by Jackie Griggs

I'm a midwife, and I have five sons.  I never thought about circumcision much in the beginning.  Over the years, I've had a lot of experience with circumcision, both as a mother and a midwife, that has changed my perception.  I'd like to share my experience with you.

When my first son was born in 1974, we stayed in the hospital for three days after the birth.  I remember we were anxious to go home on the the third day, but we had to wait until Shay was circumcised. I don't remember anyone asking my permission for the circumcision.  We all just assumed it would be done, and it was. I did not see it done.  Afterward, staff members brought him back to me all wrapped up.  He wasn't crying.  It was more like he was in a state of shock, but he was okay.  Staff members had inserted a Plastibell™ inside his foreskin, and I remember it was a relief for both of us when it came off about a week later.

Luke, my second son, was born ten years later. During that time, I'd gone to nursing school and then worked as a nurse in labor and delivery and the newborn nursery.  I had witnessed many circumcisions, and had cared for many babies who had been circumcised.  I was sure I did not want my baby to have a circumcision, but I still didn't worry too much about it beforehand. 

Again, we stayed in the hospital three days after the birth.  On the second day, my husband and I discussed circumcision.  My husband felt very strongly that our son should be circumcised. He wanted our son to look like him and felt that other boys would ridicule our son if he wasn't circumcised.  My husband didn't think having a circumcision was any big deal.  I felt strongly that I didn't want to put our son through the procedure, but finally I went along with what my husband wanted. I cried when they brought my baby back to me, but he was okay and it was all soon forgotten.