When I mapped out the topics I wanted to cover in my blog writing for 2020 I never could have imagined I would be sitting in the middle of a pandemic writing about postpartum support.

There have been so many beautiful voices adding to the conversation about labor, delivery and postpartum care during this time. I would encourage you to check some of these out as you consider your birth plan during a time that is offering unique challenges.

That said, my goal for this blog is to share the most universal use of vaginal steaming or pelvic steaming found on every continent around the world. The timing of this couldn’t be more fitting as we search for ways of caring for our birthing bodies that protect us from COVID-19.

History of Steaming

The history of steaming is widespread and found in nearly every culture around the world and touches every continent.

Before the rise of Western gynecological care, it wasn’t uncommon for mothers and grandmothers to prepare vaginal steams for daughters and granddaughters as a way to cleanse the body, strengthen it and help aid the recovery process after birth.

Today, the practice has less of a presence, even in cultures that historically practiced, it but is slowly making its way back into the self care of new mothers everywhere.

For more information about the historical accounts of steaming, Steamy Chick has done an incredible job documenting where vaginal steaming is found.

Revival of Ancient Tradition

While the use of steaming can be multifaceted, the universal use globally is for postpartum recovery.

Steaming after birth has incredible health benefits for women. These benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Stimulating circulation to aid pelvic floor healing and recovery

• Supporting the body to rid itself of birth matter left behind after delivery

• Prevent and even addressing infection

• Speed healing for tearing or stitches

• Helping the organs return to their normal position to resume healthy function

A pilot study was conducted recently to investigate this use of steaming. Further details are available in The Fourth Trimester Study, but the pilot study findings were very encouraging. Women have known for centuries this works so we are looking forward to more studies asking the right questions and illustrating what we as women have always known – this works.

Why Now?

During an era where postpartum care is drastically undervalued and under supported, vaginal steaming provides a cost effective way to support your recovery.

Any of us who work in the postpartum field know that insurance doesn’t cover enough, women don’t know enough about what they need and what is available to them and more needs to be done to care for our new mothers.

Other cultures have a 30-40 day laying in period where mom receives as much care as baby while her body recovers from the biggest process it has (and likely will ever do) in its life – to create life itself.

In the West, we have a skewed sense of priorities for new mothers. Now, the focus of this piece is not to address all the things that are seriously flawed with our current parental leave system, however, I raise this issue because it is part of why women aren’t getting the care they need after birth.

The loss of income sends mothers rushing back to jobs earlier than puppies are separated from their mothers! Unless you know the incredible blessing that is a postpartum doula, you often are trying to juggle loads of baby laundry (so much for a little person!) and feed yourself whatever will make it to your mouth with one hand.

Now, take that already slanted equation and throw a pandemic into the mix. COVID-19 has forced many expectant mothers to rethink their birthing plans as well as postpartum plans. Steaming offers you a means to support your healing from the quiet sanctuary of your home.

When Do I Steam?

Steaming can begin as part of the labor preparation process under the guidance of a certified peristeam hydrotherapist.

Regardless of whether you start steaming before your baby is born or after, your steaming practice can begin as early as 4 days postpartum with a vaginal birth and 6 weeks after a cesarean section.

I have been fortunate to work with many moms and they are always amazed how quickly their bodies start feeling stronger and the discharge stops after they start steaming.

The sooner your energy and strength return the more you have to offer your baby.

To learn more about how to steam as part of your postpartum recovery, reach out to Adrienne at adrienne@moonessence.life.

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