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.

It is never too late! ⏰ Scar tissue continues to change for a long time. The surface may look healed, but the deeper lay...
05/16/2026

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 🫶

05/15/2026

Wondering when C-section scar massage is most effective? 🤨

Once the incision is fully closed, scab fallen off, or you’ve been cleared by your care provider (often around 6–8 weeks postpartum), the early healing phase can be a very responsive time for gentle scar work.

During this stage, collagen is still actively remodeling and the tissue is adapting in structure and sensitivity.

In clinical practices, this is when gentle, appropriate touch may help support:
• tissue mobility
• desensitization
• local circulation
• comfort with movement
• nervous system regulation

That said, scar tissue continues to remodel for 12–18 months and often longer.

So if you are past that early window, it is still absolutely worthwhile to begin.

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 ]




TheCesareanGuide

Cesarean rates are 41% locally with 60.3% of them being unplanned. 😯Families are being sent home with little understandi...
05/14/2026

Cesarean rates are 41% locally with 60.3% of them being unplanned. 😯

Families are being sent home with little understanding of recovery beyond being told to take it easy and watch for infection.

This training is for professionals who want to change that.

Whether you work in massage therapy, rehab, perinatal care, bodywork, movement, or postpartum support, this course gives you practical tools to confidently support recovery after cesarean birth.

Inside the training we cover:
* 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 in treatment room, Intake & Assessment, Positioning, Treatment, Techniques, Home-care & Remex
* Products that support recovery
* Marketing & Visibility

This is more than learning a few techniques.
It’s understanding the full experience of cesarean recovery and becoming the practitioner people recommend because they finally felt seen, understood, and supported.

💻 Join virtually from anywhere in our June live online cohort!

👉 Secure your spot through my profile or send me a DM!

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 ]





Early bird is flying away soon 🐦✨If you’ve been thinking about joining the June Virtual Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean M...
05/13/2026

Early bird is flying away soon 🐦✨

If you’ve been thinking about joining the June Virtual Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage & Rehab for Health Care Professionals cohorts, now’s the time.

JUNE VIRTUAL early bird ends in 48 hours!

This course/hands-on training is such a special gathering of thoughtful practitioners and professionals like you who want to learn, connect, and offer more to the cesarean mothers they care for. If that sounds like you — we’d love to welcome you in 💜

If you’ve been waiting for a nudge; this is it. Come as you are, leave with tools, connection, and perspective you can bring right back to your clients 💫

👉 Link in bio to save your spot before the rate changes.

05/12/2026

Curious about The Cesarean Recovery Guide for mothers or Cesarean Massage & Rehab for Professionals, Janelle’s course on how to care for folks after cesarean in the treatment room? Get a glimpse here today and stay tuned later this week on .ca for more! ✨ and check out for her newest project!

05/11/2026

🚨 JUNE VIRTUAL LIVE TRAINING on June 7 & 8th 2026!
💻 Early Bird: $350 + tax
(price increases after May 15!)

Cesarean rates are 41% locally with 60.3% of them being unplanned.
Families are being sent home with little understanding of recovery beyond being told to take it easy and watch for infection.

This training is for professionals who want to change that.

Whether you work in massage therapy, rehab, perinatal care, bodywork, movement, or postpartum support, this course gives you practical tools to confidently support recovery after cesarean birth.

Inside the training we cover:
✨ Cesarean anatomy + scar tissue science
✨ Recovery techniques + treatment approaches
✨ Positioning, home care + products that help
✨ Trauma-informed support
✨ Supporting babies in practice
✨ Real clinical application + case discussions
✨ Marketing your work + growing visibility in your community

This is more than learning a few techniques.
It’s understanding the full experience of cesarean recovery and becoming the practitioner people recommend because they finally felt seen, understood, and supported.

💻 Join virtually from anywhere
⚡ Early bird pricing ends May 15.

👉 Secure your spot through my profile or send me a DM!

Join Emelia from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday May 15th at 11am PST and join the co...
05/11/2026

Join Emelia from & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday May 15th at 11am PST and join the conversation.

Emilia is a holistic fertility, birth and postpartum Doula, a pilates & wellness enthusiast along with being a Childbirth Educator. Listen in as Emilia shares how a doula and childbirth educator 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 Emelia 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 🫶
Janelle Fontaine

After a C-section, it’s common to notice numbness, itching, or tightness around your scar. These sensations can happen f...
05/08/2026

After a C-section, it’s common to notice numbness, itching, or tightness around your scar. These sensations can happen for a few reasons:

✨ Numbness – The small sensory nerves in the skin are often stretched, cut, or affected during surgery. As they slowly re-establish communication, that area can feel less sensitive or “asleep.”

✨ Itchiness – As tissues knit together and nerves regenerate, the area can feel tingly or itchy. This doesn’t always mean irritation, it can be considered a normal part of the repair process.

✨ Tightness or pulling – Deeper layers of fascia and connective tissue may heal with some restriction. This can make the area feel less mobile or create pulling sensations when you move, cough, or stretch.

This is where scar massage can come in handy!

These experiences can shift over time and are unique to each person.

Gentle movement, mindful touch, and when appropriate, therapeutic scar work may help your tissues move and communicate more freely again.

Every scar tells a story, what matters most is learning how to listen to it.

❤️🩹 More C-section recovery education at .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 🫶

05/07/2026

✨ The short answer:
Wait until your incision is fully closed and 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

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 ]

05/07/2026

I know I’m often the hardest on myself… just like every other mama out there. In my massage treatment room, I’m often reminding other moms: You’re just one person, you’re doing an amazing job, and you’re doing so much. Be kind to yourself.

But let’s be real… sometimes we need that reminder for ourselves too!! If you’re out there doing your best, I hope you see what I see: a whole community of good moms. Let’s remind each other (and ourselves) every single day. We’re doing a great job, even on the messy days. 💞🫶🏼

Join Katie from .fit & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday May 8th at 8:30am PST and join th...
05/05/2026

Join Katie from .fit & myself, Janelle from .ca for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday May 8th at 8:30am PST and join the conversation.

Katie is The Busy Mama’s Fit Coach. Listen in as Katie shares how an fitness coach 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 Katie 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 🫶

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Vancouver, BC
V5Z3N8

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+16043141727

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