Michel Odent

Michel Odent Michel Odent, MD, has been in charge of the surgical unit and the maternity unit at the Pithiviers (France) state hospital (1962–1985) and is the founder of the Primal Health Research Centre (London). He is the author of the first articles in the medical literature about the initiation of lactation during the hour following birth and of the first article about use of birthing pools (The Lancet 1983). He created the Primal Health Research database. He is the author of 15 books published in 22 languages. His 2015 book, titled Do We Need Midwives?, is followed by an addendum titled Will Humanity Survive Medicine? Co-author of five academic books, he is also a contributing editor to Midwifery Today magazine.

His approach has been featured in eminent medical journals such as The Lancet and in TV documentaries such as the BBC film Birth Reborn. After his hospital career he practiced homebirths. As a researcher Michel Odent founded the Primal Health Research Center in London, England, which focuses on the long-term consequences of early experiences. An overview of the Primal Health Research data bank www.primalhealthresearch.com demonstrates how health is shaped during the primal period (from conception until the first birthday). The research also suggests that the way we are born has long-term consequences for sociability, aggressiveness—in other words, for our capacity to love. Michel Odent has developed a pre-conception program (the “accordion method”) that minimizes the polluting effects of synthetic fat-soluble chemicals, such as dioxins and PCBs, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. His other research interests are the nonspecific long-term effects of early multiple vaccinations. Visit Michel Odent’s website at www.wombecology.com/. For further information on Michel Odent, his books and the Primal Health Research Center, visit www.primalhealthresearch.com. Learn about the Paramana Doula Course by Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers, an experienced doula, at www.paramanadoula.com. To view Michel Odent’s responses to questions on the Mothering magazine site, see www.mothering.com/sections/experts/odent-archive.html In addition to approximately 50 scientific papers, Odent has published 15 books in 23 languages. His books demonstrate his artistry in turning traditional questions around: “How do we develop good health?” instead of “How do we prevent disease?” or “How do we develop the capacity to love?” instead of “How do we prevent violence?” Michel Odent is the author of the first article in the medical literature about the use of birthing pools (The Lancet 1983), of the first article about the initiation of lactation during the hour following birth, and of the first article applying the “Gate Control Theory of Pain” to obstetrics. He is the author of 12 books published in 22 languages. After his hospital career he practiced homebirths. Odent’s 21st-century books (The Scientification of Love, The Farmer and the Obstetrician and The Caesarean) may be regarded as a trilogy. They raise urgent questions about the future of our civilizations. Other books by Michel Odent:

Photo by Serge A McCabe

Homebirth vs. Hospital Birth, The Bacteriological Perspective

Today, it is commonplace to present Homo sapiens as an ecosystem with a symbiotic interaction between the trillions of cells that are the products of our genes (the “host”) and the hundreds of trillions of microorganisms that colonize the body (the “microbiome”).

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Homebirth vs. Hospital Birth, The Bacteriological Perspective

The Right to Challenge Tradition and Cultural Conditioning

The Right to Challenge Tradition and Cultural Conditioning by Michel Odent. Natural childbirth advocate and obstetrician Michel Odent discusses cultural interferences in childbirth and the repercussions these have had on human development. Read more…. The Right to Challenge Tradition and Cultural Conditioning

Midwifery Tomorrow

Obstetrician and natural childbirth advocate Michel Odent discusses the future of birth and the two scenarios he sees that are most plausible based on our current situation.

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Midwifery Tomorrow

Stress Deprivation in the Perinatal Period

Natural childbirth advocate and obstetrician Michel Odent discusses the importance of stress for the developing baby, particularly stress in the form of labor. Read more…. Stress Deprivation in the Perinatal Period

The Birthing Pool Test

French obstetrician Michel Odent has developed an interesting way to assess labor in what he calls “the birthing pool test.” Read more…. The Birthing Pool Test

Primal Heath Research vs. the NIH

Natural birth advocate and French obstetrician Michel Odent once again shares his wisdom with us in this article.

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Primal Heath Research vs. the NIH

Group B Streptococcal Infection: Beyond the Mysteries

How to explain that group B streptococcal (GBS) infection, today the most significant cause of neonatal bacterial sepsis, suddenly emerged in the 1960s?

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Group B Streptococcal Infection: Beyond the Mysteries

Preeclampsia and Nutritional Priorities

“The nature and the expression of pregnancy diseases vary among different species of mammals. It is notable that these differences are related to the nutritional priorities during the prenatal phase of development.”

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Preeclampsia and Nutritional Priorities

Prematurity and Creativity

The concept of prematurity is a key to understanding the human phenomenon since, compared with other mammals, human beings are born in a state of neuromotor immaturity. This implies that human beings complete their maturation in a social environment.

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Prematurity and Creativity

Why All the Fuss about Twins?

I want to suggest that, in the case of twins, trying to give birth vaginally in an inappropriate environment (e.g., in the presence of a scared doctor or a scared midwife) is a recipe for disaster. We must adapt to our cultural lack of understanding of birth physiology.

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Why All the Fuss about Twins?

Placentophagy

Natural childbirth advocate and obstetrician Michel Odent speaks of placentophagy as a ubiquitous behavior amongst mammals and primates even though it has never been an instinctively human behavior.

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Placentophagy

Cord Cutting: in the Framework of Neonatal Beliefs and Rituals

Natural childbirth advocate and French obstetrician Michel Odent sheds light on the history of cord cutting while interpreting the contradiction of routine interference and current scientific research.

This post is only available to members. To purchase an online membership, go here.

If you are already an online member login here.

 Read more…. Cord Cutting: in the Framework of Neonatal Beliefs and Rituals

Skip to content