As you may have noticed, I have very strong views about a lot of things (vaccinations, safe sleep, car seat safety, etc.), but I'm just not passionate about this subject. Let's keep it awesome on our board and go eat popcorn on another board's circ thread.
It wasn't even a discussion for us since DH is Jewish. We're just trying to decide if we have the bris in hospital or home. @NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot- The only time we really talked about it his response was "I'm from the Midwest, Its what we do." Uh, ok. But now I see it seems to be a midwest thing after all.
This has been possibly one of the most interesting and awesome discussions we have had. Thank you for all being so wonderful! I loved reading all of your perspectives. I fully support either decision and understand that it can be a deeply personal one. @Kipperoo Thank you so much for finding that chart. I love an interesting chart! I grew up and currently live in the Midwest, so it has always felt very much like the norm was to circ. We will be opting for it again this time. If DH felt differently it would be a discussion, but this particular topic gets to be glossed over in our house.
As a note, we had to delay a couple days last time due to the possibility of DS having low platelets caused by my antibodies. Had he had the issue we would have had to return in a week or two to have it done. Just a heads up that there is a possibility that you may have to return for it if something comes up. We were not present for the procedure by choice (also the norm at our hospital). He was gone and back in a very short amount of time and from my perspective recovering was very quick and issue free. They sent us home with everything we needed to care for it and explained exactly what to do.
I love how civilly this has gone! Had I even said the word circumcision on my FB I would've gotten flamed to hell and back and started a debate for the ages, and that's people I know!
As you may have noticed, I have very strong views about a lot of things (vaccinations, safe sleep, car seat safety, etc.), but I'm just not passionate about this subject. Let's keep it awesome on our board and go eat popcorn on another board's circ thread.
I completely forgot about how the vaccination thread hasn't even been started yet! That one could be a doozy. But I really think we have a great group of open-minded ladies here, I'm super thankful we aren't that crazy board.
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
As you may have noticed, I have very strong views about a lot of things (vaccinations, safe sleep, car seat safety, etc.), but I'm just not passionate about this subject. Let's keep it awesome on our board and go eat popcorn on another board's circ thread.
I completely forgot about how the vaccination thread hasn't even been started yet! That one could be a doozy. But I really think we have a great group of open-minded ladies here, I'm super thankful we aren't that crazy board.
I, too, am so impressed by our board! The good thing about circumcision is that even though its personal and some people consider it controversial, in the end it only affects the parents and child making the decision. I half expect the vaccine thread to be at the least, more of a debate only because the different decisions affect more than just the child in question. I won't lie, I look forward to the vaccination thread, should there be one
We didnt. Neither DH or I felt strongly either way and our doctor recommended against it. It also wasn't covered by insurance so it would have been $300 out of pocket. I didn't think it was worth it. DH showers twice a day because his dad raised him to shower twice a day. He said he'd do the same for our sons and it's really not that hard to keep kids clean, so that aspect of it was a non issue, too.
As for normalcy, I ran a daycare for a while and circumcision rates were pretty much 50/50. And there was a time when it was more like 75/25 with most of the infant boys being uncut. So, also a non issue.
I do heat lots of nurses say that they see children and adults who are uncut with issues, which, yeah. If someone has an infection or issue they will go to a doctor so it makes sense that a doctor or nurse would see these cases when they came in. But it's still not common. So, again, non issue. Some women get yeast infections all the time, but I wouldn't suggest altering everyone's vagina when a lot of women will never get a yeast infection.
Since everything came out a non-issue for us I decided we wouldn't do it. DH was 100% onboard. So we saved $300.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
I've definitely seen a decrease in circumcision rates on the west coast. I thought at first it was a global decease but with the chart maybe it's just a west coast thing. But the west coast tends to have very strong opinions on certain things, circumcision and vaccines come most readily to mind. Progressive I don't think is the correct word; maybe free-spirited?
Hello...lurking from June...I'm due the 1st so sometimes pop over to see what's happening...
anyways, DS is 22 months old and I'll share our experience. I so appreciate how well this thread has been discussed.
@JCWhitey your post was well written and had some good points that anyone wavering should check out.
We decided to circumcise DS, although a few men in my family aren't, DH felt fairly strong he wanted it done for DS. (And DH is cut).
DH went back with him to have it done and I'll just say it was absolutely not what he expected, and DS ended up not having it done. It freaked DH out. Now looking back, and thinking on the research we've done before and after, I'm really happy we didn't have it done. Although there can be sidedness saying the pain is minimal, quick, easy recovery...you have to personally weigh exactly what is being done to their little body. Again, super personal and many many can look past it, but we just couldn't.
As a medical professional myself, I understand the concern of "cleanliness", however, there's really not much to it. Education and helping them check it out as they get older is a pretty simple fact of life. It's not difficult to learn or to clean. Again, I like the analogy of women and yeast infections. They happen, in men and women, but we aren't offering to alter women because they're more prone to infections. It's not necessarily the penis, but the person.
And, as little boys they will experience seeing penis's that are and aren't...that to me is just life. Everyone looks different no matter what they have so who really cares about the "look".
Having DS2 on the way and choosing to not circumcise again. This was just my experience and some of my thoughts.
But seriously, it's no ones business what you do with your child's penis so don't let anyone make you feel one way or the other. Be confident in whatever you decide and be able to reassure yourself you've gathered all the information you need and want to make a educated decision. I personally wish I would have known more about the entire process of a circ. before sending DS1 back for the (failed) attempted. I'm glad I know what I do now, making DS2 circ. decision easier with more confidence.
I think this is a personal decision and neither option is wrong. I also think culture and geographic location play into the parents' decision. It seem to me that most little boys in the south are circumcised, but I definitely see a general movements of parents opting out. DS is circumcised and I have no regrets over our decision. If we have another boy, he will also be circumcised. DH and I haven't talked about it for this baby; however, if we have two sons we wouldn't want them to look different.
