Poll-Will you do circumcision?

DeannaSue84

I saw this on the Ricki Lake show yesterday (yes, I admitted to watching it lol) and it got me thinking if we have a boy.

Will you have it done if you have/are having a boy? If not, why?

[Poll]

DeannaSue84

Yes we will be. Mainly because my husband is and he wants it for our son (if we do have a boy). I won't pretend like I know the pro's and con's since I do not have a penis lol. I do know that I would rather have my son have it done as a small baby where he'll have no memory of it what so ever rather than having it done down the road if he decides to.

Mmm79

I defer to DH on this, and he is against it if we have a boy.  

PinkRoses53

We found out yesterday that we are having a boy, so our hypothetical conversation has become reality.

I was on the fence about it but leaning toward yes since the AAP is now recommending it.  When I brought it up to my husband, he was adamant that we circumcise.  So, we will be circumcising.

dmbrydon

We had it done with DS.  I let DH make the final decision.  I will say that it was the only procedure I watched in nursing school that almost made me faint, but the baby I was watching it on didn't even cry.  I told DH that he would have to see one before he made a decision.  He was a med student at the time and has since seen and even performed many of them.  He still decided he wanted it done on our DS.  DS did cry during the procedure.  I breastfed him afterwards and once he calmed down, he never seemed to be in pain after that.  If this LO is a boy, he will also be circumcised.

Stellarpuppy

DH isn't and he would want DS to not be either.  It's just a matter of being more careful when cleaning and teaching DS how to clean properly when the time comes. 

Abeja1226

Yes we will.  The infection rate is lower, it's easier to clean, and don't judge me on this one but I think it looks MUCH better than an uncircumsized penis.  During my OB clinical rotation I actually got to witness 4 circumcisions and it's really not that bad, the babies hardly cried (if at all) and it's not as traumatic as I thought it was.

Mmm79

Abeja1226:

Yes we will.  The infection rate is lower, it's easier to clean, and don't judge me on this one but I think it looks MUCH better than an uncircumsized penis.  During my OB clinical rotation I actually got to witness 4 circumcisions and it's really not that bad, the babies hardly cried (if at all) and it's not as traumatic as I thought it was.

Just a comment on the physical appearance thing- it really varies from penis to penis.  My DH is not circumsized because when he was born, he wasn't expected to live.  They even baptized him within an hour of birth in case he died.  In the middle of all of this, no one got around to circumsizing him.  Fast forward a few decades...I was with DH for almost a year when we saw something on television about circumsision and I made a comment about it looking weird and DH was like "Um..hon, I'm not circumsized".  I was shocked. I couldn't tell the difference at all -and I had seen it plenty by then  

ETA: DH would DIE is he knew I just told that story  

happy_un-bride

We're haveing a boy, and we both want this.

wittyschaffy

We're team green and I defer to DH on the choice.  He's pro circumcision.  

Anne Mommy

Like many women, I let DH decide since he has more experience with a penis than I do. We talked with a few different pedi before making a decision and they all recommended it. DH and DS are cicrumcised and this LO will more than likely be as well.

BabyRN2006

If our baby is a boy we will be circumcising. I have researched it and there has never been a question in my mind. DH just knows that he wants any boys we have to be circumcised so luckily it is an issue we both agree on.

As far as the actual procedure, I assist with circumcisions very frequently. Some babies cry, some don't. I don't know how other places do it, but if the person assisting is properly comforting the baby they usually don't cry much, if at all. Fortunately it is a quick procedure as well. A lot does depend on the doctor. I am lucky that I know all of the doctors so I know who will NOT be touching my son.

CloudBee

Leaning towards yes, but not completely decided.

caladpi02

I told DH this is up to him. I think he is leaning towards circ. We have not really had any serious discussions yet as we do not know what we are having.

rm2013

It's a definite yes for us, not even a topic of discussion. DH is one of 6 boys, all are circumcised even though most were born at home with a midwife.

lindseybell3

DH is not circumcised, neither is DS and neither will this baby if it's a boy.  DH is from Ireland, and no one circumcises over there.  They think it's weird that most Americans do it.  It's a Jewish tradition so how did we all start doing it?  I've never had to do anything special to clean DS's and the only 'infection' they are more prone to are STD's.  Hello, wear a condom?? Plus they all look the same when erect, and that's pretty much the only time their future partners are going to care about them.  Kind of gross to be thinking about their sex lives, but I know that's an argument that always gets made...

mcooper014

No I absolutely would not do it.  Would you circumsize your daughter?  How is it any different?  Because it is less socially acceptable to do so?  What if you lived somewhere that it was socially acceptable to mutilate your daughers?

