FAQ's -What is a Yoni Steam?

The practice of Yoni steaming dates back thousands of years  and can be traced to almost every indigenous culture on Earth. From Africa, Malaysia, Korean, Scandinavian to Mayan. (There are actually cave drawings of it!) These cultures used steaming to tend to women in the postpartum and as a gentle method of maintaining female reproductive health. Yoni steaming in this modern world is a powerful pre or post period hygienic and cleansing practice. Yoni steaming is also known as Vaginal steaming, v-steams, chai-yok, bajos, and womb therapy. 

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How do Yoni Steams work?

Yoni steaming is a practice where a woman allows the warmth of herbal steam to permeate the exterior of her vagina and up into her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries (womb).  The warm herbal steam directly enters the womb, softens the tissues, relaxes the belly and the pelvic floor, and increases blood and lymph flow. Yoni steams naturally clean, rebalance, and lubricate the vagina by releasing old, built up blood and/or discharge and energy (stagnation) from the uterine lining. The vaginal canal contains an abundant supply of blood vessels and mucus membranes and it is believed that herbal steam can be easily absorbed through the walls of the vagina. Because of this, doctors often prescribe vaginal suppositories to fight infections or balance hormones.  

How is Vaginal Steaming Done?

During your Yoni steam, you are in an enclosed room, completely covered and then wrapped in the traditional way with a sheet or blanket from the neck down. You will sit on one of our custom Yoni steam saunas with a cushion that has an opening for the steam to easily come through. Each sauna and seat is sanitized before and after use. 

What are the physical benefits of Vaginal Steaming?

A consistent Yoni steam practice can lead to an easy and pain-free period, increased fertility, increased vaginal lubrication, and reducing other uterine abnormalities. Yoni steaming is a wellness ritual that allows women to honor, reconnect, and take ownership of their reproductive system in a unique way.  Yoni Steams can be helpful for the following conditions:

• reduce pain and bloating from menstruation 

• regulate menstruation cycles

• reduce uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis 

• repairs vaginal tears, c-section scars, and episiotomies 

• reproductive adhesion/scar tissue 

• treats hemorrhoids 

• dark purple/brown blood at the onset or end of menses

• enhance your sex life and boost fertility, especially when applied with maya abdominal massage principles

• ease menopause symptoms of dryness or pain during intercourse

• eliminates cramping

• clears up bacteria or yeast infections

• draining painful cysts

• expelling fibroids

• resolving unexplained infertility

• postpartum recovery (i.e. getting the body back to pre-pregnancy state, weight loss, lochia elimination, correcting prolapse/hemorrhoids, etc)

• miscarriage recovery

• reduces heavy menstruation

• increases scanty menstruation

• returns missing periods

• regularizes long or short cycles to 28-30 days

• improves vaginal prolapse and tightens canal

• moisturizes vaginal dryness

• alleviates painful sex

• enhances libido

• resolves PCOS

• odor elimination

• general hygiene and well-being

 

What are the spiritual/energetic benefits of steaming?

In addition to the physical benefits of cleansing and release during the steam, many women may release deeply held feelings or emotions resulting in the start their own healing process from psychological trauma and repressed emotions. Steaming allows women to purify their core and release energy and emotions that no longer serve their womb spaces in a positive way.  It allows women to forgive themselves and others for unpleasant incidents that have occurred over their lifetimes. It allows women to facilitate their own healing process from the inside out. 

When is Yoni Steaming not safe?

• Pregnancy

• Menstruating

• Fresh RED spotting

• Extremely hot weather

• Burning Itch

• After Insemination (or IUI/IVF transfer) when Trying to conceive

• When Prone to Continual Heavy or Spontaneous Bleeding between Periods 

• Genital piercings must be removed because the heat will cause the piercing to burn you 

 

What happens if I fill out my intake form and I have a contraindication and can’t steam on the day of my appointment?

If this happens, no worries. We can reschedule your session for a time that you are safe to steam. 

 

Where is this Yoni Spa Located?

In the comfort of your home or a scheduled private appointment at my home

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Steaming and Birth Control

Is it safe for me to steam if I have had a uterine/endometrial ablation?

Endometrial/Uterine Ablation is a procedure where the walls of the uterus are scarred over by being burnt. This is usually done to help women who have intense heavy bleeding on their period. Steaming may cause a reversal of the procedure or intervention so it is always up to the woman whether she decides to steam or not.

Is it safe to steam if I have had tubal cauterization?

This is the burning of the fallopian tubes to stop a follicle from being released from the ovary. Steaming may cause a reversal of the procedure or intervention so it is always up to the woman whether she decides to steam or not.

Is it safe for me to steam if I use Essure birth control?

