4 Reasons Why Parents Are Choosing to Forgo Hospital Circumcisions

Choosing whether or not to circumcise your new born is a decision that, in some cases, requires a substantial amount of thought and research. However, once parents decide that they want to have their son circumcised, perhaps their next biggest decision is who to get the procedure done by.

Although it seems as though hospital doctors are the most convenient and viable option, being that most people deliver their babies in hospitals, there are other options as well. One of those options includes soliciting the service of a holistic doctor, or Mohel, which has become a popular option over the past few years. Here are 4 reasons why parents are choosing to forgo hospital circumcisions:

1. Process Takes Longer. On average circumcisions performed by hospital doctors take between 10 and 30 minutes. Although this may not seem like a long time for a surgical procedure, the holistic method tends to be much faster. In fact, most holistic circumcisions, specifically ones performed by Rabbi Mike, only take about 15-30 seconds. This is because of a unique technique that Rabbi Mike uses, that tends to be both quick and thorough.

2. Baby is Under Local Anesthesia. When babies are circumcised by hospital doctors, they are usually given local and general anesthesia as a means to minimize the pain that they will feel. Unfortunately, administering anesthesia to newborns and infants comes with risks, just like any other form of a medical injection. On the other hand, when it comes to holistic circumcisions, the babies are not given any drugs or injections. Even so, the pain is very minimal given the fact that the procedure is so quick.

3. Baby is Restrained. In order to get the baby to remain still during the procedure, hospital doctors typically use arm and leg straps to restrain them. This can often make the newborn even more upset and agitated. The holistic circumcision technique calls for no restraints. If the baby seems restless the parents can help he or she relax and remain still during the procedure.

4. Parents Usually Don’t Get to Witness Procedure. For some people, circumcisions aren’t just a common medical procedure for newborns, but more importantly a ceremonial tradition that is shared with the parents and other members of the family. When circumcisions are performed in the hospital, parents are generally not present during the procedure. With the holistic circumcision process, parents and close family members are not only allowed to witness the procedure, but they are encouraged to be a part. This is why some people opt to have to doctor or Mohel come to their home to perform the circumcision, so that their families can witness the sacred experience.