Yoni steaming is a long-standing tradition in many cultures and I only wish that I had
discovered it sooner as a form of self-care. As women we do so much for others and
experience so much trauma to our bodies. The uterus goes through an extreme trauma
during the process of a vaginal birth even if you have the perfect at home orgasmic
water birth (yes that’s a thing). While it is not recommended to use vaginal steaming
more than twice a month a month an exception is the fourth trimester when the uterus
can use a third steam to completely expel every bit of stagnation that may be present. It
flushes out with the next menstrual cycle, and you will immediately notice some of the
benefits that I discussed on my website.
One benefit that you will absolutely love about fourth trimester steaming is how it helps
to reduce bloating and shrink your uterus back down to your pre-pregnancy shape much
faster. The steam is not to cleanse your vagina or anything even close to that. This is an
action aimed at steam moving through the cervix and into the internal organs to soften
tissues (like stagnant blood) or tighten structures (such as uterine ligaments strained
during pregnancy). This can be done in my office using organic herbs imported from
Pakistan and it can also be done in the privacy of your own home with a little bit of
planning. One imperative is not to expose yourself to toxic chemicals during your steam.
I had my first yoni steam at a seemingly legitimate shop in Sacramento. While I enjoyed
the immediate benefits of the experience, I was nonplussed by the plastic bowl I was
sent home with. Plastic is not an acceptable container for your herbs and you can find
alternatives at any price range. You don’t have to sit to steam you can get creative and
find a comfortable position of your choosing and a container that is toxin free. It makes
sense to steam at home sometimes and make it a fun social thing during special
occasions.
The birth of a child while a trauma to your body is an opportunity to celebrate your full
womanhood and your completion of your physical pursuit. You ran the marathon and
now you can give your body the gift of a vaginal steam, massage and sauna package.
All of my doula packages include this visit postpartum and as a single package cost
$150 per person (minimum two people). This package includes spa slippers, robe, light
snack and advice on how to continue your proactive health routine at home.
It is important for women to be proactive about self-care and to have access to the
necessary information regarding their health, particularly concerning procedures like
hysterectomies. I believe my knowledgeable and health-conscious mother who had six
children, five of them at home would have greatly benefited from this. She was informed
that a full hysterectomy was her only option and without it, she would die. Regrettably,
she passed away within two years of the procedure. This illustrates that making
decisions with confidence generally yields better outcomes than feeling powerless and
passive in the situation.
Natural birth can be empowering and transformative for women. Similarly, we can
change our response to the injustices of Western Medicine that exploits women. The
same empowerment applies to how we experience menstruation and menopause.
Celebrate every stage of womanhood and trust your instincts.
Facing reality for me means accepting that many of my experiences in the birthing and
Arvigo therapy community demonstrate that there are people upon whom I can rely.
