Our Services
Postnatal Care
1. Postpartum Recovery
Ayurvedic Postpartum Recovery & Rejuvenation
The ancient system of medicine, Ayurveda, says the first 42 days after birth should be focused on rest, rejuvenation and bonding with baby in order to support the great changes of the body, mind and spirit. To heal from child birth while also investing in future health, recovery home visits focus on balancing the postpartum body, restoring the reproductive tissues, supporting the digestive system and promoting lactation.
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Abhyanga can be started the day of birth unless a mother has had a cesarean, in which it is best to wait at least 7-10 days before beginning abhyanga.
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The postpartum abhyanga is a very gentle full body treatment using repetitive and soothing strokes to help distribute warm, herbalized oil deep into the body, circulate the energy, and strengthen the postpartum body for faster healing. It is considered more of an oil therapy, focused on calming the nervous system and nourishing the skin and tissues, rather than focusing on the muscular system. In one treatment, up to 8oz of organic oil is used, and is also why this type of treatment usually comes at a bit of a higher price point then a standard massage.
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In Ayurveda, it is recommended that a new mom receives daily abhyanga for the first 42 days after birth. When a mother receives a consecutive amount of abhyangas in a short period of time, the benefits are compounded and she sees greater results in her recovery. Simply put, do what you can. One is better than none, but the more abhyangas the better.
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To receive the most benefits from the recovery sessions I highly encourage my clients to schedule their visits as close to the birth as possible, as well as close together. For example, a package of three becomes far more effective if treatments are scheduled back to back versus once a week for three weeks.
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My particular work is focused on restorative Ayurvedic postpartum body care methods.
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Visits are usually anywhere between 2 to 3 hours, which includes set up and clean up.
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Yes, I only use organic oils. Herbs are either organic or wildcrafted. All food is also organic.
In Sanskrit, the word "Sneha" can be translated both as oil and love. It is said that saturating the body in oil is akin to being saturated in love, bringing deep feelings of stability , warmth, and comfort.
2. Acupuncture
Postpartum ACUPUNCTURE IN VICTORIA, BC.
Acupuncture is an act of love.
It is a reminder to our bodies, minds and spirits that we are one and our nature is to be whole and harmonious. When we feel off-kilter and our body begins to ache, our emotions begin to overwhelm and our minds begin to run. The help of a few tiny needles, some quiet breaths, being listened to and gentle touch can slow our minds, calm our emotions and ease our bodies, helping us find harmony once again.
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Mother/Birther Roasting Treatments
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Insufficient Lactation
Postpartum urinary incontinence
Mastitis
Trauma integration/birth story support
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At our clinic we happily treat individuals of all varied genders and life stages. This includes (but is not limited to!) male, non-binary, non-gestating, early life, and late life folk.
Each therapist at Lagoon Prenatal has specified training in all things reproductive health, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond, and as such we have a special focus on perinatal acupuncture.
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Initial consultation
Your journey begins with an initial consultation in a private treatment room with a member of our acupuncture team. During this one-on-one discussion, you'll have the opportunity to share your health concerns, medical history, and any specific symptoms you're experiencing. This conversation helps us gain a comprehensive understanding of your unique needs.
Assessment
After the initial consultation, your therapist will perform a physical examination, which may involve checking your pulse, tongue, and feeling for any areas of tension or discomfort. These diagnostic tools allow the practitioner to identify imbalances in your physical body and its energy, or Qi.
Prepare for treatment
Based on the information gathered from your intake form, interview, and assessment, your registered acupuncturist will create a personalized treatment plan. You will lay, or sit comfortably on a treatment table. It's advisable to wear loose-fitting clothing to ensure easy access to acupuncture points, but you are welcome to snuggle in fresh sheets and blankets if needed.
