from a family I'm working with. This is the second baby for them, I doula'd their first birth as well. With their first, they knew they were having a girl, but in their birth plan they had, IF it's a boy, we'll circ. I said, have you really looked into that? They said, no not really. I said, I know it's a girl, but for your next one, you should really do some research about it, if you need help finding reliable sources, I have a bunch. I won't cut my sons (didn't have ds yet, was pregnant with him though), you know, my whole nice rant to the parents I take on that say yes to circ. The next version of their birth plan (same baby) said, don't circ.
I have recently started thinking maybe they only put that in there because it wasn't an issue, since they knew they were having a girl and they just wanted me off thier backs.
BUT!! I just got their birth plan for this baby (again they *think* it's a girl, but say they are prepared for a boy, so I don't think the ultrasound was as clear this time) and they have "do not circumcise our son, do not retract our son's foreskin"!!!
Now, as far as I know, I have never heard of foreskins being retracted actaully at the hospital, but who knows about that, but I really think that line speaks to me that they actually researched it at least a little bit to know that part is a threat, don't you think?
I'm so happy, I was seriously spinning in the computer room while dh laughed at me.
This is why I still say I won't automatically reject people who say they might circ. (It's so not about money; I'm doing this birth for free because they can't afford me this time, don't try to tell me it's about the money.) I'm so glad they had me as a doula last time, instead of some doula who didn't bring it up. I'm glad there are doulas out there who don't take them, but I think we need more than one kind of advocate. I have never had a family who circ'ed and I know that some of them would have if I hadn't been a part of it. The hard part will come when a family circs even though i've spoken out against it. I know that will be heartbreaking; maybe after that, I won't be able to take them on anymore. I just don't know.
I have recently started thinking maybe they only put that in there because it wasn't an issue, since they knew they were having a girl and they just wanted me off thier backs.
BUT!! I just got their birth plan for this baby (again they *think* it's a girl, but say they are prepared for a boy, so I don't think the ultrasound was as clear this time) and they have "do not circumcise our son, do not retract our son's foreskin"!!!
Now, as far as I know, I have never heard of foreskins being retracted actaully at the hospital, but who knows about that, but I really think that line speaks to me that they actually researched it at least a little bit to know that part is a threat, don't you think?
I'm so happy, I was seriously spinning in the computer room while dh laughed at me.
This is why I still say I won't automatically reject people who say they might circ. (It's so not about money; I'm doing this birth for free because they can't afford me this time, don't try to tell me it's about the money.) I'm so glad they had me as a doula last time, instead of some doula who didn't bring it up. I'm glad there are doulas out there who don't take them, but I think we need more than one kind of advocate. I have never had a family who circ'ed and I know that some of them would have if I hadn't been a part of it. The hard part will come when a family circs even though i've spoken out against it. I know that will be heartbreaking; maybe after that, I won't be able to take them on anymore. I just don't know.
What a wonderful feeling to know you're doing good. 
Yay! 
