circumcision?

rosesxo

So I was just wondering what are the pros and cons of circumcision? First boy and don't have a clue my husband is not circumcised and everything looks normal to me...

CivilMommy

This is a very personal topic.

There are new CDC rec's that are PRO-circ:  https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20141202/cdc-endorses-circumcision-for-health-reasons

There are also people who say that the rec's are based on non-developed countries and aren't valid for the US.

We circ.  DH's internist gave us valid points for PRO-circ related to health problems later in life.  My grandfather was not circ'd and he had penis infection and catheter issues in his old age b/c of hygiene issues.

Plenty of people don't and are totally healthy.

There are some minor risks to circ and potential risks if you don't.  You have to do your reading and decide.

Lots of people just do what daddy has as far as yes or no.

mama2blu+new

Definitely do your own research on this. Be careful about all the crap on the internet. Read credible, scientific sources and ignore the crazies. It's a personal decision between parents, and way too heated a topic for an Internet forum.

fiscally3

As everyone said this is a very personal choice, we didn't and won't with our sons, but more for cultural reasons than health reasons.  I agree with everyone else that you should do your research, but keep in mind American cultural standards and that some intactivists can be very loud (as people who didn't circumcise, sometimes I find their passion(?) a little overwhelming.  Personally, I've always looked it similarly to people who pierce their baby's ears.  There's nothing wrong with it, but it's just not my style.  

mooreamanda6213

Google can answer that for you

Scarlettg

Yikes, this is a bit too weighty an issue for a chat forum.  I agree with @mooreamanda6213: google is your friend here.  And so are your OB, pediatrician, and husband.

starshollow

Google and research. This is a very personal decision that you and your H need to come to on your own.

specialsn0wflake

Asking this question almost never goes over well. I advise that you do some research on your own and make the choice based on what's the best choice for your family and not others opinions.

isha12345

well its must in our religion thats why we consider it always...... medically google or a doctor can help.... i had my son circumcised and recovery was fast like in 2-3 days he was completely healed the earlier u do it faster is the healing

knitfastdiewarm

I just came to applaud the PP's and their answers. Good job, team.

canadianttc1st

From my personal experience with ds and him having to have his surgically removed this summer we will be getting this lo circumcised so we don't have to go through it again. A surgery is way to scary to worry about.

ScarletOflaherty

Yeah no, I don't believe in doing cosmetic plastic surgery on the genitals of people unable to give their consent. You want to cut skin off your kid's wang without their permission for dubious reasons, you go right ahead.

My husband is from a country that doesn't do it, and oddly enough, young or old, they don't have the 'complications' you hear of here from not doing it(very, VERY rare). I always say either Europeans have magical, sterile, self-cleaning penises, or Americans are just incapable of learning to use soap, water and condoms. You pick.

clover28

I'll be the broken record here and repeat what others have said: it's a completely personal choice that you and your significant other should decide. My husband and I are both healthcare providers and have decided not to circ, even though my husband and I have both performed multiple circs without judgment or a second thought. It's a cultural thing for us and our child and I can see both sides of the argument. Just do your research and talk about it.

pistachio&blush

FTM and (obviously) First Time taking part in a baby message board group. I had no idea that this was such a heated/passionate and therefore inappropriate topic. I will join those that won't touch the topic.

rosesxo

I wasn't aware that it was a touchy subject but still got some good views. I just hope to make the right choice. Google is overwhelming man people have strong views. But I still got some time to think maybe I can find a book or something. Thanks everyone!

mombod

As a FTM I too feel pretty confused on this topic and the info on the Internet is hard to shift through. My husband and I are going to a newborn care class and this topic is covered. I am told they present only the facts and pros and cons of each side. We plan to use that as a starting point and then additional research as needed. OP if you are attending a similar class, maybe call and see if they touch on this topic?

catlover790

I agree that this is a sensitive subject; however after finding out we are having a boy I searched and found this topic in many other BmBs so I don't think its unheard of to talk about on here.

