Childbirth Preparation - pelvic steaming before childbirth

With the approach of childbirth, a woman may feel tension in her body, which is caused by the increased body weight and the expansion of the uterus, which oppresses the other organs of the body, and by the psyche, in other words, the fear of childbirth. Any method that brings relief in the last tense days of pregnancy is therefore welcome, all the more so if it is gentle and non-invasive, fragrant and pleasant, but also inexpensive and simple to practice.

How does a home herbal sauna for intimate parts sound to you?

Under the name of women's pelvic steaming I introduced it to Czech and Slovak women a few years ago, reviving a tradition that had almost died out in our conditions. However, to be accepted by society, it needed the support of modern medicine, i.e. health professionals. Which practically meant that my husband and I had to invent a modern concept for her and introduce it to gynaecologists and midwives. To explain to them the benefits and possibilities of its use, which was not an easy task. We have been working hard at Steamy since 2017 to ensure that the vaginal steaming does not fall under the shadow of an esoteric (yoni) cult that could usurp this functional method of promoting women's health for a limited category of women. Our aim is not to divide women, but to enable all women to practice female herbal steaming at life stages where it could be of great benefit to them, based on relevant information, case studies and collaboration with professionals. One such life stage is pregnancy.

I recommend starting with pelvic steaming as a form of antenatal preparation from the 38th week of pregnancy at the earliest.

In a healthy standard pregnancy, there is no reason to practice steaming earlier for two reasons that are directly related. The first is the psychological aspect of accepting childbirth as an imminent inevitable event that is associated with the maturation of the baby in the womb. Up to 38.wks, the woman's motivation is to keep the baby in her tummy, but from this point on she faces the great task of symbolically unlocking the birth canals and mentally preparing herself for birth, which is always an encounter with life and death in the same moment. That is why we look forward to it and why we do not look forward to it, and why we try to do everything possible to make it as smooth as possible. But the bottom line is to tune in, release tension and listen to your body. By warming up the birth canal regularly, we can become aware and conscious of the way our baby will come into the world. During the warming, which is intensely directed at the birth canal, we show the baby the way out, while visualizing how it passes from the warmth of the womb through the warm birth canal into the warm arms of its mother. Pelvic steaming acts on the birth canal, it softens, becomes pliable and as a result labour can also start.

In what cases can I steam before the 38th week of pregnancy?

We are often asked if you could start steaming a few weeks earlier, usually because gynaecologists recommend inducing labour for various medical reasons. In these cases, it is possible to steam after consultation with your doctor. Women who are expecting twins or those who are preparing for a VBAC, i.e. a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section, can also steam earlier, specifically from 36 weeks.

How often can I practice steaming?

From the 38th week of pregnancy onwards, it is already safe and it is up to you whether you want to indulge in it as a nightly wellness treatment after which you sleep well or combine it with a perineal massage or lovemaking, which is the most natural way to prepare the birth canal. Practice it at least 2-3 times a week. From week 39 onwards, I recommend doing it daily and even twice a day from week 40 onwards. Keep in mind that the date of delivery is only indicative and that only a small percentage of women give birth on it. Many more babies are born after the due date. In this context, it is also good to remember that you only carry from 42 weeks onwards.

Is there any point in steaming if I'm having a C-section?

Women's herbal isteaming is one of the methods used by women who are actively preparing for childbirth. And it does not matter whether they are preparing for a vaginal birth or a cesarean birth. Also, in the case of a planned caesarean section, a pelvic steaming is beneficial because it brings relief from the painful ligaments that hold the uterus and helps the expectant mother to concentrate on her body, which, although not vaginally but through the belly, will bring the baby into the world, and is therefore worth paying attention to. Regular steaming before birth also leads to softening of the soft birth canal, through which even in the case of a caesarean section, the purgatives pass and the cervix, which is cared for before birth, is better prepared for postnatal cleaning of the uterus.

What if I tested positive for strep?

GBS positivity is not a contraindication to performing a vaporizer. In case of a positive smear, we recommend to add one elderflower to each dose of the Childbirth Preparation mixture.

Can I steam in case of vulvovaginal varices and hemorrhoids?

