How to V. Steam During Postpartum
WHO CAN STEAM:
ALL MOMMAS CAN STEAM AFTER BIRTH ONCE CLEARED BY THEIR MIDWIFE AND DOCTOR. EVEN MOMMAS THAT HAD A C-SECTION CAN STILL STEAM AND BENEFIT. IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED TEARS, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.
WHAT IS STEAMING:
VAGINAL STEAMING IS A POWERFUL SELF CARE PRACTICED THROUGH MANY GENERATIONS AND CULTURES. V. STEAMING IS A HOLISTIC SELF-CARE PRACTICES IN WHICH A WOMAN ALLOWS THE WARMTH OF HERBAL STEAM TO PERMEATE THE EXTERIOR OF THE VAGINA GENTLY.
THIS IS THE ART OF BREWING HERBS IN A SIMPLE POT, PLACING THE POT UNDER AN OPEN SEAT OR ON THE FLOOR. YOU WILL HOVER OVER THE POT OR SIT ON THE OPEN SEAT. THIS STEAMING WILL ENTER YOUR BODY AND PENETRATES TO YOUR UTERUS AND PELVIS. IT CAN BE SUCH A CLEANSING AND SIMPLE POST BIRTH ELEMENT.
HOW TO STEAM:
BOIL A LARGE POT OF ABOUT 8 CUPS OF WATER TO 2 CUPS OF HERBS. ONCE BOILING, TURN OFF FIRE AND PLACE A LID ON TOP.
REMOVE YOUR CLOTHING FROM THE WASTE DOWN.
ENSURE YOUR CONTAINER IS ON AN EVEN SURFACE OVER A TOWEL OR SOMETHING ABSORBENT. SIT OVER YOUR STEAM OR , IF KNEELING, KNEEL ON THE GROUND WITH BOTH KNEES ABOUT A FEW NCHES IN FRONT OF YOUR CONTAINER WITH YOUR CONTAINER BETWEEN THE LOWER PORTION OF YOUR LEGS. PLACE A TOWEL ROLLED UP AROUND THE LIP OF THE POT FOR EXTRA PROTECTION. LOWER YOUR BOTTOM TOWARDS YOUR HEELS UNTIL YOUR VAGINA IS APPROXIMATELY A FEW INCHES ABOVE YOUR CONTAINER. YOU CAN STRETCH YOUR ARMS OUT AS YOU PLACE YOUR FOREHEAD ON THE FLOOR OR USE YOUR ARMS TO CUSHION YOUR HEAD (OR USE A PILLOW) IF THAT IS MORE COMFORTABLE.
DRAPE YOUR COTTON TOWEL OR QUILT AROUND YOU AND THE CONTAINER TO KEEP THE STEAM IN.
SIT OR KNEEL AS LONG AS IT IS COMFORTABLE (USUALLY 10 MINUTES).
READ A BOOK TO RELAX YOUR MIND AND HEART.
MY FAVORITE HERBS:
💓 CHAMOMILE: ALLEVIATES POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, IMPROVES SLEEP QUALITY, ANTI- INFLAMMATORY, SKIN RECOVERY
💓 LAVENDER: LOWERS ANXIETY, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, YEAST SUPPORT, REDUCES PERINEAL DISCOMFORT, PAIN SUPPORT
💓 ROSE BUDS: VITAMIN C, SKIN SUPPORT, MOOD LIFTER, DIGESTION SUPPORT
💓 SHEPHERD’S PURSE: POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE, BLEEDING RECOVERY, SUPPORTS CIRCULATION
💓 PLANTAIN LEAF: SKIN HEALER
MY RECIPE:
8 CUPS OF SPRING WATER
1/4 CUP DRIED ORGANIC LAVENDER
1/4 CUP DRIED ORGANIC CHAMOMILE
1/4 CUP DRIED ORGANIC ROSE BUDS
1/4 CUP DRIED ORGANIC PLANTAIN LEAF + SHEPHERD’S PURSE
Bring water to boil in a large pot on the stovetop. turn off stove, pour in herbs, keep lid on and safely place pot on the floor. I like to use a few towels on the floor to protect them. Place pot on the floor, place a towel around the lid of the pot for safety. Gently hover over the pot and lean forward onto a pillow. Use a large cotton towel as a tent over your back. Steam for 10-15 minutes or however long it feels good.
Always ask your midwife before vaginal steaming. tHIS GUIDE IS MEANT TO BE EDUCATIONAL AND NOT medical advice.