Essure is a coil insert placed in the fallopian tubes which forms a barrier around it with scar tissue. This then blocks the sperm from getting to the egg. Although there aren't any known cases, it seems that vaginal steaming could potentially dislodge the essure insert or clear out the barrier around the Essure insert. It is always up to the woman whether she decides to steam or not.

Is it safe for me to steam if I have a IUD/Intrauterine Device?

Yes. You will steam for a shorter period of time for your health and safety. 

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Yoni Steaming For Girls

Is Yoni Steaming safe for young girls?

Yes. Yoni steaming is safe and helps to normalize the Sacred Ritual while setting girls up for a healthy monthly uterine cleanse right from the start. That way they won't have old residue in their uterus which can cause cramping, clotting and brown blood that most women deal with as though is is normal.

How old do you have to be to steam?

There is no hard and fast age limit for steaming. An assessment would have to be done to ensure safety - steam duration and herb type. I have known of little toddlers who see their mom steaming regularly and want to “be like mom” so they sit on a sauna for a few minutes as more of an experience. Some girls have a difficult time before even having their first period and steaming eases the symptoms and transition into this next phase of life. Their rite of passage into womanhood.

Why would a young girl want or need to steam?

Steaming helps with many issues and you don't have to have your period to start this practice. Young girls benefit from steaming if they have hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, constipation, and cramping - whether they have started their period or not. They could also be experiencing painful symptoms related to the monthly uterine cleanse (period) in which case the steam will bring circulation to the yoni in order to allow the uterus to cleanse properly with less contractions/cramping.

Do these services help to heal trauma for girls?

Yes. In this modern world there is an imbalance in the masculine and feminine energy. We see this in many aspects of life on Earth from how our planet is being depleted, to violence, to the number of girls and women who have been or are sexually abused. (Sexual abuse is the act of forcing undesired sexual behavior from a person.) While we work to bring the balance back to our planet Yoni steaming offers girls and women the opportunity to reconnect the body with the wisdom of subtle plant medicine to release and heal, while clearing the womb and sexual organs.

The simple act of allowing the warmth of herbal steam to relax your yoni is a powerful act of healing. When you set the intention to heal from past sexual trauma, the healing is magnified and you release the old. It helps to create positive, gentle and loving experiences for the yoni and whole energetic space.

Is Amy Certified Trauma Informed?

No, while these sessions can help heal from many types of trauma we recommend you have a support team including professionals like therapists and other holistic providers and not view this as your only healing modality. 

Can I be in the room while my daughter is steaming?

Yes. Of course and you can even steam with her at the same time with a Mommy/Daughter session to connect deeper and make the ritual normal and healing for both of you. 

What type of education do you offer on menstruation during a yoni steam session?

Great question. Amy provides education to each girl and women she works with. It’s very important that we know about our body and especially why we bleed every month. Amy will discuss the importance of a proper uterine cleanse/period and how to keep your whole Yoni healthy. She will also explain how to honor this special time each month and how to care for yourself properly for long term health so you don't have to struggle. To get a more extensive womb cleanse information you can attend a class of have an individual session with a focus on education with the steam. We modify and meet people where they are at so real and lasting change can occur.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes! Bringing a friend to steam with you is totally fine and can actually make the experience even more fun and Sacred. It can be intimidating to try something new but when you bring a best friend it allows the experience to be more relaxing and 

How does Yoni Steaming help a women at every stage of womanhood?

Steaming brings warmth to our body at the root and that heat is so healing for women. It allows us to open up and to release what's no longer serving us. It increases circulation as opposed to cold which constricts and contracts. This moist heat softens the womb along with the tissues in the body. It increases vital blood flow and supports the womb in releasing any stagnant blood or materials that may have built up.

How many times do girls need to steam to benefit?

That depends on what's going on with you and what results you desire. Consistency is key but many women notice results after one steam. Most young girls are seeking help to reduce painful period symptoms, tenderness or heaviness in their uterus and vagina on and before their period. In this case I would have them steam a few days in a row before their period. It's a very gentle and tender way to lead into the period and supports a healthy cycle by adding warmth that increases circulation so the body doesn't have to work as hard and can feel truly calm.

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Additional Resources

• www.sacredselfpathways.com

• www.steamychick.com

• www.goddessceremony.com

• www.yonisteaminstitute.com

 

 

 

 

 

FAQs: Midwifery Services

 

Why Homebirth?

It is a well known fact that women birth better when they are relaxed and comfortable. This is true for all mammals.  The birth happens quicker and with much less stress on mother and baby, leading to a healthier birth for all.

 

When birthing at home, women are in their own environment, their safety zone, surrounded by loving family. They are able to lie in their personal bed and bedroom, pace their kitchen and use their own bathroom.  

