The term “silent birth” refers to a birthing procedure where speech and unnecessary noise are strictly limited during labor and delivery. This practice goes beyond a preference for a calm environment, establishing a specific protocol for communication among everyone present. This method is rooted in a distinct philosophical framework regarding the psychological well-being of the newborn.
Origin and Core Definition
The practice known as “silent birth” originated with L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology, and is detailed in his 1950 work, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The procedure mandates that everyone attending the birth, including doctors, nurses, and family members, must refrain from speaking as much as possible. This doctrine requires the virtual absence of spoken words from attendants. The goal is to provide the best environment by avoiding loud encouragement or casual conversation. The practice is a religious and philosophical approach tied directly to the doctrines of Scientology.
The Philosophical Rationale for Silence
The requirement for silence is based on the belief that words spoken during a time of pain or unconsciousness can have a detrimental effect on the individual later in life. According to Dianetics, the pain and trauma of childbirth cause the “reactive mind” to record these spoken words. These recordings are referred to as “engrams,” which are mental images or imprints that can later lead to irrational behavior or psychosomatic illnesses. Hubbard asserted that auditory stimuli coupled with the trauma of birth embeds these subconscious recordings. Maintaining absolute silence is intended to safeguard the child’s future mental health by avoiding the creation of these engrams.
Practical Requirements of the Procedure
The implementation of a silent birth requires strict adherence to non-verbal communication by all attendants present in the delivery room. Medical staff must communicate instructions through gestures, written notes, or hushed whispers only when absolutely necessary. This restriction aims to eliminate unnecessary auditory input. Specific instructions often involve avoiding common hospital noises like beeping monitors or loud conversations. While the mother is permitted to make non-verbal sounds of pain, she is expected to avoid speaking during contractions or moments of physical distress.
Medical Consensus on Safety and Communication
Mainstream medicine does not support the practice of mandatory silence during childbirth and cites no scientific evidence for this method. Standard obstetrical guidelines emphasize the necessity of clear, verbal communication between the mother and the medical team. This communication is vital for monitoring the mother’s condition, coaching her through pushing, and conveying urgent information. A mandatory restriction on speech can compromise the safety of both the mother and the infant, particularly if an unexpected emergency arises. Situations like maternal hemorrhage or fetal distress require immediate, coordinated verbal instruction to ensure a rapid and effective medical response. While a calm atmosphere is encouraged for labor, this differs significantly from a procedure that prohibits medically necessary verbal communication.