In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with family physician and circumcision safety innovator Dr. David Tomlinson for a detailed, no-fluff conversation about newborn circumcision in the U.S.

They unpack why this topic can feel so taboo, what most parents aren’t told about risks and complications, and how technique and device choice can significantly impact safety. Dr. Tomlinson also walks through the proposed health benefits often associated with circumcision, including infection and disease risk, and how those claims are supported in research.

The conversation also explores timing, including why circumcision is often done within the first 24 to 48 hours in the U.S., why that differs from other countries, and what considerations come with waiting. HeHe and Dr. Tomlinson discuss pain management options, vitamin K and bleeding risks, aftercare, and what parents should know before making this decision.

This episode isn’t about telling you what to choose. It’s about giving you a fuller picture so you can make a decision that feels informed, intentional, and aligned for your family.

00:00 Circumcision Injury Reality

01:13 Birth Lounge App Overview

04:43 Episode Setup Circumcision Questions

05:55 Meet Dr Tomlinson

09:48 Why Circumcision Feels Taboo

12:16 Safety Risks And Common Devices

14:21 AccuCirc Origin Story

18:26 How Often Injuries Happen

21:11 Long Term Injury Impacts

22:36 Foreskin Function And HIV

24:30 Benefits Evidence And Sexual Function

26:10 Devils Advocate Hygiene Question

27:46 Paraphimosis And Origins

30:50 Guidelines Without Shame

38:07 Why Delay Circumcision

38:47 War History And Early Timing

42:54 Ideal Timing 7 To 14 Days

44:05 Waiting Until Adolescence Tradeoffs

47:08 Beyond 28 Days And Anesthesia

49:04 Anesthesia Timing Risks

49:46 Topical vs Injectable Lidocaine

50:59 Hospital Cost Tradeoffs

52:53 Sponsor Cozy Earth

56:28 Vitamin K and Bleeding Rules

59:27 Oral vs Intramuscular Vitamin K / IM Vitamin K Options

01:04:33 Bleeding Prevention Techniques

01:06:11 Safer Clamp Design Explained

01:13:22 Healing Timeline and Dressing

01:14:20 Aftercare Vaseline and Trapped Penis

01:19:15 Transparency and Follow Up Care

01:22:49 Foreskin Disposal and Donation

01:26:20 How to Connect with SafeCirc

01:29:15 Final Encouragement and Wrap Up

Guest Bio:

Dr. David Tomlinson is a family physician, medical innovator, and international leader in newborn male circumcision care. An Academic All-American from MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he went on to earn his MD at the University of Colorado and complete his Family Medicine training in the U.S. Navy. For over 20 years, he has worked to make newborn circumcision safer worldwide, leading the development of the minimally invasive AccuCirc® device.

As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Brown University, Dr. Tomlinson has advised the World Health Organization, NIH, and Gates Foundation, and created training programs across Africa. He has served as an expert witness in malpractice cases involving circumcision injuries and has dedicated his career to preventing these devastating complications.

A longtime staff physician at South County Hospital, where he was named Physician of the Year, Dr. Tomlinson has also lectured at leading institutions including Mass General, Brigham and Women’s, and Dartmouth. He authored the surgical chapters of the WHO’s global manual on infant circumcision and continues to shape programs for HIV prevention and safer newborn care worldwide.

Connect with Dr. Tomlinson here: www.SafeCirc.com

And Get a 10% discount anytime in 2026, just by mentioning The Birth Lounge Podcast

You can find links to all the research Dr. Tomlinson shared in this document.

You can learn more about the SafeCirc here.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page