Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: History

BBC World Service

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Witness

Witness History: The Birth of the Water Baby

Factual

The Birth of the Water Baby

05/02/2018

BBC World Service - Witness History, The Birth of the Water Baby

French obstetrician Dr Michel Odent encouraged women to use water to ease childbirth.

French obstetrician Dr Michel Odent believed childbirth was too medicalised. So in 1977 he began encouraging women to use water to ease the pain of labour.

French obstetrician Dr Michel Odent believed that childbirth had become too medicalised. So, in 1977 he began promoting a more natural approach at the French state hospital where he worked. He introduced a pool which women could climb into, to ease the pain of labour. Eventually some babies were even born in the pool. Dr Odent looks back at his innovation which changed the way millions of women approached childbirth.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

The Birth of the Water Baby

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4