Silent birth
Encyclopedia
Silent birth, sometimes known as quiet birth, is a birthing procedure advised by L. Ron Hubbard
and advocated by Scientologists
in which "everyone attending the birth should refrain from spoken words as much as possible" and where "... chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to 'PUSH, PUSH' and loud or laughing remarks to 'encourage' are avoided".
According to Scientology doctrine, this is because "any words spoken are recorded in the reactive mind
and can have an aberrative effect on the mother and the child." There have been no attempts to prove this medically or scientifically.
, said, "There's absolutely no scientific evidence that taking [noise] away at the time of delivery will have any effect on outcome for the baby or mother."
When asked whether there was any medical evidence that indicated that silent birth was beneficial, Damian Alagia, MD, associate clinical professor in the department of obstetrics
and gynecology at George Washington University Medical Center
, replied, "It may be in the Scientology literature, but it's not in the scientific literature. In my understanding, L. Ron Hubbard never spent any time in medical school, studying pediatrics
or studying neonatal
development. To think that a baby born in silence is going to do any better than a baby born, say, listening to Hank Williams is just foolhardy."
and wife Katie Holmes
, who converted to Scientology from Roman Catholicism, were expecting a child. Reports that the couple would follow the practice of silent birth were denied, until photos were taken of large placards being delivered to the couple's mansion bearing instructions for the silent birth, such as "Be silent and make all physical movements slow and understandable."
It was often reported in the media during this time that speaking to the infant during the first week of its life was barred by Scientology doctrine as well. A Church spokesperson termed this "a total fabrication." The Church of Scientology International writes, "L. Ron Hubbard never wrote that parents should not speak to their child for seven days following birth". This same website also says, "The idea of silent birth is based on L. Ron Hubbard’s research into the mind and spirit. He found that words spoken during moments of pain and unconsciousness can have adverse effects on an individual later in life". It then says, "Mothers naturally want to give their baby the best possible start in life and thus keep the birth as quiet as possible".
.
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
and advocated by Scientologists
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
in which "everyone attending the birth should refrain from spoken words as much as possible" and where "... chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to 'PUSH, PUSH' and loud or laughing remarks to 'encourage' are avoided".
According to Scientology doctrine, this is because "any words spoken are recorded in the reactive mind
Reactive mind
The reactive mind is a concept in the Dianetics and Scientology systems of L. Ron Hubbard, referring to that portion of the human mind that is unconscious and stimulus-response, which Hubbard blamed for most mental and physical ailments...
and can have an aberrative effect on the mother and the child." There have been no attempts to prove this medically or scientifically.
Scientific opinion
The efficacy of silent birth has been questioned by a number of doctors and other health care professionals. Patricia Devine, MD, a maternal–fetal medicine specialist who directs the Labor and Delivery Unit at Columbia University Medical CenterColumbia University Medical Center
Columbia University Medical Center is an academic medical center that includes Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, College of Dental Medicine, School of Nursing and Mailman School of Public Health...
, said, "There's absolutely no scientific evidence that taking [noise] away at the time of delivery will have any effect on outcome for the baby or mother."
When asked whether there was any medical evidence that indicated that silent birth was beneficial, Damian Alagia, MD, associate clinical professor in the department of obstetrics
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
and gynecology at George Washington University Medical Center
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, replied, "It may be in the Scientology literature, but it's not in the scientific literature. In my understanding, L. Ron Hubbard never spent any time in medical school, studying pediatrics
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
or studying neonatal
Infant
A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...
development. To think that a baby born in silence is going to do any better than a baby born, say, listening to Hank Williams is just foolhardy."
Ray and Louise Spiering
In 2004, Scientologists Ray and Louise Spiering went to federal court to argue that Nebraska's mandatory blood test for infants would violate their right to practice the "Silent Birth Method" of their religion. According to the lawsuit, "... every effort should be made to avoid subjecting the baby to loud sounds, talking, stress or pain during the first seven days of the baby's life ... Because a baby goes through so much pain during the birth process, Scientologists believe that a newborn baby should not be subjected to any further pain or significant sensory experiences."Katie Holmes
The "silent birth" became a source of media interest when it was known that outspoken Scientologist actor Tom CruiseTom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
and wife Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes
Katherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
, who converted to Scientology from Roman Catholicism, were expecting a child. Reports that the couple would follow the practice of silent birth were denied, until photos were taken of large placards being delivered to the couple's mansion bearing instructions for the silent birth, such as "Be silent and make all physical movements slow and understandable."
It was often reported in the media during this time that speaking to the infant during the first week of its life was barred by Scientology doctrine as well. A Church spokesperson termed this "a total fabrication." The Church of Scientology International writes, "L. Ron Hubbard never wrote that parents should not speak to their child for seven days following birth". This same website also says, "The idea of silent birth is based on L. Ron Hubbard’s research into the mind and spirit. He found that words spoken during moments of pain and unconsciousness can have adverse effects on an individual later in life". It then says, "Mothers naturally want to give their baby the best possible start in life and thus keep the birth as quiet as possible".
External links
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Medical News Today is a web-based outlet for medical news, targeted to both physicians and the general public. The site was launched in 2003 and reports monthly readership of 3–4 million unique visitors...
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