Childbirth and the Future of Homo Sapiens

Michel Odent is known for his role in the natural childbirth movement. For over 40 years he has been the world's leading 'birth guru'. He has pioneered a new philosophy of childbirth, making it a natural experience for women and providing settings that allow a woman to give birth her own way.

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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.’