Well, the CDC published a statement a couple years ago or so where the conclusion was that the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of having the procedure done, although the benefits were not great enough that it would warrant a blanket recommendation to circumcise. Something else someone mentioned on my past BMB when this issue came up - when guys get old and end up in nursing homes, they often can't keep themselves clean and the nursing staff isn't necessarily doing it for them, either, so infections in that area can become a real problem when not circumcised.
I did circ son 1 and will do the same for son 2. I do struggle with the thought of causing them any extra undue pain, is it worth it, people judging me for what they consider genital mutilation, etc. But DS1 did fine with it, it doesn't appear to cause any long-term issues, and there are some potential health benefits even if they aren't overwhelming.
Married since 8.2.08 DS born 8.11.14 BFP #2: 9.14.16, EDD: 5.24.17
@IvyMagic828 does have a point when they are elderly and in a nursing home. That said, in all the years I did that, the people who thought that "was just ewwwwwwwww" (high schools) and skipped it, never over powered the majority of people who did and prevented infections. I only had one male patient who ended up with a serious infection and they discussed a circumcision, but it was not due to lack of care and was unpreventable.
I'm just getting around to weighing in. I didn't read the responses because we've done this once already and if it's a boy again we'll do it the same way again (no circ).
Anyhow, I went into this thinking we would probably circumcise because that seemed like the healthy thing to do and what everyone did, including DH. I brought it up with him back in 2010 and he said absolutely not. He said it was unnecessary and there was no reason to put our son through something that was unnecessary against his will. He was basically like "it's his decision." (Not that many people want to go through with it as an adult or anything). Well the health guidelines have changed since we were kids and "everyone" has also changed with time, so I was immediately on board with no circumcision.
Re: Circumcision thoughts/experiences?
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot- The only time we really talked about it his response was "I'm from the Midwest, Its what we do." Uh, ok. But now I see it seems to be a midwest thing after all.
As a note, we had to delay a couple days last time due to the possibility of DS having low platelets caused by my antibodies. Had he had the issue we would have had to return in a week or two to have it done. Just a heads up that there is a possibility that you may have to return for it if something comes up. We were not present for the procedure by choice (also the norm at our hospital). He was gone and back in a very short amount of time and from my perspective recovering was very quick and issue free. They sent us home with everything we needed to care for it and explained exactly what to do.
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
But I really think we have a great group of open-minded ladies here, I'm super thankful we aren't that crazy board.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
As for normalcy, I ran a daycare for a while and circumcision rates were pretty much 50/50. And there was a time when it was more like 75/25 with most of the infant boys being uncut. So, also a non issue.
I do heat lots of nurses say that they see children and adults who are uncut with issues, which, yeah. If someone has an infection or issue they will go to a doctor so it makes sense that a doctor or nurse would see these cases when they came in. But it's still not common. So, again, non issue. Some women get yeast infections all the time, but I wouldn't suggest altering everyone's vagina when a lot of women will never get a yeast infection.
Since everything came out a non-issue for us I decided we wouldn't do it. DH was 100% onboard. So we saved $300.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
anyways, DS is 22 months old and I'll share our experience. I so appreciate how well this thread has been discussed.
@JCWhitey your post was well written and had some good points that anyone wavering should check out.
We decided to circumcise DS, although a few men in my family aren't, DH felt fairly strong he wanted it done for DS. (And DH is cut).
DH went back with him to have it done and I'll just say it was absolutely not what he expected, and DS ended up not having it done. It freaked DH out. Now looking back, and thinking on the research we've done before and after, I'm really happy we didn't have it done. Although there can be sidedness saying the pain is minimal, quick, easy recovery...you have to personally weigh exactly what is being done to their little body. Again, super personal and many many can look past it, but we just couldn't.
As a medical professional myself, I understand the concern of "cleanliness", however, there's really not much to it. Education and helping them check it out as they get older is a pretty simple fact of life. It's not difficult to learn or to clean. Again, I like the analogy of women and yeast infections. They happen, in men and women, but we aren't offering to alter women because they're more prone to infections. It's not necessarily the penis, but the person.
And, as little boys they will experience seeing penis's that are and aren't...that to me is just life. Everyone looks different no matter what they have so who really cares about the "look".
Having DS2 on the way and choosing to not circumcise again. This was just my experience and some of my thoughts.
But seriously, it's no ones business what you do with your child's penis so don't let anyone make you feel one way or the other. Be confident in whatever you decide and be able to reassure yourself you've gathered all the information you need and want to make a educated decision. I personally wish I would have known more about the entire process of a circ. before sending DS1 back for the (failed) attempted. I'm glad I know what I do now, making DS2 circ. decision easier with more confidence.
Edit- mobile bumping, words are hard
DH: 29
DS: 18 months 4/2/2015
Baby #2 EDD: 6/1/2017
I did circ son 1 and will do the same for son 2. I do struggle with the thought of causing them any extra undue pain, is it worth it, people judging me for what they consider genital mutilation, etc. But DS1 did fine with it, it doesn't appear to cause any long-term issues, and there are some potential health benefits even if they aren't overwhelming.
DS born 8.11.14
BFP #2: 9.14.16, EDD: 5.24.17
Anyhow, I went into this thinking we would probably circumcise because that seemed like the healthy thing to do and what everyone did, including DH. I brought it up with him back in 2010 and he said absolutely not. He said it was unnecessary and there was no reason to put our son through something that was unnecessary against his will. He was basically like "it's his decision." (Not that many people want to go through with it as an adult or anything). Well the health guidelines have changed since we were kids and "everyone" has also changed with time, so I was immediately on board with no circumcision.