Michel Odent, the leading pioneer for natural childbirth, indicates that the period between conception and a child's first birthday is critical to life-long health. Here, he argues that different parts of the 'primal adaptive system' develop, regulate and adjust themselves during foetal life and the time around birth and infancy.

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, and has been a member of the Professional Advisory Board of La Leche League International for some forty 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 numerous articles and books.