Pioneering Obstetrician Michel Odent Passes Away at 95

Michel Odent, the influential French obstetrician renowned for advocating natural childbirth, has passed away at the age of 95. His contributions over more than five decades transformed the understanding of childbirth, emphasizing the importance of the natural physiological processes involved. Odent’s work challenged the prevailing methods in obstetrics, which heavily relied on medical interventions such as artificial oxytocin, particularly since the 1960s.

Odent’s critiques of the medicalization of childbirth drew attention to its potential drawbacks. According to Daniela Drandić from the International Confederation of Midwives, “In the 1970s birth was institutionalised and medicalised. Michel Odent reminded us that physiological processes during pregnancy and birth should be respected, which was very important as things had gone too far in the other direction.” His pioneering ideas have since become mainstream, with practices like birthing pools and home-like birthing centers now commonplace in many countries, including the UK.

In 1962, Odent began his career at Pithiviers state hospital, located about 80 kilometers south of Paris. Initially trained as a surgeon, he developed a keen interest in obstetrics. After taking over as the head of the maternity unit, he implemented significant changes that prioritized natural birthing methods. Influenced by the works of his contemporaries, such as French obstetrician Frédérick Leboyer and Russian proponent of water births, Igor Charkovsky, Odent was bold enough to follow his instincts.

He advocated for women to give birth in more natural positions, such as squatting or standing, rather than lying flat. His innovative approach included transforming conventional delivery suites into more welcoming environments, complete with cushions and dim lighting. Concerned about women experiencing lower back pain during labor, he introduced inflatable paddling pools, ultimately installing a dedicated birth pool. His landmark paper, “Birth Under Water,” published in The Lancet in 1983, highlighted the effectiveness of water births in reducing pain.

The 1982 BBC documentary Birth Reborn brought Odent’s methods to a wider audience, showcasing the tranquil atmosphere of his midwifery unit. The documentary portrayed a safe and calm environment where women could labor freely and bond with their newborns. Odent’s deep respect for the six midwives who worked alongside him inspired many of his key insights. He found that a woman in labor benefits significantly from a serene and private setting, often with just one experienced midwife present.

In these optimal conditions, Odent observed that oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is released, promoting uterine contractions. Conversely, he noted that an overly bright and busy labor ward could lead to stress and the release of adrenaline, which inhibits oxytocin production. His insights into the physiological impacts of the birthing environment were groundbreaking and continue to influence obstetric practices today.

As his reputation grew, pregnant women from across Europe and the United States sought to experience childbirth at Pithiviers. The number of annual births at the unit quadrupled during his tenure, but by 1985, Odent felt his impact could extend further through research and writing. He relocated to London, where he dedicated the next four decades to promoting his ideas and conducting research.

In London, Odent registered with the UK General Medical Council and continued to assist with home births. He passionately believed that the circumstances surrounding birth and the early stages of life profoundly affect lifelong well-being. To further this research, he established the Primal Health Research Centre, creating a comprehensive database to collate epidemiological data and support his theories.

Odent was a prolific author, writing numerous articles and publishing 17 books in 22 languages. His 2002 work, The Farmer and the Obstetrician, drew parallels between modern farming practices and the industrialization of childbirth, critiquing the widespread use of caesarean sections and artificial hormones. Combining his roles as both philosopher and obstetrician, Odent often spoke about the importance of respecting nature in childbirth.

Despite his influence, Odent was not without controversy. In 2009, he suggested that fathers should remain outside the delivery room if they felt anxious, to avoid disrupting their partners during labor. His later writings proposed connections between artificial labor induction, caesarean sections, and conditions like autism and anorexia, theories that sparked skepticism among some experts.

Michel Odent was born on July 7, 1930, in Bresles, northern France. He was the eldest son of Madeleine and Paul Odent. His mother, who ran a nursery school, profoundly influenced his life, while his father worked at a local sugar factory. After completing his schooling in Clermont, he moved to Paris at 18 to study medicine at Sorbonne University.

Odent’s military service in Algeria during the war for independence opened his eyes to new surgical techniques, including caesarean sections. After returning to France, he took a position as a surgeon in Pithiviers. In 1957, he married Nicole Toulat, with whom he had two children, Sylvie and Christophe. The couple later separated. In 1983, he met British TV journalist Judy Graham, settling with her in Hampstead, London, where they had a son, Pascal, in 1985. Following their separation, he formed a lasting relationship with Liliana Lammers, a doula, and continued to reside in Hampstead.

Odent is survived by Liliana, Nicole, Sylvie, Pascal, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Christophe and younger brother, Daniel. Michel Odent, obstetrician, author, and advocate for natural childbirth, died on August 19, 2025. His legacy will continue to influence generations of healthcare professionals and parents alike.