Hospital Circumcision vs. Mohel Circumcision: A Mother-Baby Nurse and Mohel’s Wife Weighs In

A Surprising Introduction to Hospital Circumcision

When I began my senior internship in nursing school, working full-time on the mother-baby unit of a busy hospital, I expected a pretty calm job. I was excited to cuddle newborns in the nursery, help moms establish breastfeeding, and ensure everyone was in good shape before discharge. What I didn’t expect was to be assisting with infant circumcisions.

As an Orthodox Jew, I was certainly familiar with circumcision. I’d attended dozens of bris milahs in my life. But I had no idea that in the wider American medical system, circumcisions were routinely performed in the hospital within 24–48 hours after birth—and even more surprisingly, often by OB/GYNs.

What a Hospital Circumcision Really Looks Like

The first time I was told to assist with a circumcision, I was confused.
“Circumcision? Here on the mother-baby unit? Who’s doing it?”

I followed the nurse into the small back room adjacent to the newborn nursery, where I got my first look at what a hospital circumcision actually entails.

First, the baby is taken to the back room—without the parents, who are not permitted to be present. The baby is strapped down to a board called a Circumstraint, and lidocaine is injected to numb the area (although not all providers wait the full 20 minutes for it to take effect). The doctor uses a Gomco clamp, which works by crushing the foreskin and cutting off blood supply to minimize bleeding. After waiting approximately 20 minutes with the clamp in place, the doctor uses a scalpel to cut around the clamp, which protects the head of the penis. Then comes the bandaging and post-procedure care. Altogether, the entire process takes close to an hour, after which the baby is returned to the mother.

Who’s Performing These Procedures?

Because of the length of the procedure, I had time to chat with the OB performing it. I expressed my surprise that an OB, rather than a pediatrician, was doing the circumcision. She admitted she found it strange too—this wasn’t something they covered in detail during medical school or residency. OB/GYNs are trained in women’s health and surgery, not in procedures on newborns. She told me she only performed circumcisions sporadically since it was only done by patient request. When I asked why it had to be done so soon after birth, she explained that once the baby leaves the hospital, many insurance providers won’t cover the procedure.

Another time, I observed a resident (a trainee) performing the circumcision. I asked whether the parents knew a resident, not their own doctor, was doing the procedure. I was told that because it’s a teaching hospital, specific consent wasn’t required. That experience left me deeply uneasy about the standard hospital circumcision process.

The Vitamin K Shot Dilemma

Another issue I saw come up again and again was the hospital policy around the vitamin K shot. Many parents came in already knowing they didn’t want their newborn to receive it—whether because of a preference for fewer interventions, concerns about ingredients, or a desire to avoid routine injections in the first hours of life.

What shocked them, and me, was that the hospital refused to perform the circumcision unless the baby received the vitamin K shot. No shot, no circumcision.

I saw firsthand how this put parents in an impossible situation. Some felt so strongly against the shot, but were told they had no alternative if they wanted their son circumcised. In the end, they compromised on their values because circumcision was more important to them, and they didn’t realize there was another option.

Others held their ground, declined the shot, and left the hospital in search of someone who could do the circumcision without forcing their hand.

Today, as the wife of a mohel, I see this play out constantly. My husband gets calls daily from families looking for an alternative. Parents are so relieved to find out that yes—there are providers who will perform circumcision outside of the hospital setting, with respect for the parents’ wishes and values. They don’t have to choose between their principles and their desire for a safe, respectful circumcision for their child.

My Husband Becomes a Mohel

Fast-forward a few years—I got married. One day, my husband surprised me by announcing that he wanted to become a mohel.

“Um… you never mentioned this before. Why would you want to get involved in that?” I asked.

He told me it was something he had always felt passionate about and wanted to pursue. Not one to stand in the way of his dream, I supported him—and as they say, the rest is history.

Witnessing a Bris Milah for the First Time (as a Mohel’s Wife)

When I witnessed the first few bris milahs my husband performed, the difference between what I had seen in the hospital and what I saw at the bris was astonishing.

What took nearly an hour in the hospital was over in just a few minutes. Instead of being strapped down, the baby was gently held on a pillow, surrounded by loving family and friends. Not only were the parents allowed to watch—they were actively involved in this meaningful moment. It was a warm, spiritual experience.

Technical Differences That Matter

I also learned more about the technical differences. Hospital circumcisions typically use the Gomco clamp, which crushes the foreskin and requires time to cut off blood flow to the foreskin. In contrast, most mohels use a Mogen or shield—“mogen” being the Hebrew word for “protect.” This tool shields the glans while allowing for a swift, clean cut without the need for prolonged clamping or cutting off blood flow.

And most importantly, mohels undergo extensive, focused training. By the time they’re performing circumcisions independently, they’ve assisted in and observed hundreds. It’s not a sideline—it’s their area of expertise.

A Meaningful, Safer, More Personal Alternative

The contrast between a hospital circumcision and a bris milah (or even just a home circumcision by a mohel) couldn’t be starker. One is a cold, clinical medical procedure, often done by someone with limited training in the area. The other is a sacred, joyous occasion performed by an expert, in the presence of loved ones, honoring a centuries-old tradition.

Comparison Table: Hospital Circumcision vs. Bris Milah

Written by Mrs. Tova Katz, R.N.

If you would like more information, please feel free to peruse some of my other blogs, like Circumcision – Answering the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.

To schedule a consultation, contact me at The Chicago Mohel today.

📞 Phone: 347-794-6322
📧 Email: thechicagomohel@gmail.com
🌐 Website: thechicagomohel.com