 I believe it is mutilation and it should be the babies choice if he wants to do so when he gets older.  My husband is European and is not circumsized and I dont find anything wrong with him.  The funny thing is I am more against it than he is.  I read that it is more pleasurable for men who are uncircumsized but I can't comment on that personally because I obviously don't have one. 

mommajewels87

No, if this baby is a boy, we will not circumcise him. We did circumcise our previous 3 boys solely because I had a petty way of thinking regarding the matter. (They had to be like dad, dontchaknow!? )Thankfully their circumcisions went pretty routine- they suffered no complications and the doctors did a decent job so they've had no issues with tight skin as they've grown. However, in the 4 years since our last boy was born, I've educated myself significantly more regarding the entire subject and my thoughts have changed. I no longer feel like it is my decision to make. If something WERE to go wrong with my newborn because of a solely cosmetic procedure that I consented to do the day of/after his birth, I would be devestated. I just can't take that risk anymore.

And to add my .02 on a few comments that were made in this thread....

-- The AAP is not recommending circumcision. Yes, their stance on the matter has changed, but no where have they said, "we now recommend newborn boys be circumcised." In fact quoted from their very last statement regarding the matter...

Ater a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics found the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks, but the benefits are not great enough to recommend universal newborn circumcision. The AAP policy statement published Monday, August 27, says the final decision should still be left to parents to make in the context of their religious, ethical and cultural beliefs.

Also... the claim that the procedure isn't that "big of deal" is bogus, as well. The foreskin is an ORGAN. You cannot honestly say the removal of an organ is not that big of deal. It comes with both risk (do you know how quick a newborn can bleed to death, or become extremely ill from an infection?) and it comes with pain. Yes, they numb the area with a local (a needle, which is painful.) but discomfort is still felt during the procedure, and especially after the local has wore off. With the birth of my 4th, my 2nd son, my room was unfortunately only a few doors down from the newborn nursery and the area where they did the circumcisions. Every once in a while, I'd hear babies scream hysterically, but never quite put 2 & 2 together until they came & got my sleeping baby... and within a few minutes I hear that blood curdling scream and it clicked with me. Those are babies being circumcised. Specifically, that was my baby screaming out in pain. Prior to this, I too tried to convince myself that the procedure wasn't "that big of deal," .... they will numb my baby and he won't feel a thing. Balogna. Even after the procedure when I'd change his diaper and he would make it obvious he was miserable, I tried to convince myself he was just cranky.

I'm not trying to sway anyone on way or another. I'm neither pro circumcision or anti circumcision. I am pro "make the decision you feel is best for your child." But I really wish people would stop with all the false information.

mcooper014

mommajewels87:

-- The AAP is not recommending circumcision. Yes, their stance on the matter has changed, but no where have they said, "we now recommend newborn boys be circumcised. In fact quoted from their very last statement regarding the matter...

Ater a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics found the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks, but the benefits are not great enough to recommend universal newborn circumcision. The AAP policy statement published Monday, August 27, says the final decision should still be left to parents to make in the context of their religious, ethical and cultural beliefs.

 Thank you for posting this.  I cannot believe how many people are willing to mutilate their babies just because they personally think an uncircumsized penis looks better!  it's insane!  Think about it, you are mutilating your baby for purely cosmetic reasons!  There is no reason your baby boy cannot wash himself to prevent infection.  He was born this way for a reason!  Would you do the same for a baby girl?   Obviously, this topic gets me very upset. 

5dogs

I do not want to, DH does. It is a discussion that ends up with us pissed at each other, so it's good we have 23 more weeks to handle it. DH's minor was human sexuality thus he feels like an expert in the area and it's one of those fights where there has been no movement on either side.

PinkRoses53

mcooper014:

mommajewels87:

-- The AAP is not recommending circumcision. Yes, their stance on the matter has changed, but no where have they said, "we now recommend newborn boys be circumcised. In fact quoted from their very last statement regarding the matter...

Ater a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics found the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks, but the benefits are not great enough to recommend universal newborn circumcision. The AAP policy statement published Monday, August 27, says the final decision should still be left to parents to make in the context of their religious, ethical and cultural beliefs.

 Thank you for posting this.  I cannot believe how many people are willing to mutilate their babies just because they personally think an uncircumsized penis looks better!  it's insane!  Think about it, you are mutilating your baby for purely cosmetic reasons!  There is no reason your baby boy cannot wash himself to prevent infection.  He was born this way for a reason!  Would you do the same for a baby girl?   Obviously, this topic gets me very upset. 

