KATIE HOLMES - HOLMES GEARING UP FOR SILENT BIRTH

Mum-to-be KATIE HOLMES is gearing up for the silent birth of her first child after Scientologists were spotted carrying signs into her home, reminding her to keep quiet during labour. The BATMAN BEGINS actress, 26, is awaiting the arrival of her baby with fiance TOM CRUISE any day now at their Beverly Hills, California mansion. Since she began dating Cruise last April (05), Holmes has abandoned her Catholic beliefs to become a Scientologist like Cruise. Late Scientology creator L RON HUBBARD urged mothers to keep as quiet as possible during labour so they do not traumatise the child. On Monday (27MAR06), huge placards saying, "Be silent and make all physical movements slow and understandable," were carried into the couple's home, to be displayed around the house to remind Holmes to deal with the extreme pain of childbirth quietly. Last year (05), Cruise attempted to appease outraged critics of the bizarre birthing method, insisting Holmes can make a little noise. He said, "There have been misinterpretations that the woman can't make any noise, and that's just not true. It's nutty. No, but just calm and quiet. I want Katie to be as comfortable as possible."