Nurturing the Mother
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Hello! I'm Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist, Postpartum Doula & creator of The Cesarean Recovery Guide.
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.
🫶🥹 this is what it's all about
Hi, I'm Janelle, a Registered Massage Therapist and the founder behind Nurturing the Mother.
I created this space because I kept watching c-section mamas leave their appointments with more questions than answers, and I knew there had to be a better way to reach them.
So I built it. The Cesarean Recovery Guide, the Is My Scar Normal project, the continuing education course for healthcare professionals, and this little corner of the internet where c-section recovery finally gets the attention it deserves.
Whether you just had your cesarean or it's been years and something still doesn't feel right, you are in the right place. And if you're a practitioner who wants to learn how to support this population with confidence, I have something for you too.
I'm so glad you're here. 🤎
A recipe for cesarean recovery 👩🍳
✨ Patience & Self Compassion - recovery takes 1-2 years so slow and steady is the name of this game.
✨ Support - family, friends, postpartum doulas, massage therapists 👋, pelvic floor physios… call in the village!
✨ Rest - take it slow. Healing (and caring for a newborn) takes energy. Rest is paramount in the early weeks
✨ Pictures of Your Scar - to track progress and changes and to see how amazing you are at healing
✨ Compression - ASAP. With an ab wrap, compression underwear or tights/shorts
✨ Core Connection - slowly start reconnecting to your core and rebuilding strength
✨ Scar Tissue Mobility - getting that scar moving through self massage will go a long way. Start once the incision is fully closed and no scab is present
✨ Trust your Unique Journey - don’t compare yourself to others. There are SO many factors that affect healing that we can’t compare ourselves with others. Your healing journey is unique to you.
If you want a more detailed version of this, check out The Cesarean Recovery Guide. A week by week guide that supports you through your cesarean recovery so you’re not left questioning what to do next.
Want the guide? Drop a ✨ below and I’ll send you the link.
In the meantime if you have questions, reach out. I’m always happy to support.
09/24/2026
That tender spot near your cesarean scar that flares every month? It might have a name… 🫢
Scar endometriosis is a rare condition where tissue similar to the lining of your uterus grows in or around a surgical scar, most often in the abdominal wall after a C-section. Because that tissue still responds to your hormones, it can act up right at the incision site with your cycle.
What it can feel like:
🔸 Aching, burning, or pricking pain near the scar that spikes before or during your period
🔸 A firm lump or swelling under the skin that gets more tender around menstruation
🔸 Spotting or brownish discharge from the scar during your period
🔸 Discolouration at the scar site
Because it can look so much like ordinary post-surgical healing, it sometimes takes a while to get named for what it is. That’s exactly why your own awareness matters. You know your body, and noticing the pattern is the first step toward answers.
If any of this sounds familiar, save this post and bring it to your next appointment if you believe you are experiencing this. Follow .ca for more on cesarean recovery and caring for yourself after birth.
We created this with Naomi of , who has lived scar endometriosis herself after an emergency cesarean. Give her a follow to learn more, and check out the community-led provider directory she’s building to help moms get recognized and supported sooner. 🤍
Making sure we all saw it ✈️
09/23/2026
Join Dr. Michelle from Dr. Michelle Zemari, Pregnancy & Pediatric Chiropractor & myself, Janelle from Nurturing The Mother ✨ C-section recovery for our next Nurturing Talks on Friday September 25th at 11am PST and join the conversation.
Dr. Michelle is a pregnancy and pediatric chiropractor. Listen in as Dr. Michelle shares how a chiropractor can provide support during pregnancy, postpartum, and for infants.
Can’t make it on Friday? Catch the replay!
In the meantime, if you have any questions for Dr. Michelle 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 🫶
09/22/2026
Ok! I hear this often.
New parents aren't so sure about babywearing after a cesarean. Sometimes they even feel discomfort in their lower back or neck and shoulders after wearing their little ones for a while.
So what can be done about that?
I brought in the pro - Karla, a babywearing educator from to answer these exact questions.
