Dr. Michel Odent – Consultant Obstetrician – on the most important aspects of birth

Dr Michel Odent is one of the most famous Obstetricians in the world. In this video he explains the most important aspects of birth for a woman.

For a woman to achieve what she wants in birth she needs to fully understand her body chemistry and what drives her labour. The principles of birth and the needs of a birthing woman must be understood by both the pregnant woman and her support team to achieve a great result.

There are strong cultural influences that impact the birth environment and these have been around for thousands of years and still apply today. We are led to believe that birth practice is scientific in nature, yet even many western countries have different practices and protocols. How is it that Holland has a caesarean rate of 13% and Britain 30%? Are the women in Holland designed differently? Perhaps our cultural practices play a bigger part than we think.

The most influential factor on a woman giving birth the way she wants is still her environment. The principle of environment is not unique to a woman in labour. It is a natural law and is true for the success of any new baby, child or animal. The way she designs her environment will dictate the inner workings of her chemistry which is called physiology. The most influential part of this birth physiology is the brain and in particular one part of the female brain. Birth physiology is the chemical process that allows birth to happen naturally and normally. An assisted delivery or traumatic birth is when the body chemistry starts to move away from normal. It is similar to requiring the correct ingredients of a cake for the best outcome. Without the exact chemicals natural birth is impossible which is why so many women need intervention today.

Birth is driven by the posterior brain, or what is called the old brain. The neo-cortex is the frontal or new brain which is known as the brain of the intellect. If a woman is required to think, answer questions, or her intellectual brain is stimulated, then labour will slow down or can even shut down. This is perfectly natural and part of the normal physiology of birth and is most common when danger is perceived and a strategy to survive is required. That requires thinking and a woman would need to halt the labour to escape a predator. Can you imagine running between contractions?!

It is so important that we create an environment that enables women to have the best possible chance of feeling a sense of achievement. To look back on birth with pride and happiness prepares the way for a promising start to breastfeeding and motherhood. Let’s face it, giving birth will probably be the most challenging experience which is why it is possible for it to be a great triumph. No mother has ever failed in childbirth and yet that can be the feeling a mum is left with if it does not turn out as she wanted. A Mum who feels she has done less than her best is often left with that memory for life and we have professional support for anyone who wants help with that or who wants to minimise that risk.

Intervention rates are around 70-80% today which suggests that women are not capable of giving birth on their own. We know that is untrue so we must take a serious look at the setting we are creating today so we can support women to have a fantastic birth experience. Birth is not a hurdle to get over but an integral and important physiological part of pregnancy and motherhood.

There is so much fear attached to it today which is why women need so much intervention; their bodies are literally shutting down. It is the most challenging aspect of prenatal life and yet can and should be the greatest and most exciting moment for a new Mum. This is the point you get to meet the little person you have created. Would you want to be numb from drugs or present to what you have achieved If you would like more information on how you can be supported to have the birth you want and what is possible please contact us.

Listen to the wisdom of 50 years experience in childbirth. Michel Odent has seen the birth culture grow and change with the advent of plastic which he will be explaining in later interviews and in a new book out soon. He has a wealth of knowledge and understands the bigger picture related to a successful birth for women. Please watch his videos to get a more complete picture of what he has to offer.