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Imagine: moving around during labor to many positions and to whichever room is comforting; to have everything you might need and not worry that it didn't get packed; being able to eat and drink, even encouraged, to keep up your strength; to choose which position you give birth to your child, be it bed, floor, couch or bathroom; surrounded by the family that you choose as your support system, including your other children. ​

 

You may hear that homebirth is not safe, but the research does not support that claim for low-risk women with a skilled attendant having a planned homebirth.

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At home you are free to use water- a tub, pool, or shower- to ease Labor or even to give your baby a gentle transition into the world.  You will able to listen to your intuition and be inside drawing on your inner strength and connecting with your baby.  Birth can be a dance with your baby, supported by a caregiver that is a partner and truly listens to your wishes and desires. 

There is very important bonding between a baby and his or her family that happens right at birth and the first few hours postpartum. One of the best parts of a homebirth is that this is not interrupted. The family is kept together as a unit and when everyone is stable and fed, you are all tucked into your bed to rest after all the hard work. Breastfeeding is encouraged and supported as part of that bonding soon after birth. Did I mention using your own bathroom, able to shower whenever you feel ready.

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Many women tend to associate being in the hospital with being sick, an abnormal and stressful event. Many different nurses and staff come in and out to attend you that you have never met before.  Their are many foreign germs in the hospital, a place where people only go when they are sick, while you are already used to the normal germs in your own home and they are not threatening to you. This goes for your baby as well. 

Hospitals and surgeons are there when we need them and do a great job at what they are trained for. Unfortunately, when all women are treated as high risk and interventions are routinely used without a medical reason this often leads to The Cycle of Interventions.    

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This can cause what would have been a normal birth to spiral out of control with a simple intervention interfering with the natural birth process leading to another intervention needed and another.  Many of these births will now involve drugs and perhaps forceps or vacuum extraction, or even cesarean. Because of the different view that many doctors and hospital staff have of birth, many of whom have never seen a homebirth, they do not always see or understand how this cycle develops. 

 

As a CM, I am trained to monitor throughout pregnancy and labor the woman and baby for signs that she may not be low-risk any longer.  In this case, or if a problem arises in labor where the mother or baby is at risk, we will transport to the hospital where they can do what they need to.  

 

Not all labors and births go as planned and none are free of risk, wherever the setting may be.  Birth needs to be flexible.  But you can plan, explore what type of birth would be best for you and make educated decisions.   ​ ​

 

I believe that birth was meant to embolden us, to find how deep that inner strength really is, and to prepare us to parent this particular sacred child.

 

What midwifery services do you offer if something goes wrong during the birth?

I am certified in adult CPR and neonatal resuscitation. In my birth bag, I carry different tinctures, homeopathic remedies, and pharmaceuticals if there are any bleeding concerns. I also have oxygen, IV Fluids, and antibiotics for Group Beta Strep, if you desire the medication. Me and my assistant are always present and watching. As midwives, we are trained in normal, physiological birth so if any issues arise, we have the tools and knowledge to take whatever next step is necessary.  

 

Is home birth safe?

Yes. When women are left alone to move, eat, rest, and progress as their body sees fit, they have the best chances of a safe and normal birth. Check out our resources page for more information.

 

Is HBAC safe?

Yes. There are more and more studies being done to prove that vaginal birth after cesarean is not only safe but it’s actually safer than more abdominal surgery. Research has been steady in proving the safety of VBACs. Check out our resources page for more information.

 

Is water birth at home safe?

Yes, water birth is a safe option. The largest meta-analysis study showed that there is no increased risk of poor outcomes for mothers or babies. And water birth reduces exposure to bacteria or skin infections.

 

Will the baby breathe water, during a water birth at home? ​

No. Babies are designed to not breathe until they come in contact with the air. Unless they are left under the water for an extended period of time – which we never let happen – the baby’s transition is smooth and they easily take their first breath. 

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What if I want an ultrasound, do you offer that as part of your midwifery services?

My fee does not include an ultrasound, but I am able to order them at local facilities, as needed. 

 

What if I tear during a home birth? Can a home birth midwife do a repair?

I always carry a suture kit in my birth bag and I am able to repair perineal tears at home. A wonderful benefit of home birth though is a low chance of a perineal tear because the mother is able to move and assume whatever position she chooses.

 

What about the placenta? What does a home birth midwife do to clean up the mess?

We will allow your placenta to deliver naturally, without any coaxing. I also keep the umbilical cord intact for as long as you’d like. There are many benefits to keeping the cord intact which we can discuss during your prenatal visits. You can keep the placenta, or I can take it if you don’t wish to keep it.

And the mess is far less than you imagine! Me and my team with clean up while you rest and bond! It will be as if we were never there.

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Resources For You Here