Karla says: Connecting with a babywearing educator can help you adjust your current carrier so that babywearing feels comfortable and effortless. Don’t have a carrier yet? The We Love Babywearing Lending Library offers a wide variety of carriers you can try before you buy. The lending library is available monthly, and I also host babywearing meetups and offer online or in-person support throughout the month.
Fun fact - Karla and I did a Nurturing Talks all about babywearing after a cesarean back in December! Want to catch the replay? Drop an emoji below and I'll send you the talk.
Have more questions about babywearing? Drop a comment below or DM Karla
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 ]
09/21/2026
🍂 The last Virtual cohort for 2026 is two weeks away! 🍂 Will you join us?
Do you support mothers during pregnancy and postpartum? Are you confident in supporting them to prepare for and recover from a cesarean?
If not, Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage and Rehab for Healthcare Professionals is for you.
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, online training designed for health care professionals who want to show up more fully for this often-overlooked population.
🗓 October 4 & 5 2026 VIA ZOOM
⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM PST
🗓 Follow-up: Q&A, Integration & Business Mastermind for Virtual VIA ZOOM
✨ NEW FOR FALL COHORTS! ✨ Integration and Business Mastermind
The Wrap up Q&A Call for the virtual cohort has been up-leveled. It will now include a conversation about Integration and for those interested, a Mastermind session where we can brainstorm and level up your massage business. The in person cohort will also be included in this wrap up call.
What you’ll get:
• 2 live teaching days
• Ongoing support inside a private WhatsApp group until the final Q&A call.
• Real-time integration and case discussion
• Final Q&A, Integration & Business Mastermind
✨ Want to join a room full of heart-led professionals learning this work together? DM me or email [email protected] for details and registration.
Let’s nurture the nurturers. Let’s change the standard of care.
09/20/2026
Follow along or share this free guide with someone who needs it! .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 🫶
[ c-section recovery, scar massage, core rehab, pelvic floor recovery, postpartum healing, compression therapy, scar desensitization, postpartum wellness, cesarean care plan, holistic healing ]
Cesarean rates are 41% locally, with 60.3% of those being unplanned.
Families are being sent home with little understanding of recovery beyond being told to take it easy and watch for infection.
If you work with postpartum clients in any capacity, you are already seeing this gap. Be apart of the change and close the gap by being a health care professional in the perinatal field who can help more families with their scars
Nurturing the Mother: Cesarean Massage & Rehab for Healthcare Professionals is for RMTs, bodyworkers, rehab professionals, movement practitioners, and postpartum support providers who want to confidently add cesarean scar work and recovery support to their practice.
Inside the training we cover:
Conception, pregnancy, postpartum, loss and trauma awareness. Understanding cesarean birth including primary care providers, indications, breech babies, risks, complications, and anaesthesia. Anatomy of a cesarean. The science of scar tissue. Pillars of cesarean recovery. Treatment including babies in the treatment room, intake and assessment, positioning, techniques, home care, and re-examination. Products that support recovery. + marketing and visibility so you can actually reach the clients who need you.
You will leave understanding the full experience of cesarean recovery and knowing exactly how to support it. You will become the practitioner people recommend because they finally felt seen, understood, and supported.
These are the last two offerings of 2026
In Person, Vancouver BC
September 26th & 27th at Local Health
Virtual via Zoom
October 4th & 5th
Both cohorts are invited to a follow-up Q&A, Integration and Business Mastermind on October 19th, 10-11am via Zoom. New for fall, this wrap-up session now includes a dedicated conversation on integrating the course material into your practice and, for those interested, a mastermind to brainstorm and level up your business.
Spots are limited. Link in bio to register or add yourself to the 2027 waitlist. DMs are open if you have questions. 🤎
09/17/2026
Does your cesarean scar ever feel tight or uncomfortable? It may be worth exploring scar mobilization. 😯
Here are 4️⃣ signs that your scar might benefit from gentle massage or mobilization:
✨ It feels tight when you stand , exercise or stretch
✨ You notice a pulling sensation near your pelvis
✨ There’s tenderness or numbness around the scar
✨ You’ve experienced changes in posture or discomfort elsewhere
Scar mobilization can support recovery and help improve overall movement and comfort. Want tips on how to start? Let’s talk!
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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