Silent birth

Scientology and Dianetics practice

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." The concept of silent birth is a mandatory practice in Scientology doctrine. It is based upon the principle that expectant mothers must be provided the utmost care and respect and Hubbard's words: "Everyone must learn to say nothing within the expectant mother's hearing using labor and delivery. Particularly during birth, absolute silence must be maintained and the more gentle the delivery, the better." Silent birth is meant to make the transition to physical separation from the mother less painful for the child. The church does not take a position against using medication during birth or the practice of birth by caesarean section. There have been no attempts to medically or scientifically prove there is a benefit to silent birth,

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." Although a temporary court order allowed them to delay the test, they ultimately lost the lawsuit in 2022.

The "silent birth" became an object of media interest when it was known that outspoken Scientologist actor Tom Cruise, 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."

Around the time of the birth of Cruise and Holmes's child, it was reported in the media that speaking to the infant during the first week of its life was barred by Scientology doctrine. A Church spokesperson termed this "a total fabrication". The Church of Scientology International wrote, "L. Ron Hubbard never wrote that parents should not speak to their child for seven days following birth." The same website also said "[t]he 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." The website also said "[m]others naturally want to give their baby the best possible start in life and thus keep the birth as quiet as possible."