Facebook...a friend or foe??
So I haven't written in a while, and it's because I'm having a conflict of confidentiality.... Recently a fellow doula and friend wrote a bit 'too much information' on her facebook status during and about a birth. As it was playing out, I honestly didn't think much of it. However, she received a serious repromand from our local doula association and quickly removed the postings. It brought about an emergency meeting of our executive and with it a bit of mass hysteria. Very quickly, very strong opinoins were formed and expressed. It was/is the executives facebook policy that has given me a "fit of vapours". They would like to blanket ALL doula talk from our facebook accounts, they'd like us to sign a policy about it and adhere to it. This is kind of over kill, I believe. Facebook is a social networking forum and within it is a great tool to be used to network with our "friends". I personally have received two clients from friends of friends. It bothers me that our association has to write a policy about what we are "allowed" to write and that we can't be trusted to use common sense. I, of course, don't dis agree that my friend was wrong in naming names, and giving out too much personal information. However, if I can't write about what I'm passionate about or what I'm doing in my life....it's going to bother me. By me posting that I've been to a birth or that I've gotten a new client, it does not in any way breach anyones confidentiality. I haven't named names, given out intimate details, nor "dissed" a doctor's name. I'm just sharing with my friends what I'm doing with my life. Am I looking for "adoration"?... Maybe a little, but mostly I just want to share what I love to do, and that is to help families be born.
I realize that there are many "hackers" out in the big bad work of the internet that have nothing better to do than try and get intimate information from peoples accounts. Adhearing to strict privacy settings should stop most of them, and the others...well if they are that interested, I guess there's not much I can do to stop them.
So I'm at a loss about what to do with this blog. Am I giving out too much information, can you figure out who I'm blogging about, does it matter??
In our newest Doula International Magazine there is an article that Penny Simkin (the founder of DONA) has written. In it she states that the internet is going to be and is one of our greatest tools, for teaching and speaking about all things birth. Getting the general public to know and be aware of what natural and normal childbirth is. She brings up facebook and states it's on public forums that the world is going to be made aware about what doulas do and are doing.
So I'd like to state this, I promise not to name names, or give out too much information, but I'd still like to share with you stories about births. I'd like to educate you about what is normal and natural in the birthing community. Also I'd like to entertain you with funny antics and sayings that happen in my birthing world. So if you think you know...or maybe you do know who I'm talking about...can you keep it under your hat and just enjoy the story??
Cheers Twila