Holmes: "mute" for a week

Katie Holmes has been banned from speaking to her baby for a week after it is born, it has been reported.

The pregnant actress has agreed not to talk to her new arrival, believed to be a girl, for at least seven days after she has entered the world, in accordance with fiance Tom Cruise's Scientology beliefs.

Katie, who is due to give birth any day, has already promised Tom she will deliver the child in complete silence, and she will also have very little contact afterwards.

A source told Britain's Closer magazine: "Katie respects Tom's dedication to Scientology."

"She is devoted to him and wants to bring up the child the Scientology way."

L. Ron Hubbard - the founder of Scientology - writes in the religion's creed, that all followers must live by, that new born babies must not hear their mother speak for a week so they will not associate their voice with the trauma of birth.

The creed also states that immediately after leaving the safety of the womb the baby should "be wrapped somewhat tightly in a warm blanket, very soft, and then left alone for a day or so" and no medical examinations must take place within the first week of the baby's life.