The Farmer and the Obstetrician [Paperback]

Michel Odent (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1853435651 | ISBN-13: 978-1853435652 | Publication Date: May 2002

This title seeks to show how farming and childbirth have been industrialized side by side during the 20th century with dramatic and disturbing consequences. In both cases innovations have been presented as the long awaited solution to an old problem. The advent of synthetic pesticides has increased agricultural productivity, similarly the advent of the safe caesarean section has offerd new reasons to create gigantic obstetrical departments. In both spheres sceptics voiced fears concerning the negative long term consequences of the use of novel, little tested practices. The industrialization of farming has sparked a series of disasters, industrialized childbirth has not, yet, reached the same phase of its history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For several decades Michel Odent has played multiple and complimentary roles in influencing the history of childbirth and health research. Familiarly known as the obstetrician who introduced the concepts of birthing pools and home-like birthing rooms. He is the uthor of more than 50 scientific papers and 10 books including "Scientification of Love"

Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Free Association Books (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853435651
• ISBN-13: 978-1853435652
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,282,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Healing the Earth by Healing Birth, June 26, 2002

By 

Jeannine Parvati Baker - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Farmer and the Obstetrician (Paperback)

Possibly Michel Odent's most important book to date, The Farmer & The Obstetrician details how agri-business and the medical MANagement of childbirth were co-arising in the last century and the devastating impact these industries have had upon the Earth. The author suggests what we can do about it by adopting a sustainable model of childbirth care -- at the close of the chapter entitled, "Being a Midwife or an Obstetrician Before 2032", Odent writes, "Understanding the laws of nature and working with them ... is the main characteristic of a biodynamic attitude, whether in plant, cultivation, animal breeding or childbirth. The evolution of antenatal care gave us an opportunity to illustrate and clarify the comcept of a biodynamic attitude."

As an author, speaker, and midwife for the conscious childbirth movement this last generation, I heartily recommend Odent's new book to not only perinatal professionals but anyone who eats and was born. After reading The Farmer and the Obstetrician, your view of food and having babies will be transformed! This is a brilliant and hopefully prophetic contribution to the 21st century -- indeed, it's benestrophic. Read it and share with your friends for the sake of our shared planet's future.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Farmer and the Obstetrician, October 17, 2007

By 

J. Taylor "midwifery student" (Granville, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Farmer and the Obstetrician (Paperback)

This book truly makes you look at the comparison between industrialized farming and industrialized childbirth, and how this country inparticular has handled the surge of both. It also makes you understand more clearly as a midwifery student the impact that industrialized childbirth has on this country; the women, the doctors, the hospitals, and society as a whole. It's a true eye opener.