The concept of silent birth is an alternative birthing method that emphasizes the complete absence of spoken words during labor and delivery. This practice is founded on the belief that the environment surrounding the mother and newborn should be kept quiet and serene. The primary goal is to ensure a calm transition for the infant by strictly controlling auditory stimuli. This approach mandates a near-total cessation of verbal communication from all attendants, distinguishing it from general efforts to create a peaceful delivery room.
Defining the Practice
A silent birth requires strict adherence to the prohibition of spoken words by everyone present, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and family members. This mandate eliminates all verbal communication from the start of labor until the baby is delivered and immediate post-birth procedures are completed. The practice specifically seeks to avoid unnecessary noise, such as loud conversations, laughter, or common shouts of encouragement typically heard in a traditional delivery setting.
Communication among medical staff and the mother must rely on non-verbal cues, written notes, or gentle gestures to convey instructions. While the mother is not expected to remain completely silent, attendants must avoid any vocalization, even whispering, within her hearing. The requirement is to ensure a quiet environment, focusing on minimizing disruptive auditory input for the mother and the baby. Proponents also advocate for dimmed lighting and the absence of extraneous sounds like television or phone alerts to enhance tranquility.
Ideological Basis and Origin
The practice of silent birth originated with the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology, and is rooted in his 1950 work, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The philosophical foundation is the theory that words spoken during moments of pain or semi-consciousness can cause lasting psychological harm to the mother and newborn. Specifically, sounds or verbal communication experienced during childbirth are believed to be recorded in the baby’s “reactive mind.”
These recorded impressions are called “engrams,” described as painful mental recordings that can later manifest as psychosomatic illnesses or irrational fears. The theory holds that the pain and confusion of birth, combined with words spoken by attendants, are subconsciously stored. If a person hears those same words later in life, the engram may be reactivated, causing an adverse reaction. Maintaining absolute verbal silence during delivery is therefore seen as a protective measure for the child’s future mental well-being.
Medical and Communication Considerations
Conventional medical professionals approach mandated silent birth with caution due to its potential interference with necessary communication. During labor and delivery, verbal commands and rapid instructions are integral to managing routine and emergency situations. Doctors and nurses rely on spoken words to quickly assess the mother’s pain levels, provide immediate feedback on pushing efforts, and coordinate actions among the care team.
In the event of a complication, such as shoulder dystocia or a sudden maternal hemorrhage, seconds count. The inability to verbally coordinate a response can pose a serious risk to the health of the mother and baby. While creating a calm environment is encouraged in modern birthing practices, the requirement for total verbal silence obstructs the timely exchange of information necessary for patient safety. Furthermore, the medical community maintains there is no scientific evidence to support the theory that auditory stimuli during childbirth create lasting psychological trauma or “engrams” in the newborn.