Pioneering Obstetrician Michel Odent Passes Away at 95

Michel Odent, the influential French obstetrician known for his groundbreaking work in natural childbirth, has died at the age of 95. His contributions over more than five decades significantly shaped the understanding of the natural physiology of childbirth, challenging conventional practices that dominated obstetrics.

In the 1960s, the approach to childbirth increasingly leaned towards the “active management of labour,” which involved the use of artificial oxytocin and various medical interventions. Odent emerged as a critical voice, highlighting the drawbacks of this trend. Daniela Drandić, of the International Confederation of Midwives, noted, “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.”

Many of the practices Odent advocated for, such as the use of birthing pools and home-like birthing centres, are now standard in many countries, including the UK. It is widely accepted today that mothers should have the freedom to move during labour and require uninterrupted time to bond with their newborns.

Odent began his career in 1962 at Pithiviers state hospital, located approximately 50 miles south of Paris. Although he had trained as a surgeon, his passion for obstetrics led him to take over the maternity unit after the director stepped down. He managed the unit until 1985, influenced by the works of French obstetrician Frédérick Leboyer and Russian advocate Igor Charkovsky, who promoted water births.

In his practice, Odent advocated for alternative birthing positions, such as squatting or standing, rather than the conventional flat-laying position. His innovative approach included transforming the delivery suite into a more inviting space, equipped with cushions and soft lighting. Concerned about the pain women experienced during labour, he introduced inflatable paddling pools, eventually installing a dedicated birth pool. His landmark paper, “Birth Under Water,” published in *The Lancet* in 1983, detailed the effectiveness of this method in alleviating pain.

The BBC documentary *Birth Reborn* aired in 1982, showcasing Odent’s methods to a broader audience. The film presented a serene environment at the Pithiviers midwifery unit, where dimmed lights and the ability for women to move freely were highlights. Odent emphasized the importance of a calm atmosphere, where a woman in labour could find support from a single, experienced midwife engaged in a soothing task. He believed that such conditions facilitated the release of oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone,” essential for effective uterine contractions.

Janet Balaskas, who runs the Active Birth Centre in London, remarked, “We always knew that ‘nature knows best’ but it was Odent who provided the ‘why.’” His reputation grew as pregnant women from Europe and the United States sought to experience childbirth at Pithiviers, prompting many midwives to visit the unit.

During Odent’s tenure, the number of births at Pithiviers quadrupled. However, he eventually felt a stronger calling to conduct research and share his findings globally. In 1985, he relocated to London, where he continued to research and promote his ideas for the next 40 years. Registered with the UK General Medical Council, he also assisted with home births.

Odent strongly believed that the conditions surrounding birth and the “primal period” — from conception to the first year of life — have lasting impacts on an individual’s well-being. He established the Primal Health Research Centre in London, creating a database to compile epidemiological data supporting his theories. Throughout his career, he authored numerous articles and wrote 17 books translated into 22 languages. His book *The Farmer and the Obstetrician*, published in 2002, critiques the industrialisation of childbirth and the overuse of medical interventions.

While Odent was celebrated for his contributions, he was also a figure of controversy. For instance, he controversially suggested in 2009 that anxious fathers should remain outside the delivery room to avoid disturbing their partners. Additionally, some of his later theories, which linked certain psychological disorders to artificial inductions and cesarean sections, faced skepticism from experts in the field.

Born on July 7, 1930, in Bresles, northern France, Michel Odent was the elder son of Madeleine and Paul Odent. His mother, who ran a nursery school and had a significant influence on his upbringing, instilled in him an appreciation for the natural world. After completing his education in Clermont, he moved to Paris at 18 to study medicine at the Sorbonne University. Following two years of military service in Algeria, he returned to France and began his surgical career.

Odent married Nicole Toulat in 1957, with whom he had two children, Sylvie and Christophe. The couple later separated. In 1983, he met British journalist Judy Graham, with whom he had a son, Pascal. Following their separation, he formed a long-lasting partnership with Liliana Lammers, a doula who supported him in his work around childbirth.

Michel Odent is survived by Liliana, his first wife Nicole, and children Sylvie and Pascal, along with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He passed away on August 19, 2025, leaving a legacy that continues to influence childbirth practices worldwide.