steaming in the postpartum time
After birth, we have this opportune window of time to care for ourself (or to be cared for) like never before. It is an open and vulnerable moment in every way. Our body that was full and ripe with warm life now holds an empty womb that is not yet back to her normal size, is contracting and cleansing out all birth matter, and is considered “cold and empty.” In this cold and empty state, we’re said to be more susceptible to infections and imbalance if we don’t bring back warmth and help our body back together by closing the openness. Our instinctual alertness turns on in new ways (this is true with each baby) as we begin to feel this need to hold our newborn close and protect them. We have this incredible ability to feel and drink in all the energies around us, which can be either so supportive to us, or can conversely be filling us with overwhelm if ‘we’re not surrounded by the right people. Our spirit too is somewhere between the heavens that birth called us to and settling back into physical reality. We are truly neither here, nor there.
When we look across all places and times, there is this beautiful common thread that weaves together and connects all freshly born mothers. Like a universal language, without an actual language barrier, utilizing the basic gifts of the elements water, earth (the steam pot, the herbs), fire (the heat source), wood (the steam chair, the fire) and the wild wonder of air. From European lands, throughout Mexico, the Pacific islands, Asia, Russia, and everywhere in between, vaginal steaming is most commonly practiced to support the new mothers.
Where there are still traditional midwives in the world, vaginal steaming post birth is standard care for helping the mother’s body come back to her pre-pregnant state and function. And while in these places women tend to be fully aware of, prepared for, and supported in this practice, I recognize that many of us here in my little corner of the world are only now being reintroduced to this way of caring for our postpartum bodies.
So beautiful momma or momma-to-be, whether you are many months or even many years postbirth, or maybe anticipating your upcoming birth, I want to share with you how steam therapy will support you in this very tender and transformational part of your life.
“When it comes to steaming postpartum, we don’t make any excuses. While modern culture tries to normalize incontinence or painful sex, or looseness, heaviness, etc — we do not. We bring a woman’s body back to her health and better.” — Keli Garza
The truth of it is, women tend to go into their postpartum time pretty blind. Not really knowing what to expect, what is normal, or how to bring attention to the things that don’t feel right. So my hope in this article today is to shed a little light on what you might expect if this is new to you, or maybe how to look back at your postpartum experience and identify the things that may not have been cared for properly and how this may be impacting your current health.
In simplest form, our postpartum uterine cleanse ought to be cared for just as we ought to care for our menstrual bleeding. With rest, warmth, nourishing foods that assist easy digestion and circulation support, plenty of massage, heat inducing therapies, teas, avoiding cold (food, drink, padsicles, etc) and using products that assist with the flow of our uterus as she releases what is no longer needed (ex: diapers, pads, refraining from any plugging products, etc).
We want a nice medium flow of fresh, beautiful smelling, clot-free blood, that lasts for roughly a month, and then doesn’t occur again until our menstrual cycle returns right around our baby’s first birthday.
There are sooo many variations oustide of this description that women experience at this time. All of which can be given attention to with the simple practice of steaming.
benefits of steaming in the postpartum time
Steaming supports the flow of oxytocin by way of relaxation as well as stimulating the cervix. There was this really interesting study done on this, I’ll link it below for my gals who like to dig into such things. All to say, oxytocin supports our ability to letdown milk. Ease of milk letdown and supporting a balanced milk supply means much more beautiful latching and easeful feeding our newborn baby, which is by far the #1 thing I find mommas needing support with in the first week postpartum. It’s pretty common to hear mommas say that while sitting on their steam chair, they feel their milk increase and begin to letdown. Not to mention that oxytocin is a big piece of bonding and connection with our newborn, as well as filling us full of that good love feeling that settles our nervous system into safety, where we may rest and be present where we are instead of trapped in mental overload, or perhaps the traumas of our birth experience if there were any.
Because steam assists the clearing of lochia (all fluids after baby and placenta are born) by loosening and liquifying it, women experience less cramping, infections, and also prepare their womb for a pain free menstrual cycle return when that time comes in the future. Our uterus has an incredible way of clearing out what is not needed, but contractions can be painful, even debilitating (mommas of many, you know what I’m sayin), so when we can assist the process and prevent old residue build up, all the better. This is big for preventing the lingering bleeding that happens for some mommas as well. Bleeding beyond the 6 week window can indicate a few things, but may also cause alarm with their care providers, raising preventable stress at an already innately stressful time.
Steam tonifies and lifts our tissues. In birth, we open. In postpartum, we close. Closing the vaginal opening and canal is essential for holding our uterus and cervix in their proper place and position. In doing this, we prevent prolapse not only of our uterus, but our bladder and rectum as well. Consider the anatomy of our pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, fascial connections, and organs, coupled with the weight of carrying a pregnancy, and it’s easy to see how gentle steam can bring much needed love to these parts of our self. While bladder incontinence may be joked about after bearing children, it’s not normal or necessary.