I've done research and we are still undecided. I think it is a very difficult decision and my H and I are still trying to figure it out. I'd do some research and talk with your H about what he thinks also.

specialsn0wflake

snowbigdeal said:

Wow, I'm surprised by how many people think this is an inappropriate topic. In my mind, it's totally fair game, as long as people are not dogmatic about whether or not you should circumcise. But sharing info and perspectives could be very helpful for people still trying to decide.

But maybe it is naive of me to think that dogmatic replies to a post like this can be avoided?

I wouldn't call it inappropriate per say, but people can get really heated in their opinions on the topic and it would just cause a shit storm.  Just avoiding the topic is easier, and IMO it is all about preference and a decision for you to make for yourself, not based on others opinions. 
Especially since we aren't doctors so any pros or cons we can offer would really just be our own personal feelings.  

ktplusbby

While this is a topic that you absolutely should research on your own to make the final decision, I just thought I'd share something that was brought up to me.. My friend brought up (before we knew that we were having a girl) that maybe LO's should be the same as his dad's.. Only looking towards the fact that if LO sees his dad's he won't feel different because his dad's is the same.. I really have no idea what I would do.. I have not researched to fully back either side of this.. Just another viewpoint.. Looks are by no means everything to go on and I fully believe in doing research for this topic..

picklesx

This can be a very controversial topic but I'm not entirely sure why. As has been said multiple times already, it's totally a personal choice. Some base their decisions on cultural/religious norms, some on what the father's had done or not done, and some just kind of do some research and talk to their pediatrician and make their own decisions.

DS is circumcised, and this LO will be as well. Personally I don't think the "pro" camp is any better than the "con" camp and vice versa. I didn't even know people didn't circumcise their baby boys until I was pregnant with my first. I had always thought it was just what was done.

picklesx

nincompoopery said:

Living in a country where circumcisions are not routinely performed, @ScarletOflaherty pretty much wrote anything that I would have.  For us there's not even a consideration to do it (I don't know if I could find a place nearby that would do it, actually).  TBH my biggest worry is cleaning it, I'm assuming DH and his mom will help me on that front.

DS is circumcised and we still have to "clean out" his penis with every diaper change. The pediatrician said it's normal for baby boys to tend to have a lot of fat around that area and for this reason the penis head looks kind of as if it's retracted, I guess? I don't really know how to explain it. Anyway, we have to push down so it is out all the way and clean the gunk that gets trapped around the head from being retracted. DS HAAAAATES it, and I feel so bad every time I have to do it because he screams and cries. The pediatrician said it isn't hurting him but it is just a weird sensation for him that he clearly doesn't like.

amystan

I didn't realize how big an issue this was. We won't be curcum ozone (this is supposed to say circumscizing but the autocorrect was so funny I had to let it stay) but we don't live in the states and it's the norm here. I do remember the first time I saw an uncircumcised penis and I was freeeeeaked out and had to google
It the next morning. Just sayin'

Sharon&Paul

I work in pediatrics and have never felt the medical evidence was strong enough to convince me to circumcize our boys. (Now with that said we don't have any boys. We are on our fourth girl.)

In my practice I see more uncircumcized boys than circumcized boys, because I work with a large hispanic population. It is definitely cultural. I also have never had a boy have a problem with his uncircumcized penis in my 13 years practicing. I am not saying it does not happen, but it is not that common.

When I was in training the pediatric group I was with stopped doing circumcisions, because they had a fatality. It was not the circ that caused the death, but the baby had a reaction to the topical anesthesia that was used.

xuxachi

This is a very tough choice and even with a lot of research and discussions with the doctors, my DH and I struggled with the decision. In the end we didn't find a compelling reason to do it (for us, since religion/culture weren't a factor), so DS1 is in tact and DS2 will be as well. I just recently saw the CDC recommendation for it, which gave me pause, but we'll still chose not to do it. GL with your decision, there have been some thoughtful comments here.

dana1047

Since I don't have a penis, my DH is taking the lead in this decision. Of course I'll have input.

DH feels that his son's penis should look like his in terms of circumcision. This way there's no lingering "why am I different than dad discussions".

It may be a dumb reason to some but honestly this is such an individual decision anyway.