During treatment
The heart of the acupuncture session involves the gentle insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on your body. The needles are extremely thin, and the sensation is typically minimal, often described as a slight pinch or tingling. Your practitioner will place the needles strategically to address your unique concerns. Your therapist may also use other strategies such as acupressure, cupping, moxibustion, and other traditional healing methods. Once the needles are in place, you'll have the opportunity to relax and unwind. The duration of your treatment will vary depending on your specific condition but typically lasts around 40 minutes.
Post treatment discussion
Following your acupuncture session, you'll have a post-treatment discussion with your acupuncturist. They may offer lifestyle and other recommendations to complement your treatment plan and promote overall well-being.
3. Physiotherapy
Support for pelvic health, postpartum care, pelvic pain conditions, urinary concerns and more.
The postpartum phase can bring about unique physical challenges, including discomfort in the pelvic girdle and lower back. By combining therapeutic exercises, manual therapies, and ergonomic recommendations we’ll work to alleviate pain, restore balance, and offer you strategies to enjoy motherhood with increased comfort and mobility.
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Pelvic health physiotherapy is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that addresses the pelvic floor muscles, and concerns such as incontinence, urinary urgency and/or frequency, retention, constipation, diastasis recti abdominis, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, as well as prenatal, postpartum, and perimenopausal pelvic health.
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Your sessions may include the following:
Learning about you and your health history
Internal assessment of pelvic anatomy, tissue, and muscles - this is only done if necessary with informed consent by you
EMG Biofeedback
Pelvic floor and core muscular retraining
Education
A home exercise program
During a subsequent appointment we discuss how you have been feeling since the previous visit, we will reassess, evaluate progress, review the treatment plan and make changes as appropriate.
4. Registered Massage Therapy
Registered Massage Therapy for the postpartum period
While the rapid change a persons body goes through during pregnancy is marked, the immediate change a postpartum person's body goes through is instant and ongoing. From the exhaustive effort and strains a labouring parent goes through during the birth of their baby, to the brand new ergonomic adjustment of nursing, caring for, and catering to a new human, your therapist will help keep you fluid and comfortable during these life transitions. No matter where you are in your postpartum journey, we will be happy to join your team.
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Labor and birth recovery (vaginal or caesarean section)
Postural changes related to nursing and/or baby carrying
Postpartum anxiety, depression and challenges
Mastitis and breast tenderness
Need for relaxation and time away as an individual
Ceasarean section scar work
If you have just given birth via caesarean section and would like extra abdominal comfort measures your therapist will arrange the body support system to allow you to feel maximally rested.
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Lagoon Prenatal defines postpartum as “the period after birth.” By that definition, we welcome you in at any point in your journey. Whether it be 10 days, or 10 years post, healing can begin at any time.
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As soon as you’re ready. This can look different for every family. But, on paper, there is no such thing as “too soon” if you are feeling well enough.
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The same as above! If you are eager to come in for treatment in the first 2 weeks we may position you face up for the duration of the treatment. And, if you are hoping to do direct work on your belly birth line, we will wait until 6 weeks (case dependant)
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Of course! When babies join us for treatment we usually place them in their seat near you head, on the ground. That way if they need your reassurance, you can easily reach down and interact with them.
If your little buddy is not happy with being in their seat, we can offer treatment while you lay in the “side lying” position, and they will join you on the table. Or, we turn you face up, and your babe can snuggle on your chest and be a part of the experience.
You are also welcome to finish up a nurse or bottle feed before you hit the road for a smooth ride home.
5. Reiki
HARNESSING THE POWER OF "UNIVERSAL LIFE FORCE ENERGY" TO RESTORE BALANCE AND IGNITE HEALING
Reiki is a revered Japanese stress-reduction technique, delves deep into the essence of our being, harnessing the power of "universal life force energy" to restore balance and ignite healing across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realms. This vital life force, ever-flowing within us, dictates our well-being, vitality, and resilience.
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Reiki offers holistic support for individuals navigating reproductive health challenges. It promotes overall well-being, balances energy flow, and enhances the body's natural healing abilities.
