Lavender

Info. (and photo) that I found on the web:

From ancient Greece to modern times, lavender has become one of the most common and widely used cultivated herbs. And it's no wonder, because it's one of the most versatile, too. All forms of lavender -- essential oil, dried or fresh flowers, aromatic spray, and tea -- are safe to use on all skin types, even young children's delicate skin.
Grow a patch of lavender. Plant a few mounds in a sunny spot around a garden bench or large stone or log. On a hot summer's day, have a seat in your lavender patch. Brush your hands against the plant and inhale the delightful scent wafting through the breeze. Lavender is recommended for people who experience constant stress and overstimulation and find it difficult to relax and unwind.
The essential oil of these lovely, purple, highly fragrant flowers can soothe your soul without sapping your energy. To enhance concentration and promote mental clarity, place a drop on your wrist, the palms of your hands, or the nape of your neck and breathe deeply.
Lavender is a potent antiseptic. Add 2 drops of essential oil of lavender to 1 teaspoon of coconut, almond, olive, or hazelnut oil or aloe vera juice and apply the mixture directly to burns, sunburns, abrasions, insect stings, or inflamed pimples to cleanse and disinfect.
Purchase a bottle of lavender aromatic spray a watery by-product of essential oil distillation -- and spray a fine mist onto your face and hair, and into the surrounding air. Inhale the vapors. The chemical components of the lavender plant have the ability to alter the emotions by influencing the sense of smell, which triggers the region of the brain that deals with memory and mood.

I planted some lavender here and it's doing okay. I don't think the soil is sandy and dry enough for it though. Lavender is drought resistant so it does well with little water. We had a HUGE English lavender plant by the front door of our first home. It was so nice to walk by and smell the wonderful fragrance.

Good for the Amish!

Midwife for Amish wins appeal
by DAVID WENNER, Of The Patriot-News
Friday May 23, 2008, 3:41 PM
A Pennsylvania court has reversed state-imposed fines and penalties against a Lancaster-area midwife who has delivered thousands of babies for the Amish.
A panel of Commonwealth Court judges ruled the state medical board was wrong to fine and order Diane Goslin to stop delivering babies.
But rather than state that Goslin is free to deliver babies, the written decision concludes Goslin hadn't been given adequate opportunity to defend herself against charges of practicing midwifery without a license.
Goslin, 50, said today her interpretation of the ruling is that it allows her to resume deliveries. The state board of medicine couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
The board took action against Goslin in early 2007, eventually fining her $11,000. The situation resulted in several occasions where hundreds of Amish men, women and children came to Harrisburg to rally in support of Goslin.
The Amish argue deliveries performed by so-called "lay midwives" are more natural, safer and in keeping with their culture.
Pennsylvania requires nurse midwives to have a state license. Goslin is certified by the North American Registry of Midwives, which isn't recognized in Pennsylvania.

Lavender's fragrance

This is a little something I found on the relaxing fragrance of lavender for birthing women:

Certain smells can have a calming and comforting effect. If you are planning to give birth in a hospital or birth center you may want to bring a few things that smell like home; a favorite blanket or pillow, or maybe a favorite t-shirt or sweatshirt that would carry a home-like scent. Some other aromatherapy ideas to explore include purchasing an electric diffuser, incense, or essential oils such as lavender, sage, rose, & jasmine. Use lavender, bergamot or geranium oils to keep the air fresh and create a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere. Jasmine and clary sage have traditionally been used during labor to help contractions and ease muscular pain; lavender is antiseptic and analgesic; frankincense deepens breathing and calms anxiety.

Doula

The 1st birth I helped at was over 20 years ago. My step sister was having her first baby and I had a privilege of helping her (along with several others). It was a natural birth and an amazing miracle! I was on cloud nine for days following. The only difficult part for me was watching the doctor stitch her up after an episiotomy (this was awfully painful for her) which I think could have been avoided with perineal massage.
I've helped at many births since. It's a love of mine that I hope to continue once the children are raised. My real dream (though just a tad bit unrealistic) is to help Amish women deliver their babies. Almost all of them have homebirths. I am fascinated with the Amish and birth so there you have it:)
I've given birth 6 times... 2 homebirths with a wonderful, Christian midwife and 4 other times : 1 with a doctor ( bad tearing) and 3 other times with midwives in the hospital (wonderful!) giving birth has been one of the hardest things I've ever done but the most rewarding of all.