I am one of the people who misstated that the AAP recommends circumsicion.  I stand corrected.  However, I think it is important to point out that the AAP did find that the benefits outweigh the risks.  That is reason enough for my H and I to feel comfortable in our decision.

This is a hugely personal decision and I get why people may feel adamant about one way or the other for their child.  However, I don't see the point in telling people they are mutilating their children by making the personal decision to circumcise. I am circumcising my son and I don't see it as mutilating him at all.  I actually find the statement quite offensive. 

 I think people should worry about what is best for themselves  and their children rather than flaming other for decisions they choose to make.   What is the point of starting a debate on an already hot topic that has been debated numerous times before?

ChevyFam717

If we have a boy we definitely will. DH's is and it would be very confusing for DS if his looked different from his daddy's. Also, it is easier hygienically... sure you can teach your kid how to properly clean himself, but he is so young he won't even remember it.

lightgetsin

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

UnderwaterRhymes

For the record, male circumcision is VERY different from female genital mutilation. The two should never be compared as they have absolutely zero to do with each other. It really pisses me off when people bring what is done in non-sterile conditions to girls around the world to dehumanize and desexualize them into an argument on male circumcision.

There are many valid arguments against male circumcision (as well as for male circumcision), but the fact that FGM is a horrific and brutal procedure that should be outlawed and condemned is not one of them.

wittyschaffy

mcooper014:

 Thank you for posting this.  I cannot believe how many people are willing to mutilate their babies just because they personally think an uncircumsized penis looks better!  it's insane!  Think about it, you are mutilating your baby for purely cosmetic reasons!  There is no reason your baby boy cannot wash himself to prevent infection.  He was born this way for a reason!  Would you do the same for a baby girl?   Obviously, this topic gets me very upset. 

I don't give two hoots what my possible son's penis looks like.  If I "mutilate" him, it will be because the AAP has found that the benefits to circumcision outweigh the risks and because my DH, who's opinion I respect and defer to in this instance not possessing a penis of my own, has decided he thinks it is best.  I respect that you get fired up about this - but to say that people who are not opposed to circumcision - a decision that is a very personal one done after giving it much thought and care- are mutilating their children seems a bit extreme.  

UnderwaterRhymes

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

Another comparison that is totally invalid. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what torture actually involves.

 

smilygrl17

We are Jewish also and that definitely weighs heavily on my decision to want to circumcise, though it isn't the only reason. My DH is against it. I was really hoping we were going to have a girl so that all this could be avoided, but instead the debates will be forthcoming. We are putting it on hold for now and in a few weeks will bring it up again.

lkm2006

Absolutely.

Licia&Wayne

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

We're waterboarding our kid as soon as it comes out. Male or female.

lkm2006

mcooper014:

No I absolutely would not do it.nbsp; Would you circumsize your daughter?nbsp; How is it any different?nbsp; Because it is less sociallynbsp;acceptable to do so?nbsp; What if you lived somewhere that it was socially acceptable to mutilate your daughers?
nbsp;I believe it is mutilation and it should be the babies choice if he wants to do so when he gets older.nbsp; My husband is European and is not circumsized and I dont find anything wrong with him.nbsp; The funny thing is I am more against it than he is.nbsp; I read that it is more pleasurable for men who are uncircumsized but I can't comment on that personally because I obviously don't have one.nbsp;

I absolutely think there isn't a wrong choice for each family, but this is a very silly and in no way true comparison.

Male circumcision CAN prevent infections later in life. It's also MUCH easier done on an infant than an adult, which why may so many people get it done as an infant.

Does every uncircumcised guy get infections? Of course not! This is just a 5 minute procedure that can be done as an infant that basically requires no healing, which is why we will do it. My FIL performs adult circumcisions and I hate hearing the stories because its much harder of them. I also hear too many stories of infections so I would like to help him out by just eliminating that worry!

Like I said, I wouldn't judge another family for making a different decision. Each person have different beliefs and preferences, but comparing circumcision to mutilation is just wrong.

mommajewels87

Licia&Wayne:

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

We're waterboarding our kid as soon as it comes out. Male or female.

I hear it makes their lungs extra strong and they'll become excellent swimmers.

lightgetsin

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

Another comparison that is totally invalid. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what torture actually involves.

 

The little shocked smiley that you added does nothing for your post.

UnderwaterRhymes

tmsgrl:

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

Another comparison that is totally invalid. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what torture actually involves.

 

The little shocked smiley that you added does nothing for your post.

Ah, well then we're even. Your uneducated opinion added nothing to yours.

lightgetsin

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

Another comparison that is totally invalid. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what torture actually involves.

 

The little shocked smiley that you added does nothing for your post.

Ah, well then we're even. Your uneducated opinion added nothing to yours.

