Kelly Preston Explains Baby Benjamin's Silent Scientology Birth

By Sarah Crow Posted Jan 19th 2011 01:15PM

Kelly Preston and John Travolta are still celebrating the November birth of their son, Benjamin, and now the proud mom is opening up about how Scientology has influenced both her birthing style and her choices as a parent.

In an interview with 'Today' host Natalie Morales, the actress discusses the "silent birth" technique commonly employed by Scientologists, a practice where "everyone attending the birth should refrain from spoken words as much as possible ... chatty doctors and nurses, shouts to 'PUSH, PUSH' and loud or laughing remarks to 'encourage' are avoided." Preston explains, "Silent birth is basically just no words as much as possible. If you need to moan, if you need to cry out ... of course that's normal. But, it's just bringing them in, in as peaceful and gentle a way as possible."

Preston credits the silent birth technique for the peaceful demeanor of her children, saying, "My kids have always been amazing. Just very calm, very peaceful, happy and I absolutely know it's very much because of that."

Check out Preston's interview inside.

Preston and Travolta, who are parents to daughter Ella, 10, as well as baby Benjamin, tragically lost their 16-year-old son, Jett, in early 2009 after he suffered a fatal seizure while the family was vacationing in the Bahamas.

The actress says that the birth of Benjamin has been an integral part of helping the family through their grief, telling Morales, "It's been wonderfully healing. Of course, you know, we still -- it's still every day. But it's been, I think, a really nice gift for a lot of people throughout the world. We've gotten the most beautiful letters. And the most beautiful notes of happiness."

While Benjamin's birth posed potential risks for both mother and baby due to Preston's age, the 48-year-old actress says that her excitement outweighed her concern. "I didn't [consider this risks]. I just considered that it was difficult," she says. "We're just really happy that we're so fortunate."

Travolta echoed his wife's sentiments in an interview with Hello!, telling the magazine, "For us it's been uplifting ... He's given the house a renewed spirit and purpose."

Comments

(61)

Wednesday 19 January

By kphoto3

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Whackadoodledoo!!!!!

By KR

Guess that explains the birth...now what about her marriage of convenience? Not that it really mtters!

By Chick Pleez

U trippin'...

By jnmjng

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Preston credits the silent birth technique for the peaceful demeanor of her children, saying, "My kids have always been amazing. Just very calm, very peaceful, happy and I absolutely know it's very much because of that."I love reading this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'lessmate.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

Thursday 20 January

By Shiloh13

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I don't know I think I'm just going to "ditto" you!! To close to crazy for me!

By Amy

So is she saying those born with words spoken are not calm,peaceful and happy? I wonder is she even gave birth to this child-I saw no pictures of her during this pregnancy-would not be surprised if a surrogate was used since that seems to be the in thing now with Hollywood parents. I had read Scietologists don't even speak to the child for several days AFTER it is born. How stupid is that? Got to say it-I wonder if their Scietology beliefs didn't contribute to their other son's death since they don't believe in conventional medicine and he died from a seizure and had a history of seizures-I would bet he wasn't on seizure meds.I guess the rest of us are screwed in life because words were spoken when we were born-hmmm-I don't remember the delivery or conversation with it when I was born-do any of us??

By QueenKate

There were at least 2 pictures of her while pregnant attending public events. But, of course, that proves nothing.

By Diane

I've couldn't have said it better. Just to add, how can any parent, being only human, not talk to their newborn child?

By dolores

First of all, I don't agree with or believe in that religion, but I guess, to each his own.
Second, I am a mother with two beautiful boys, both grown up now, and they had no problem with people talking during the birth. They are, thank God, healthy, calm, and very good children, and I am not a Scientoligist!

By Jenni

I saw MANY pictures of her during her pregnancy and it was defitnitely evident she was with child. I know scientology is questionable and I don't understand it either but to each his/her own. Baby Ben is here for a reason, as are all of us. I say congrats to them. Losing their son must have been the worse thing in their lives.

By ms.r

Vote down Vote up Report this

its very possible after all she lost that last one an usally they say wait abit before the next tri. but then again we know how things went before

By Maria

I highly doubt that silent births have anything to do with how calm your kids are! It was terrible what happened to Jett but it makes me wonder if scientology caused his health problems (I'm being sarcastic!) but I think their beliefs are pretty nutty! And I will say it one more time, Travolta, stop dying your fricken hair, you look like an old man trying to look young! LOL!

Gotta agree about the hair-I was looking at the picture thinking who does he look like in that picture-he looks like Wayne Newton!

By You Sexy Mama!

lets just hope he grows up better looking, and not in his brother's shadow...

By spclbm

what is that supposed to mean? better looking than Jett? he was a beautiful autistic boy with deep expressive eyes. his new brother should be so lucky to look like him. obviously you don't have children. the loss of a child is something that no parent ever gets over and no new child could ever replace the one gone. god bless the travoltas. heal as much as you can in whatever way you can.

By Cassandra

How about Religious Tolerance and respect?? Kelly Preston simply addressed the many questions that people had about "silent birth." I respect her for her religious practices. If "silent birth" works for her then that's great! I bet there are many other religious rituals from different religions that one wouldn't understand unless one is a member of that religion. Religion is based on faith and not reasoning, so it's only normal that people of different religions may disagree on something. But we must all learn to live with one another and tolerate each other's religious practices.

Thursday 10 February

By Nancy

I'm just curious....have you ever given birth? This philosophy of theirs IS their choice, but it also my choice to say it's a bunch of bull. The whole philosophy is nothing but a money-sucking cult.

By Trina

You people are so mean and judgemental! Alot of people don't believe in pain meds when you have a baby, some people believe in only at-home births, how are these any different than a "silent birth"? People wanted to know what it was and she was merely explaining it. No one judges you for how you choose to have your children, so why judge this family?

By Dodo

JUST A BUNCH OF WACKOS!!!! SILENT???...SCREAM BABY, SCREAM!!

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

well said casandra! i couldn't agree more.

Page 1 of 4