aloe for after the birth***need some help from all the additive pros

[reducereuserecycle]

i don't have a live aloe plant...it died after i pulled so many leaves off after my last birth

so, this time, i really want to use aloe to heal everything up down there. i could not get pure aloe gel at the health food store. they all had additives. the lady sold me a drinkable version that she said is most pure, but it is only 99% organic. other than the pure aloe it contains:

carrogeenan (thickening agent)
citric acid (pH stabilizer)
potassium sorbate (mold inhibitor)

i want to be able to use it fairly soon after the birth, but i am wondering if this will burn going directly onto some stretches and/ or tears. anyone know?
what is your opinion on the additives and as long as i don't have major tears, how long should i wait before i apply this?

[Belle]

Could you buy a new plant? What about just buying a couple leaves? Our grocery store has large Aloe leaves for sale in the produce section next to the mushrooms.

[reducereuserecycle]

that is a good idea but i am running out of time

there is a store that just sells loose leaves but it is not close enough to get someone to go out and get when i need it.

[Belle]

Not sure how far along you are now, but could you buy a couple leaves ahead of time and keep them in your fridge? Unless you are in labor now its probably not too late.

[wombatclay]

I used the 99% pure drinkable version after both dd1 (unplanned c/s) and dd2 (vbac but with a 4th degree tear and lots of sutures). I didn't feel any stinging or anything from the aloe and I was using it within a day or so of the births. If it's the same type I used though (Lily of the Desert) just make sure to shake the bottle first... it kept seperating into the "gel" and the "liquid". I also found it helpful to pour the gel onto a cloth or into a smaller cup first and then applying it from there. It felt great to take a hot herbal sitz bath, then smear on aloe, and lay "nekkid bummed" in a sunbeam for 10 minutes or so.

Happy birthing!

[reducereuserecycle]

not in labor yet...but it will be soon and i don't think i will be near the store that sells aloe before the birth...if i am...i will get some for sure...cause i think it is organic and that is why i don't just want to go to lowe's or somewhere where the aloe is probably sprayed.

the brand i have is Lily of the Desert
i am soooo glad to hear that is what you used and that it worked for you.

last time i froze mama pads and then used them for relief so that is going to be awesome to spread some cold aloe on the frozen pads