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In the postpartum period, Reiki aids in physical recovery, emotional healing, and balancing energy levels. It supports birthing parent in adjusting to their new roles and fosters a sense of calm and resilience.
Reiki can also be a supportive tool for reproductive health, pregnancy support, and for general wellness.
6. Somatic Sound
BATHING IN THE HEALING SOUND FREQUENCIES AND VIBRATIONS IS LIKE GETTING A MASSAGE FOR YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.
Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of various instruments and vibrational sound tools, as they bring about deep peace and relaxation in your whole being, raising your frequency, balancing the energy in your body, and promoting a sense of harmonious re-balancing.
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Sound baths are deep listening experiences crafted to support restful states, curiosity, presence, nourished imagination, and somatic rejuvenation through immersive soundscapes. The purpose of sound meditation is not entertainment, but entrainment to unique and unusual overtones that support our brain and nervous system functions. Sound meditation can occur in many ways—whether tuning into the symphony of nature, listening to a live sound bath, meditating on a piece of music, or intentionally creating sound ourselves.
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Aiding in physical recovery, emotional healing, and balancing energy levels in the postpartum period, supporting birthing parents in adjusting to their new roles and fostering calmness and resilience.
Sound baths can also be a supportive tool for reproductive health, pregnancy support, and general wellness.
7. Counselling
Clinical Counselling for individuals and couples
The postpartum period is a time of significant change, bringing both joy and challenges. Clinical counselling provides crucial support for new mothers as they navigate this transformative phase, addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of postpartum life.
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Emotional Support: Offers a safe space to express feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, or sadness, reducing the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.
Adjustment Assistance: Helps in adapting to the new role of motherhood, managing expectations, and coping with lifestyle changes.
Enhanced Bonding: Supports the development of a strong, healthy bond between mother and baby, fostering emotional connection and attachment.
Stress Management: Provides techniques to manage stress and exhaustion, promoting better self-care and overall well-being.
Relationship Support: Aids in navigating changes in relationships with partners, family, and friends, improving communication and support systems.
Self-Compassion: Encourages self-acceptance and compassion, helping new mothers to be kinder to themselves during this demanding time.
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We offer individual and couples counselling services for concerns and issues in the following areas:
Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Birth trauma
Fertility and conception
Parenting challenges
Identity and role confusion
Relationship strain
Grief & loss
Trauma
First responder trauma
Intergenerational trauma
Childhood trauma
Medical trauma
Intimate partner violence
Interpersonal Relationships
Communication challenges in relationships
Intimacy and emotional connections in couples
Family dynamics and conflict resolution
Navigating boundaries in social relationships
Understanding and meeting emotional needs
Building healthy relationship patterns
Addressing codependency or unhealthy attachments
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills
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While all of our practitioners are unique, they may utilize a combination of the following:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic, humanistic, mindful self-compassion, feminist, solution-focused, client-centred, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and dialectical informed (DBT informed) and cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), and inner child work -
Sessions are 50 minutes in order to maintain confidentiality between clients. For this reason, please respect the anonymity of the client before you and aim to not arrive early to your appointment.
When appropriate, usually when working with couples or EMDR, it may be recommended to book a 90 minute sessions in order to allow enough time to complete session goals based on the type of therapy being offered.
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Every plan is different. We always recommend that you contact your extended benefits provider directly and ask whether they would consider funding counselling with a specific provider. All our clinicians are certified with regulatory bodies of Canada.
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Your counsellor strictly adheres to the BCACC Code of Ethics and the CCPA Code of Ethics, which clearly outline codes of conduct, scope and safe practice for registered members. Before we start therapy, we will review information and any questions you have that allows you to provide me with written, informed consent. Consent is always, always an ongoing conversation and can be revoked at any time. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns before and throughout counselling and we will do my utmost to ensure we are meeting your expectations. In the event that I, or another Registered Clinical Counsellor, behaves in a way that is in opposition to our ethical code please submit your experience and concerns to the BCACC Inquiry Committee.
