At the hospital

If you are birthing at a hospital, these tips will help to keep your intact (not circumcised) baby safe from any misinformed healthcare professionals you encounter.

  • Include "DO NOT CIRCUMCISE and DO NOT TOUCH BABY'S PENIS (DO NOT RETRACT-NOT EVEN A LITTLE)" at the top of your printed birth plan.

  • Tape a sign in baby's hospital bed that restates the above (click here to print one).

  • Purchase a "Hospital Pack" of printed information that includes newborn ankle bracelets, or order the bracelets separately.

  • Order one of these FREE "Do Not Circumcise or Retract" newborn ankle bracelets.

  • Complete this form and have it added to your chart.

  • Make sure you or your partner (if you trust them to advocate for your baby) go with your newborn for their hospital bath. Tell the nurse who is going to do the bathing that you do not want your infant’s genitals washed or touched. Or, tell them you would like to give the first bath. Or, tell them you are going to wait until baby goes home to do the first bath (If they look at you funny, you can use it as a chance to educate them: You are being extra cautious to make sure your child's foreskin is not retracted. Forced retraction is painful and can cause medical problems.)

  • If your infant is ever out of your direct care, make sure to inform all caregivers very clearly not to pull back the foreskin, not even a little. Visit the Basic Intact Care page to print simple, poster-style instructions and a more thorough brochure. Get the ankle bands in advance!

  • If your newborn spends time in the NICU, make sure a sign goes in the NICU bed and this ankle bracelet about retraction and circumcision stays on at all times. Find out what times the nurses change shifts (ex. every 12 hours.) Call and talk to your child's nurse at the beginning of each shift to make sure they understand your baby is not to be circumcised or have their foreskin retracted. You may need to explain what retraction is. Visit the Basic Intact Care page to print simple, poster style instructions and a more thorough brochure.

  • Visit our Catheters & Urine Samples page to educate yourself on catheter insertion for intact children (hint: foreskin should not be retracted.)

Hospital Bag Packing List

There are a lot of preparations to make prior to the birth of your baby. While we can't decide for you which nursery color or diaper brand to choose, we can help make packing your hospital or birthing center bag a bit easier with Your Whole Baby's Hospital Bag Packing List. From your birth plan to your baby’s keepsake book, we have included the most popular items as suggested by the thousands of members of Your Whole Baby: A Community for Learning. Our packing list, with clickable checkmarks and a spot to add any additional items, will allow you to cross off one more item from your baby to-do list!  

Birth Plan

Delivering a baby is hard work, but creating a birth plan doesn't have to be difficult. We have put together an editable plan for you to use as a guide when outlining your delivery expectations with your birth team. We have organized it into sections such as About Me, During Labor, Newborn Procedures, and more to help make your preferences and needs very clear.