Most of us are used to the idea of a lovely supportive sitz bath for postpartum healing. We know it, and we love it. Steaming works differently as the mucous membranes of the genitals absorb the herbs’ healing properties into the bloodstream. It is similar to how eucalyptus steam is absorbed through the nasal membranes to aid with a head cold.
The benefits of vaginal steaming in postpartum include warming the body, healing the placental site (wound), aiding in clearing out residual birth products and lochia, cleaning the suture site without friction and helping organs return to their optimal position.
Unfortunately, vaginal steaming appears to be blanketly disregarded by the medical community, with many doctors stating there is no evidence to back up the claims of steaming’s healing benefits. Some doctors have even gone as far as to claim it to be a dangerous practice. But the fact is that just as there have been no clinical studies undertaken to prove it’s efficacy, there have also been no studies that have demonstrated the practice to be unsafe.
Kelli Garza of Steamy Chick and Kimberly Ann Johnson, author of The Fourth Trimester conducted a small independent study on 11 postpartum volunteers who all had vaginal births. A midwife performed herbal steams for them from days 4-8 for 15 minutes. The control group received no steaming. While the study was very small, I feel the results were pretty remarkable and just go to prove that more research is needed before we can disregard the practice:
- The steam group’s blood pressure dropped more quickly into a healthy range.
- The fundus or uterus of the steam group went back to normal size more quickly.
- After six weeks, waist size and weight were both lower in the steam group.
- The steam groups’ swelling and labia pain improved more quickly and were healed by day 8 of the experiment.
- Even with stitches, the steam group experienced no discomfort of their vaginal tears after day 8 of steaming.
- Lochia discharge and the bleeding stopped more quickly with the steam group.
- Hemorrhoids and constipation were also improved for those who steamed.
As a Vaginal Steaming Practitioner, I see results like this with every client. If you would like more information or you would like to give Yoni Steaming a go, feel free to reach out to me at Grace and Ivy Birth and Wellness for more info. I can talk you through how to set up a stem for yourself and even suggest some herbal blends that may support your healing.
Visit the Grace and Ivy website to find out more and join their supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.
