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Childbirth and the Future of Homo Sapiens
Former obstetrician and 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.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 27, 2022
Es bräuchte heut zutage mehr davon !!!!
February 17, 2015
"Let us act as if it is not too late." What excellent advice.
I have to admit that at the beginning of this book, I wondered if Dr. Odent had done a complete turnaround on his views of childbirth. After finishing, I am glad that he has not.
Everything that we are taught about birth is wrong. The way birth is handled in hospitals is wrong. The way birth is handled at home is often wrong. It is very sobering that so few people care.
Some thoughts and/or things I found interesting:
In a study of mice who were bred to have no bacteria, it was found that they had more hyperactivity and risky behavior later in life. If bacteria was introduced early in life, the effects were mitigated but if introduced later, the behavior was too engrained.
In the hospital and at home, laboring women are encouraged to drink lots of fluid in order to avoid dehydration. Guess what? This isn't necessary. A woman in labor expends less energy than a woman waiting for an elective c-section. Who'd have thought?
Many of the pathologies related to pregnancy and child birth seem to be nothing more than a desire for someone to be in charge.
Every book that I have read by Michel Odent has left me with much to think about. This one is no different.
I have to admit that at the beginning of this book, I wondered if Dr. Odent had done a complete turnaround on his views of childbirth. After finishing, I am glad that he has not.
Everything that we are taught about birth is wrong. The way birth is handled in hospitals is wrong. The way birth is handled at home is often wrong. It is very sobering that so few people care.
Some thoughts and/or things I found interesting:
In a study of mice who were bred to have no bacteria, it was found that they had more hyperactivity and risky behavior later in life. If bacteria was introduced early in life, the effects were mitigated but if introduced later, the behavior was too engrained.
In the hospital and at home, laboring women are encouraged to drink lots of fluid in order to avoid dehydration. Guess what? This isn't necessary. A woman in labor expends less energy than a woman waiting for an elective c-section. Who'd have thought?
Many of the pathologies related to pregnancy and child birth seem to be nothing more than a desire for someone to be in charge.
Every book that I have read by Michel Odent has left me with much to think about. This one is no different.
October 4, 2019
Zajímavá kniha, určitě i pro lidi, kteří se zajímají o vývoj lidstva.
May 24, 2025
pretty badly edited but full of interesting perspectives and ideas that I haven’t come across before
May 28, 2014
Ideias muito interessantes, mas me senti desconfortável com as correlações apresentadas entre o uso de ocitocina sintética e "doenças" complexas e pouco compreendidas como o autismo e a anorexia, sem considerar fatores genéticos e sociais. De qualquer forma, o texto traz muitas informações e faz pensar sobre o excesso de intervenção no acompanhamento do nascimento, que aparentemente, é mais aceito na obstetrícia que em outras especialidades médicas.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews