The issue you have raised is important Jo. The electronic medium makes it all too easy for anyone to pick up whatever they fancy and reprint it.
I was notified recently by an English midwife that a section from my website was being used, without acknowledgment, on the website of another group of midwives. The information is what I call 'Planning for birth at home', and I have used it in booklet form, as a handout to prospective clients, as well as on my website, since at least 1997 - maybe longer. Some of it is original work - some is what I consider common knowledge, including lists of questions that anyone might ask, that I have accumulated during my years as a mother and a midwife. It concludes with a very personal statement that I wrote: "You are planning to give birth in your own home. Your pregnancy is a statement of your wellness, life and strength. New life is swelling your body. You and your mate accept the gift of life with eager anticipation. Your body tells you that change and growth are following nature's course. The cessation of your menstrual flow, the desire for good food and rest, the enlargement of your breasts - all external - accompany the private dreaming. As your midwife I am committed to supporting you and your family through this wonderfully basic life event - the birth of your baby - your personal, intimate celebration of life and health. Joy Johnston" This is also the concluding statement in the copied version, except my name has been left off. That's pretty disappointing. I have written to the people who have used my work, and they have assured me that the mistake was made by someone else, and that they will rectify the situation. I think this sort of thing needs to be addressed, and those who copy material from this list do need to ask permission of the writer. Joy Johnston 25 Eley Rd Blackburn South Vic 3130 Tel: 03 9808 9614 Fax: 03 9808 3611 M: 04111 90448 www.aitex.com.au/joy.htm -----Original Message----- From: Jo Slamen [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 9:04 AM To: Midwifery List Subject: Birth Story Book I was absolutely delighted yesterday to completely by accident discover that my birth story was published in "The Birth Book", Carol Barbar (revised edition published this year). I was in a bookshop with husband (who is the IT Manager for this chain of bookshops) and was browsing the preggo/baby titles (as is my habit), and this one was face out (bookselling term) and I'd never seen it before, so thumbed through, and saw "Jo's Birth Story". The first sentence was so familiar! And then it dawned on me. I am pleased as punch, and not at all seeking any financial or other reward, but was just wondering exactly how it got there. I think that I probably copied it to a request from this list for birth stories (and never thought anything of it) and, as I say, I am not after anything, but was just a little surprised, as had I not discovered this, I may never have known it was "in print" for real! So thank you, and if anyone can put me on the trail of the responsible (bless them), I'd like to say thanks properly. Jo -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