A woman's herbal steaming is meant to be seen as a pleasurable procedure that relaxes you on multiple levels. Therefore, if you suffer from varicose veins or hemorrhoids during pregnancy, which are caused by increased pressure on the pelvic floor, steaming requires a different procedure than the traditional one. Firstly, a gentler, i.e. cooler steam, a kneeling position and, after ten minutes of exposure, rinsing the intimate parts with lukewarm water to make the dilated blood vessels constrict. Be aware of your sensation, you must not feel discomfort or pain. If you are comfortable with this procedure, you can repeat it until you give birth. If you are uncomfortable with the infusion, you can prepare a sitz bath from the herbal mixture Childbirth Preparation. Both types of vascular disease are temporary and usually disappear a few weeks after delivery.

Can I steam with a yeast infection?

The herbs in the mixture Childbirth Preparation also help to keep the vaginal microflora in a balanced state and resist the attack of unwanted bacteria and yeast, which often plague women in pregnancy. If you suffer from a yeast infection before giving birth, steam only for 10 minutes with a gentler steam and rinse the vulva with lukewarm water after steaming to wash away the bacteria. Ideally, leave the private parts without underwear in a long skirt to air out, limit sugars, white flour and fried foods. Incorporate fermented foods, apple cider vinegar (you can also pour this into a decoction - about 1dcl into 2l) and take probiotics and vitamin C.

What herbal blend is best for preparing for childbirth?

The water vapour touches the vulva at a pleasant temperature, opening the pores and thanks to the permeability of the tissues, the active substances from the herbs penetrate into the bloodstream. For this reason, only herbal mixtures blended for the needs of the woman with the baby in mind should be used to prepare for childbirth. Our preparation blend called Childbirth Preparation is specifically designed to prepare the soft birth canals, which are the cervix, pelvic floor muscles, vagina and external genitalia. This mixture has been tested by several thousand women for its effects and safety, which is why it is also widely recommended by doctors in gynecological clinics and maternity hospitals.

I have a tip for you: if you don't manage to finish using it before the birth because of premature birth, you can use it after the birth to support the cleaning and regeneration of the uterus and the soft birth canals together with the Postpartum Recovery mixture.

And what herbs is it blended from? Raspberry, motherwort, lavender and calendula.

Raspberry is an herb that is rightly said to harmonize the hormonal system of a woman and strengthen immunity. It is one of the few herbs that can be drunk for a long time without a break and, thanks to its taste, it can help you maintain your drinking regime during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Not only does it help the birth canal in preparation for delivery, but it does not bother the baby in the tummy or the newborn while breastfeeding. After birth, it eases bleeding, speeds up the wrapping of the uterus and helps clear the birth canal more quickly.

Motherwort is a beautiful plant that is said to refresh the pregnant soul and facilitate childbirth.

The scent of lavender is one of the most popular birthing scents. Lavender calms and eases anxiety, and that is exactly what we need during pregnancy and childbirth. At the same time, it has a disinfectant effect.

Calendula counteracts yeast infections, which unfortunately, as I mentioned above, often plague pregnant women. Due to the fact that yeast disrupts the tissue, if they overgrow, more injuries can occur during childbirth, so it is advisable to prevent them.

Tip: Pelvic steaming is also injury prevention before perineal massage and aniball exercises.

If a woman is using aniball to prepare for her birth, it is recommended that she warm up the herbal steaming before practicing with it to prevent minor injuries or abrasions that may occur when practicing with aniball. You should also steam the perineum before massaging it, as the perineum is more elastic after steaming and the massage is more pleasant.

If you did not find all the answers to your questions in this article, please contact me monika@steamy.cz or any of the certified facilitators on our map. When you visit a birthing center, ask if they know how to use the pelvic steaming so that you can be sure you will be able to indulge in it with the Scented Childbirth blend.

In conclusion, I would like to wish you a wonderful end of pregnancy in a relaxed family atmosphere with bonding with your baby and involving your partner in all the housework and preparations for the birth. Please keep in mind that a woman's herbal steaming will not guarantee you a smooth, injury-free birth, but it can certainly kindly guide you through the last days of pregnancy and greatly aid your wellbeing, which is essential for a smooth and natural birth.

And finally, one more tip. If you are planning to steam during and after the birth to promote healing and to cleanse the uterus, you can buy all the herbs with Birth pack at a discounted price in our birth package, which also includes affirmation cards by the most famous Czech midwife Anička Kohutová.

With love

Mgr. Monika Valová  

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