Have you heard of a silent birth? Is this really a good thing?

You may have heard about the various strange health habits followed by famous actors and actresses in the world. Sometimes these things are also discussed in our country. One such topic that has been discussed all over the world recently is 'Silent Birth'. You may have also seen and heard about this somewhere. So today, let's talk about what this 'Silent Birth' is, what is the story behind it, and what we need to know about it medically.

What exactly is "Silent Birth"?

Simply put, 'Silent Birth' is the practice of maintaining complete silence during the birth of a child, that is, during the labor process, with no one in the room speaking a word. This includes the mother giving birth. This concept is popularized by the religious belief system called 'Scientology'. According to the teachings of their founder, childbirth is a very traumatic experience for the child. They believe that the words heard at that time are imprinted in the child's subconscious and can have a negative psychological impact on the child and the mother in the future.

So because of this belief, they say that no one should talk during childbirth. It's okay for the mother to moan in pain, but it's not good to speak. Also, everyone in the room, including the husband, doctors, nurses, etc., should be silent. Their goal is to deliver the baby into this world in as quiet and calm an environment as possible.

What do doctors say about this?

This is where we need to understand the most important thing. There is no scientific evidence to support the concept of 'Silent Birth'. This is based on religious belief, not medical science.

This is what obstetricians and gynecologists say about this:

Imagine, is a baby in a completely silent environment while in the womb? Not at all. Babies start to hear sounds clearly after a few months.

• Mom's heartbeat
• The sound of blood flowing through the veins
• The sound of digestion
• The voices you hear when your mother talks and when your father talks
• The baby can even hear the dog barking at home.

In fact, the inside of the mother's womb is a place where the noise is like a small factory. So if a baby, who has been used to this kind of noise for months, suddenly comes to a place of complete silence, it can be a frightening and strange experience for the baby, rather than a calming one.

It's true that a noisy, chaotic environment is not good during labor. Maintaining a calm environment is very important. But that doesn't mean not saying a word. For the safety of the mother and baby, the medical team needs to talk to each other and to the mother.

Are there any risks with this method?

Yes, if you follow this method strictly, there can be several serious risks.

1. Loss of communication and threat to security

This is the main and most dangerous risk . Childbirth is an emergency that can occur at any moment. Just think,

• If the baby's heart rate suddenly decreases.
• If the mother has excessive bleeding.
• If the baby is stuck and needs to be referred for an urgent cesarean section.
• If the baby doesn't get enough oxygen.

At times like these, the doctor and nursing staff have to make quick decisions, advise each other, and inform the mother. If this communication is interrupted by a "no talking" rule, both the mother and the baby's lives could be in danger. In an emergency, do you stay silent and treat the baby, or do you speak up and save lives? The answer is obvious, right?

2. Impact on the mother's mental well-being

Childbirth is a physically and mentally challenging time for a woman. Especially for a first-time mother. At that time, you need to talk about your pain, ask, "Am I okay? Is the baby okay?", and hear words of encouragement from your husband or doctor. The mental strength you get from words like "You're doing well" and "Just a little longer" is priceless. Forbidding all this and keeping your mouth shut and enduring the pain is a huge psychological burden on the mother.

3. Damage to the bonding between the child and the mother

Some who believe in 'Silent Birth' also talk about not talking to the baby for the first week after birth. This is very harmful. A baby recognizes its mother's voice as soon as it is born. When a mother talks to her baby, sings lullabies, and whispers loving words, the bond between the two is strengthened. Depriving the baby of that stimulation in those early days will definitely have a negative impact on the child's emotional development.

4. Avoiding essential medical tests

Another teaching of this belief system is that no medical tests should be performed on a newborn baby until the first week after birth. This is a very dangerous and irresponsible practice. There are several tests that must be performed on a newborn baby within the first 24-48 hours and during the first week.

Skipping these tests is like missing the opportunity to diagnose a serious, treatable condition, allowing harm to occur that can affect the child's entire life.

Silent Birth, Childbirth, Pregnancy, Baby's Health, Mother and Child, Medical Advice