Is it true that some hospitals circumcise the newborn boy without parental permission?

Question

Is this true? That some hospitals automatically circumcise the boy without the parents' permission because they assume that the parents want it done? I'm 7 months pregnant with a boy and I most certainly do not want my boy circumcised. Has this happened to anyone before? I have heard stories and I hope they are just stories.

Answer 1

No they do not.

There would be legal ramifications that no hospital would want to deal with if they were to do so. Just be sure not to sign any documents w/o first reading them over carefully.

Answer 2

Parental consent is required before any circumcision. I never heard of such a thing in recent history but I did hear of this going on 35 plus years ago when our society was likely to sue. In the 1970s, there were a multitude of lawsuits from parents whose child got circumcised without their permission.

Circumcision of a baby always required parental consent but today's doctors would be more fearful of a lawsuit. Anything is possible but it is highly unlikely that your baby will get circumcised without your consent.

Answer 3

That does NOT happen b/c they need parental consent signed on a form before they can do anything. (at least in America)

Just tell your nurse who is helping you through labor that you don't want the baby circumcised, and she will reassure you.

Most Jewish people will NOT have it done at the hospital b/c we want to do it at the bris 8 days later, so doctors do NOT assume that everyone wants it done, don't worry!

Answer 4

I was just as nervous as you were when my son was born about this issue so I made sure to let the medical personnel know we didn't want my son to be circumcised. Needless, to say, it didn't happen. Just make sure you're vocal about your preference. At my hospital, they put a "Do Not Circ" bracelet on his ankle, inquire if this is the procedure at your hospital.

I don't know whether to pity or laugh at moonstoned. Uncircumcised men have problems with erections and keeping erections? God bless the uninformed, unfortunate and ignorant.

Answer 5

Naw I'm almost positive that's not true.
If a hospital circumcised a baby without parental permission, they could get sued big time.

Answer 6

Never heard of that, but if they do, sue, sue, sue.

Around here its done by the O.B. anyways and not only should they know what your preference is before hand, they do it in their office after the newborn is released. Not in the hospital.

Answer 7

No, it would be a violation of patient rights, which by the very fact of the child being unable to 'represent themselves' in a medical decision means that the parent(s) are responsible for making that decision. It's considered a form of surgery, therefore it requires parental consent, period.

Answer 8

I don't think they can legally do that without parental consent... I have never heard about any stories like that and I hope that's not true.

Answer 9

I'm sure it can, and has, happened. Just make your wishes known. Tell the doctors and nurses that you don't wish to have your newborn circ'ed and that you will take legal action if they do so against your wishes. Circumcision is a surgical procedure, and they must have consent to do it. Don't sign, and they can't do it. And if they do, anyway, sue.

Answer 10

NO! They need parental consent. You have to physically sign a paper saying that you want it performed. If you're too worried it might happen anyway, make note of it in your birth plan and/or let your doctor and your sons pediatrican know you don't want it performed.