Birthing the Scientology way: in silence

Thanks to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes anyone who’s ever read a celebrity gossip mag  now knows about giving birth the scientology way. They do it in silence, right?

But when it comes to Scientology births,  that’s about all most of us know. What happens if you scream out by accident? Is it really true that you can’t talk to your newborn for the first seven days of its life?

And why  do you have to keep silent for the birth anyway? We asked a Scientologist mum of two to give us the low down.

Sophie Sheinwald, 38, from Brighton is mum to Ayana, 4, and Jada, 12 weeks. She’s also a Jewish Scientologist and gave birth to both of her girls in silence. ‘I discovered Scientology seven years ago, after  chatting to a couple I met on a train.’

Says Sophie. ‘I’ve always been interested in different spiritual paths so I did my own  research and was impressed. I found Scientology  very practical and useable.’

‘When it comes to giving birth the key term is quiet – rather than silence – especially during contractions and at the point of birth itself.’ Explains Sophie. ‘Of course the mum may breathe heavily and may make other natural spontaneous sounds – grunting etc but the important thing is that there should be no talking.’

‘There is a common misconception that in a Scientology birth the woman can’t scream or shout.’ Says Sophie. ‘That’s not it at all (although personally I never found the need) The issue is about talking. Neither the woman herself, nor anyone else present during labour and birth should speak during the birth.’

But how do you communicate your needs, ask questions, express concerns if you can’t speak?

‘You are allowed to talk in between contractions’ Laughs Sophie. ‘Otherwise it would be ridiculous! The thing is to remain silent  at those times when the baby is experiencing the pain of contractions.’

Underpinning this approach to birth is a philosophy called ‘Dianetics’, developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the Founder of Scientology. This claims that  all stress, worry, self doubt and psychosomatic illnesses in adult life  can be traced back to the  verbalisation of painful experiences in the prenatal or early childhood stage. 

According to Hubbard, the ‘Reactive Mind’ records all perceptions in times of pain and the words spoken during these moments can have very adverse effects on people later in life.

‘The idea of Preventative Dianetics is that if there is speech during contractions then an unconscious link is formed between the pain the baby experiences and the words spoken at the time.’ Explains Sophie.

‘In later life the same words will trigger a recurrence of the pain or anxiety felt during the birth. This is because everything is recorded, even what a baby experiences before it is born.’ 

Sophie continues: ‘Even during pregnancy if you knock your bump  you should avoid verbalising the pain you are feeling. If a baby or child  hurts itself you can  cuddle it till the pain passes  rather than offering words of comfort.

In preparation for labour Sophie did active birth classes with a  teacher who happened to be a Scientologist.  ‘I also hired a doula who was a Scientologist  and she explained things to the midwife.

I had a very young midwife who looked a bit nervous when she was told I was a Scientologist as I don’t think she’d ever attended a silent birth before.’

‘It was all quite simple. I’d use sign language to indicate when a contraction was coming and all those present would fall silent.  Remaining silent felt completely natural.

There was only one time when I felt the urge to talk and that was when the midwife put a monitor on my belly to listen to the baby’s heartbeat in the middle of a contraction. She did not ask permission and  I felt so angry I nearly swore out loud but instead I just whispered to my doula.’

‘I had a really amazing birth experience with Jada.’ Says Sophie. ‘I started experiencing mild contractions about 1.30pm but I thought it was a false alarm. Two hours later contractions were in full force and by 7pm Jada was born, at home, next to our bed. She was a few days early so I didn’t have everything ready.

There weren’t enough plastic sheets and we had to use towels but somehow everything came together.’

So, is it true that Scientologist parents aren’t allowed to speak to or cuddle their baby for the first seven days of it’s life?

‘I’ve never heard this,’ Says Sophie. ‘After giving birth to Jada I was just so elated and in this joyous space where I was hardly able to talk. 

Then  our older daughter came in to see the baby and course we all wanted to talk and introduce her to her sister. With a  four year old in the house it would have been difficult to have remained silent for a week!’

‘I really don’t think  that Scientology states no talking to a child for a week. It’s just another one of those myths created by the media: like the idea that we are supposed to give birth without pain relief – something that is recommended by Scientology but not set down as a law. ‘

‘The fact is that you do your best.’ Says Sophie. ‘I know other Scientologists whose births have not gone according to plan  and there has been talking – but   in the end  so long as your baby is safe and well it doesn’t matter if your baby has to come out of your nose or your ears!  

Having an understanding of Dianetics  means that parents  know about those techniques  which can enable their child to erase the harmful effects of speech during birth.’

‘Scientologist’s simply believe that bringing a baby into the world in a calm and gentle environment is vital to the happiness and health of the child.’ Explains Sophie. ‘Silent birth  means a birth experience that is as quiet and calm as possible—the best thing for the well-being of the mother and baby.’