Circulation and supplying our tissues with well nourished blood is key for healing, especially when tears are present. So while cold frozen pads might feel nice, this actually can hinder the healing process by slowing the blood flow. Steam supports circulation in the tissues and can help disperse and reduce swelling, while cleansing any tears or stitches in the gentlest way possible, which again prevents things like infections and hardened scar tissue from tears or episiotomies.
Women who steam tend to have ease with bowel movements, which is huuuuge postbirth. Constipation is no joke and no fun. Same for hemorrhoids that can be lingering from pregnancy or may surface after birth. Steaming tones, tightens, lifts.
The swelling that is common in hands and feet postbirth can be addressed with steaming due to increased circulation helping disperse water retention (that can then eventually turn into fat, aka “water weight” if left unaddressed)
For women who have a history of pathologies like fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, or others, steaming is especially exceptional. For roughly a month and a half, the cervix is open, allowing for steam to easily rise into the womb and assist the clearing of all that does not belong. This is a prime example of how women can find themselves in better health when caring for their body properly in the postpartum time.
One of my favorite things about steaming postpartum, is creating space for yourself. While baby is fully dependent on us, it is so important for us to do things daily that fill up our love cup. We cannot endlessly give without incorporating things that genuinely recharge us. Making time to sit on your steam chair, breathe in the beauty of the herbs, massage out your neck, arms, hands, and legs, revel in and integrate what you’ve just experienced, and create a quiet space to be away from visitors and any noise is exactly one of those things. This is also a great time to give gratitude to your body for all the work she’s done.
In a culture where women are “watched’ or “monitored” for postpartum depression, where baby blues are commonplace, women who steam tend to be women who create structures that allows for them to be supported. We are not designed to be alone in these early weeks in motherhood, and how we take care of ourselves tends to be a reflection of the type of people we surround ourselves with — and vice versa. Do we honor our needs, do we surround ourselves with people who respect and love us for who we are? When we’re in the thick of it is not the time to be establishing this network, but I want to add this here simply because I find that most women I work with and get to witness lean heavier on the giving than they do on receiving. Postpartum depression is a tangible gauge in our world for where women are at in their ability to receive the care and support they need and what amount of care and support is available to them.
Lastly and arguably most importantly, steam has this way of helping us release the parts of our birth story that we may wish we could have written out differently. There’s so much that could be said about this, whether it be something we wish we would have done differently, aspects that weren’t in our control, something someone did or said, any and all things that may feel lodged in our hearts about the experience, in ways beyond words, theres something about sitting on a steam box that helps us let it go. I argue this as most important because how we are welcomed into motherhood plays a big big role in how we go on to mother this new little person we hold in our care. Its the ripple that turns into waves that raise the tide.
the fourth trimester study
Kimberly Ann Johnson and Keli Garza did a study of postpartum women with the help of Raquel, a traditional midwife, to determine the impacts of steaming postnatally. The trial consisted of a group of women who steamed and a group of women who did not steam in their early postpartum time. The steam group steamed on days 4-8 post birth. The link to the full study is below, but here are some notes:
The women who steamed experienced a complete recovery of their vulva by day 8, externally looking as though they hadn’t given birth at all, whereas the non-steam group showed signs of stretching, gapping and distress.
The steam group expelled lochia faster, while the non-steam group still had discharge and lochia releasing at 6 weeks postpartum.
There were less contractions for the women who steamed.
In the postpartum time, it’s normal to have a higher blood pressure for a bit, but what was noticed was the steam group was able to come back down to a healthy blood pressure and pulse by day 8 postpartum. The women who did not steam tended to have a rise in blood pressure before finally coming down closer to normal by 6 weeks. Blood pressure is a major factor in situations such as eclampsia, which can be a cause of postpartum mortality.
By day 8, the women who steamed had uteruses that were significantly smaller than the women who did not steam and reported no signs of discomfort even for those with stitches.
The steam group saw a faster rate of decreased weight and size.
The steam group had more bowel regularity and relief with hemorrhoids while they steamed days 4-8, whereas the non-steam group had hemorrhoids still at 6 weeks.
This was just one small study, and there’s so much more research to do, but the findings are pretty incredible. I liked several more studies below too if you feel inclined to explore them.
Steam therapy is a time tested, ancient practice that is simple, powerful, and supportive in the most respectful, noninvasive way. When we steam, we take up a respect for our body and our womb in ways that tend not only to our current needs, but support the longevity of our health throughout the span of our life. It is one piece that creates opportunity for awakening and healing throughout the bigger picture.
So if this is new to you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions. I welcome any curiosities you may have. If this is already part of your self care practice, I’d love to hear any stories you’re eager to share or if this is something that has been passed down to you from your lineage. And if you feel called, feel free to set this information in front of the women in your life who are ready for it. Well supported and honored mothers create the shift that brings healing to all, now and for generations to come.
May this find you with love + warmth,
Gab
links
The Fourth Trimester Study — www.fourthtrimestervaginalsteamstudy.com
Ayurvedic Dhupan Postpartum Clinical Trial — http://www.iamj.in/posts/2017/images/upload/3260_3265.pdf
Study of Postnatal Steaming in Indonesia — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17293070/