We will never share your personal information unless we have obtained your written, informed consent beforehand. Exceptions to this are situations where we am legally obligated to report including instances where we come to know that (a) a child is in danger of being harmed or has been harmed (b) you are at risk of harm to yourself or (c) you are at risk of harm to another person.
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The truth is that not all clients and counsellors are a good fit and it is absolutely okay but healthy and recommended that you talk to several therapists before choosing to work with someone. Forming a strong therapeutic relationship is a critical part of counselling thus we offer a free consultation to discuss your counselling needs. In the event you think another practitioner or resources would be a better fit, we would be more than pleased to offer alternative therapists or other community resources. Likewise, sometimes while working with a counsellor it becomes apparent that the next step in a client's journey is outside of their current therapeutic relationship. In that case, we would work together to create a continuing care plan that better meets your needs at that time. Our ultimate responsibility as a counsellor is to help you access support that is relevant to you, regardless of whether we are a good fit or if we've worked together for a long or a short time.
Learn more about our counselling team
Meet Codie
meet jeevan
8. Holistic Nutrition
Empowering your relationship with food
Working with a Holistic Nutritionist can help support managing symptoms or conditions through a food therapeutic based approach. Holistic nutrition looks at the body, as part of a whole picture that goes beyond what has been traditionally deemed as “healthy”. Considering food and how we eat, as part of a synergistic practice can transform how we perceive certain foods and how they make us feel. Therefore, we can shift how we digestible and assimilate foods, making it more empowering and enjoyable. Together we will address any food allergies or sensitivities, explore how your food habits relate to self-care practices, creativity, and overall well-being.
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Our initial consultation will last one hour. During this session, we will talk about your symptoms, lifestyle, stress levels, activity levels, dietary history, and any questions or worries you may have about starting. Together, we will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your wellness journey. You will receive written recommendations from me to take home and put into practice. We will begin with gradual and manageable steps to support you in making small changes that will enhance your ability to nourish yourself. Included will be recipes, meal prep tips, and guided hand outs. Follow ups are recommended 3 weeks after our appointment to review, reassess, and go deeper on our recommendations.
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Building success here through food + nourishment is an evolving relationship. We notice ebs and flows that change with routine disruptions, stress, sleep patterns, and energy levels that may fluctuate with responsibilities or life changes. Making changes to how and what we eat, is built successfully through approachable steps and takes time to integrate. My approach to building your treatment plan is to start with increments to help you stay consistent and feel these subtle changes in your body. To see these practices through I recommend three appointments for a proper nutritional assessment and to go deeper into these changes.
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Many times, a dietitian concentrates on the illness or disease, while a Holistic Nutritionist tailors their focus to each client, emphasizing the root cause of health issues and offering preventative strategies. Naturopathic doctors can assist by analyzing lab results, conducting assessments, and recommending therapeutic doses of supplements or injections. Holistic Nutrition delves into the energetic aspects of food and centers on diet therapy, how you eat, and bringing nourishment and self care as a whole picture.
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Appointments for Holistic Nutrition may be covered by your insurance, such as Manulife, Greenshield, iA Financial Group, or through a specific nutrition coverage option that you may need to choose as part of your plan. Additionally, you may have health spending benefits for designated nutritional coverage. Some plans only cover dieticians and naturopaths, please check with your provider for more information. Invoices can include registration numbers for coverage.
9. Harmonic Resonance
Harmonic Resonance Woven with Sound Bath
Enter the healing realm of sound bath therapy and acupuncture. Allow the gentle touch of acupuncture and the melodic vibrations of sound therapy to guide you back to your natural state of harmony.
The combined therapies improve the overall effects of each treatment, blended into one harmonious session. You will be taken on a deep journey of relaxation, activating your body’s innate healing capacity.
