Primal Health by Michel Odent

Primal Health by Michel Odent

Michel Odent, the leading pioneer for natural childbirth, indicates that the period between conception and a child's first birthday is critical to lifelong health. In this prophetic book (first published in 1986 and reproduced here in its original form), the author states that different parts of the primal adaptive system develop, regulate, and adjust themselves during fetal life and the time around birth and infancy.

Everything which happens during this period of dependence on the mother has an influence on this basic state of health, this primal health. He suggests that the later well-being of adults, their ability to withstand the diseases of civilization such as hypertension, cancer, alcoholism and failures of the immune system resulting in AIDS, allergies and viral diseases, can all be traced back to society's ignorance of the vital importance of the primal period.

Since the first edition of this groundbreaking work, research has continued apace, offering further evidence to substantiate Odent's ideas. In the important new Introduction and Postscript, the author reviews recent developments and relates them to the central themes of Primal Health.

This book is essential reading for all who care about the health of our children and the ongoing health of society as a whole.

Michel Odent, MD, was in charge of the surgical and maternity units at the Pithiviers state hospital in France between 1962 to 1985. For many years he was the only doctor in charge of a thousand yearly births. He coined the term hormone of love in connection with oxytocin. He created the Primal Health Research database (primalhealthresearch.com), and has been a member of the Professional Advisory Board of La Leche League International for some 40 years. Michel Odent is Visiting Professor at the Odessa National Medical University and Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Brasilia. He is the author of many articles and books.