Childbirth and the future of homo sapiens - Michel Odent

In discussions of the future the emphasis is usually on the effects of myriad new technologies on our lives (examples being Al Gore's The Future and Michel Serres' Petites Poucettes). However, former obstetrician and revolutionary childbirth pioneer Michel Odent argues that the aspect of human lifestyle that has been most profoundly changed in recent decades is the period of time surrounding the birth of a child. Since this formative time is considered critical in defining our species, Homo sapiens, fundamental changes in this area should herald significant evolution in regard to how babies are born. This, surely, should be at the heart of our discussions of the future, even above considerations of how humanity and planet earth interact. This book has been written as an exploration of the topic for all those interested in the evolution of human beings and the future of humanity, but comes with a caveat from its author, who says it is 'for everyone except pregnant women. whose time is precious. They should be watching the moon, singing to their unborn babies in the womb and nurturing the life within them.'

Michel Odent, MD, has been in charge of the surgical unit and the maternity unit at the Pithiviers state hospital (1962-1985) and is the founder of the Primal Health Research Centre (London). He is the author of the first article in the medical literature about the initiation of lactation during the hour following birth (1977), of the first article about the use of birthing pools (Lancet 1983), and of the first article applying the 'Gate Control Theory of Pain' to obstetrics (1975). See pubmed.com (Odent M). He created the Primal Health Research database (www.primalhealthresearch.com). He is the author of 16 books published in 24 languages.

Michel Odent is Visiting Professor at the Odessa National Medical University and Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Brasilia.