Frédérick Leboyer

Life & Legacy

Frédérick Leboyer (1 November 1918 – 25 May 2017) was a French obstetrician and author. He is best known for his 1975 book, Birth Without Violence, which popularized gentle birthing techniques. He also advocated low lighting and quiet in a warm room to limit the supposed shock of birth,[Reynolds, Concise Encyclopedia of Special Education, 138] and that a newborn be laid on its mother's stomach and allowed to bond, instead of being taken away for tests.