It is not the first time that we talk about Michel Oden en Madres Hoy, Odent is an obstetrician of French origin, who at 86 years old is a world reference figure for being a clear defender of physiological childbirth. He was responsible for the creation of the Primal Health Research Center, and among his merits is having presented for the first time a document written by him on the initiation of breastfeeding during the first hour after delivery.
We do Mr. Odent a disservice by describing his contributions in defense of mothers and babies in three lines, so if you are interested in learning more about him, we invite you to find information about him on the Internet.
Today we wanted you to speak of the 'mamiferization' of childbirth, as opposed to the humanization of which we have sometimes spoken. Odent himself points out that any medical intervention during childbirth can cause fear and stress to the pregnant woman, and all the actions designed by hospital protocols have been developed by and for human (and therefore rational) people without taking into account that said woman is a female mammal, and like her predecessors for thousands of years, is able to give birth if the minimum conditions are met.
Does this obstetrician believe that in hospitals should prevail the 'paradigm of protecting' the mother and the baby during childbirth, a process referred to as an "act of full love between two beings and that culminates when the newborn rests on the mother's body". In other words, the aforementioned paradigm takes precedence over that of 'helping', which can become intrusive. Her description of the process is exciting, for example she explains that the neocortex (called 'rational brain') tends to decrease activity during childbirth, so any manifestation of human language (verbal and non-verbal) must be reduced and used with extreme care, so as not to activate it and interfere.
Michel Odent does not deny a necessary intervention, what happens is that in his opinion, many of them are not. We have really lost the naturalness that should be associated with childbirth, to such an extent that cesarean section has become normal surprisingly, and even mothers justify it (out of conviction or fear of realizing what is obvious).
Cocktail of hormones culminating in an act of love.
Odent is part of scientific societies, although in the UK (where he resides) he does not practice as an obstetrician or surgeon; However: her extensive previous experience includes a position in the maternity unit of the Hospital de Pithiviers, where she had the opportunity to question (and help midwives to do the same) many of the usual practices. As you know, oxytocin is the hormone of love, and it is released to facilitate labor, since it causes contractions, then it also intervenes in the secretion of breast milk.
But if the adrenaline levels in the woman are high (she feels threatened, stressed) the delivery will have to wait ... in a natural environment it would occur when the woman felt safe, in a hospital, the fact that she 'does not progress' can trigger a series of interventions (such as synthetic oxytocin, strokes, etc.) that may only make the situation worse (understanding as a worsening a 'departure from nature').
Details that matter a lot.
Odent gives us that the prepartum woman should not remain inactive, that a dim lighting or more darkness favors, and that the cord is not cut prematurely. In this matter, if we can feel lucky to have health professionals and equipment, it will be because we have advice and someone to help us if necessary; but a good way to help a woman giving birth is simply 'accompanying her'.
Women have given birth without difficulties, and without associated problems, for much of our history as humans, but above all we are mammals, although 'fear' or conventions make us forget it at times.
Definitely: if we know the basic needs that we as mammals have, and our babies have, it will be easier to ask for 'non-interventionist' assistance in our deliveries. We can start by looking for information to feel more secure, talking with the midwife, contact the association Delivery is Ours, it is also possible to elaborate our Birth Plan, even consider a home birth. Information first, decision-making later, not the other way around.
Images - Tom adriaenssen