Michel Odent
Encyclopedia
Michel Odent is a retired medical doctor. He was born in France
in 1930 and studied medicine at Paris University. He is known for his role in the natural childbirth movement and for promoting water birth
. Odent has stirred controversy at times by arguing that fathers should not be present at birth.
His more recent books include:
He has also written the foreword to the new edition of Childbirth Without Fear, by Grantly Dick-Read.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1930 and studied medicine at Paris University. He is known for his role in the natural childbirth movement and for promoting water birth
Water birth
Water birth is a method of giving birth, which involves immersion in warm water. The immersion can mean giving birth to the infant in the water or using it as a tool during the labor process. Proponents believe that this method is safe and provides many benefits for both mother and infant,...
. Odent has stirred controversy at times by arguing that fathers should not be present at birth.
Medical training
Odent did his initial training in general surgery, and was in charge of the surgical unit and the maternity unit at the Pithiviers state hospital (1962–1985). He then practiced in London, and subsequently founded the Primal Health Research Centre.. He does not hold specialist qualifications in surgery any more, nor is he listed in the EU-wide specialist register for general surgery.Publications
Odent has published 50 scientific papers and 11 books which have been printed in 21 languages.His more recent books include:
- The Farmer and the Obstetrician Published by (Free Association BooksFree Association BooksFree Association Books is an innovative project started in 1980s London. It arose as the brainchild of Bob Young and colleagues, who, disillusioned by the decline of the liberatory movement, began a search using psychoanalysis to understand the problems of liberation...
www.fabooks.com) - The Caesarean (Free Association Books www.fabooks.com )
- Scientification of Love (Free Association Books www.fabooks.com)
- The Functions of the Orgasms: The Highways to Transcendence (2009, Pinter & Martin Ltd.)
- Childbirth in the Age of Plastics (2011, Pinter & Martin Ltd.)
He has also written the foreword to the new edition of Childbirth Without Fear, by Grantly Dick-Read.