I have no idea how you can tell a person who did the opposite of what their religious beliefs tell them to do, uneducated.  Obviously I have done a lot of research and do not just "follow the leader" when it comes to my children.  I beg a lot of the people who post on here to do the same.  Go with your gut.  As a mom, I could never do anything that was not medically necessary to my children.  Even more, I could never allow another human being to inflict pain on my child.    

Lariah14

lindseybell3:

DH is not circumcised, neither is DS and neither will this baby if it's a boy.  DH is from Ireland, and no one circumcises over there.  They think it's weird that most Americans do it.  It's a Jewish tradition so how did we all start doing it?  I've never had to do anything special to clean DS's and the only 'infection' they are more prone to are STD's.  Hello, wear a condom?? Plus they all look the same when erect, and that's pretty much the only time their future partners are going to care about them.  Kind of gross to be thinking about their sex lives, but I know that's an argument that always gets made...

This.

UnderwaterRhymes

tmsgrl - my beef with you is not your decision not to circumcise as I firmly believe male circumcision should be left up to the parents. Your comparison of male circumcision to torture is what is laughable.

lkm2006

tmsgrl:

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

Another comparison that is totally invalid. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what torture actually involves.

 

The little shocked smiley that you added does nothing for your post.

Ah, well then we're even. Your uneducated opinion added nothing to yours.

I have no idea how you can tell a person who did the opposite of what their religious beliefs tell them to do, uneducated.  Obviously I have done a lot of research and do not just "follow the leader" when it comes to my children.  I beg a lot of the people who post on here to do the same.  Go with your gut.  As a mom, I could never do anything that was not medically necessary to my children.  Even more, I could never allow another human being to inflict pain on my child.    

Hope your baby never needs a shot or vaccinations!

I don't think anyone has a problem that your opinion is against circumcision, the torture comment was ridiculous.

lightgetsin

lkm2006:

tmsgrl:

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

UnderwaterRhymes:

tmsgrl:

We are Jewish and we will not circumcise.  We did not circumcise our first son either.  Mainly because we do not believe in torture.

Another comparison that is totally invalid. Perhaps you should educate yourself on what torture actually involves.

 

The little shocked smiley that you added does nothing for your post.

Ah, well then we're even. Your uneducated opinion added nothing to yours.

I have no idea how you can tell a person who did the opposite of what their religious beliefs tell them to do, uneducated.  Obviously I have done a lot of research and do not just "follow the leader" when it comes to my children.  I beg a lot of the people who post on here to do the same.  Go with your gut.  As a mom, I could never do anything that was not medically necessary to my children.  Even more, I could never allow another human being to inflict pain on my child.    

Hope your baby never needs a shot or vaccinations! I don't think anyone has a problem that your opinion is against circumcision, the torture comment was ridiculous.

And so is your immunizations comment.  Not comparable IMO just as torture and circumcision are not in yours.

Licia&Wayne

tmsgrl:

lkm2006:

Hope your baby never needs a shot or vaccinations! I don't think anyone has a problem that your opinion is against circumcision, the torture comment was ridiculous.

And so is your immunizations comment.  Not comparable IMO just as torture and circumcision are not in yours.

I think she was commenting on your, "I could never let someone else inflict pain on my child" statement. Obviously, shots/immunizations cause pain.

lightgetsin

Licia&Wayne:

tmsgrl:

lkm2006:

Hope your baby never needs a shot or vaccinations! I don't think anyone has a problem that your opinion is against circumcision, the torture comment was ridiculous.

And so is your immunizations comment.  Not comparable IMO just as torture and circumcision are not in yours.

I think she was commenting on your, "I could never let someone else inflict pain on my child" statement. Obviously, shots/immunizations cause pain.

Thank you for making that all clear.  IMO vaccinations are medically necessary for my children.  

lkm2006

tmsgrl:

Licia&Wayne:

tmsgrl:

lkm2006:

Hope your baby never needs a shot or vaccinations! I don't think anyone has a problem that your opinion is against circumcision, the torture comment was ridiculous.

And so is your immunizations comment.  Not comparable IMO just as torture and circumcision are not in yours.

I think she was commenting on your, "I could never let someone else inflict pain on my child" statement. Obviously, shots/immunizations cause pain.

Thank you for making that all clear.  IMO vaccinations are medically necessary for my children.  

Yes, that's what I meant.

I realize some people don't see circumcision as necessary and I can totally understand that.

For us, it is a medical step that we do see as necessary and we will do so. I understand not everyone sees that the same, but I get offensive when someone says I'm torturing my child or mutilating him by doing something we see as in his best medical interest.