join us as Paige 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 Paige 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 🫶

This past week I taught 6 amazing practitioners how to support folks who have had a cesarean through cesarean massage an...
03/10/2026

This past week I taught 6 amazing practitioners how to support folks who have had a cesarean through cesarean massage and rehab. And now they’re out in the world ready to support YOU.

If you’re looking for an RMT or therapist, look no further.

Canada 🇨🇦

British Columbia
Michelle Rebgliati - RMT - Cranbrook
Natalie Dacquisto - RMT - Abbotsford .rmt .ca

Alberta
Nicole Gilbert - RMT - Calgary

Saskatchewan
Victoria Loughran - RMT & Doula - Saskatoon

Ontario
Monika Sobota - RMT - Port Elgin
Alexie Reilly - RMT - Guelph

You’ll be in good hands. ✨



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 🫶

03/10/2026

How much pressure do you use when massaging your cesarean scar?

The pressure required to check if an avocado is ripe. 🥑

Not make guacamole.

Many are often surprised as to how much pressure is actually used when massaging after a c-section. A little pressure goes a long way when it comes to c-section scar massage ✨

Want to learn how to massage your scar? Check out The Cesarean Recovery Guide for a week by week guide that supports you through self massage to promote healing after a cesarean.

Link in b!o for your week by week recovery guide.

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 ]

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

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category