Circumcision. Yikes!

martini-time · January 2010

Talk to me about circumcision. Did you have it done with your son, or do you plan to? In your opinion, what are the pros and cons?

Now that we know we're having a boy, we've been thinking about this a lot more. It breaks my heart to think of hurting my baby, but I also don't want him to feel like he doesn't fit in later, and I'm worried about how it all works with keeping it clean when they're little. Help!

lulumialu · January 2010

I read recently that nearly half of boys in Seattle aren't being circumcised. From Swedish: "And in the United States, circumcision rates have dropped from 90% in 1980 to less than 60% in 1995."

If that helps We don't plan on doing it.

AnnetteWalker · January 2010

We got it done and would again. I had read a study saying that there is a higher rate of STD's and infections in uncircumsised boys/men.

And my very personal opinion is that unccircumsised looks odd to me.

I do believe it is a very personal choice for each parent to make.

misseshoneysett · January 2010

our midwife told us the same thing about there being a ton of men in seattle without it done. we did it for our litle guy. where are you having your baby? our midwife, sharon at evergreen, was able to do it for corbin and since i already had a great relationship with her i felt really comfortable. i was able to stay the entire time and hold his hand and she numbed the area and he sucked on glucose water. i felt bad knowing how bad it must have hurt too. i defintely agree its a very personal decision.

Jessica&Brett · January 2010

This was a hard decision for us as well. I did a lot of research, and found that there were a lot of benefits to doing it - but also a lot of benefits to not doing it.... So, we decided that he should be like his dad so as not to cause any confusion later in life

Hope that helps!

Mrs.State746 · January 2010

We had our son circumcised and if we have another boy we will as well. Ultimately I left it up to DH and he was 100% for it. It was done at the hospital (Everett Women's and Children's pavillion) Before we left, and we took the gauze off 24 hours later and just put Vaseline on it so it didn't stick to the diaper. That's it.

It's a personal decision and I don't believe there is a right or wrong in this one. There are studies proving the benefits on both sides.

LuvBug12683 · January 2010

Mrs.State746:
We had our son circumcised and if we have another boy we will as well. Ultimately I left it up to DH and he was 100% for it. It was done at the hospital (Everett Women's and Children's pavillion) Before we left, and we took the gauze off 24 hours later and just put Vaseline on it so it didn't stick to the diaper. That's it.
It's a personal decision and I don't believe there is a right or wrong in this one. There are studies proving the benefits on both sides.

I agree 100%!

blueLu25 · January 2010

We did a ton of research, but I left it to DH to decide, and DS isnt. There is no extra care when they are little (actually more care while baby is healing if you do get it done) but once they are healed its the same, just soap and water in the bath like every other body part. Kids dont shower in front of each other in school anymore, etc, so I dont know when he would even be comparing to another boy, or noticing. Anyway, we felt it was only cosmetic, so no go.

kaskade · January 2010

This is very personal for each person. DH and I discussed it, and due to the info we read on cleaning, and STD's / HIV, we will have our sons circumsized.

I think this is one of those things you should research and decide based on how you feel, regardless of any peer pressure - because there are pluses and minuses on both sides of the argument.

tfarabians · January 2010

AnnetteWalker:

We got it done and would again. I had read a study saying that there is a higher rate of STD's and infections in uncircumsised boys/men.

And my very personal opinion is that unccircumsised looks odd to me.

I do believe it is a very personal choice for each parent to make.

This and I might add that my fil had to have it done at 50 and its WAY WORSE to have to have done when your older!

keri1013 · January 2010

I'm the same as Leanne (BluLu). DH is, but DS is not. In most other countries circumcision is not the norm, and even here as pp mentioned it is now closer to 50/50 nationally and in some areas, like here, perhaps even more than half are uncircumcised, so we weren't worried about him being the only one. You don't have to do any extra cleaning when they are little, you can wait for the foreskin to retract on its own when they get older.

That being said, I absolutely agree with everyone else that it is a personal decision and you get to choose what is best for your family.

nykola · January 2010

We had DS circumcised for many many reasons, some of which have been stated here already. I agree it is a very personal decision.

As far as anecdotal experience, I will say that DH went in with DS for the procdure and witnessed the whole thing. The midwife who performed it did so with a local anesthesia to numb the area. I wouldn't ever have it done without this.

As far as pain is concerned, I'm pretty sure the quick shot to numb the area is all DS felt. He flinched when she pricked him and after that he didn't make a peep the entire time. Literally slept through the whole procedure. Recovery was a cinch. We used tons of A&D or vaseline on his diapers for abour 3 days to ensure it didn't stick. It healed up beautifully in just a few days.

If we have more boys, we'll definitely do it again.

kimberly.kent · January 2010

This is a very personal decision and everyone will have an opinion and give it to you just like when you first get pg. You have to definately do your research, talk to your Dr, and decide what will be best for you.

That being said, we did not have Carter circumcised. We made this decision when all the hub bub was going on last summer about what the CDC recommends and the studies quoting more STDs and higher instances of HIV/Aids if left natural. However, we talked it over with our Dr and families and came to our decision on our own. My Mother thinks I'm nuts and cruel for not doing it btw.

Anyway, rambling done. We didn't feel it was what was best for Carter. That's the thing you have to think about, what is best for your DS and not what any other outside pressures may say or try to influence you to do. If you make an informed decision, that's better than making one just because of what other people told you.

KNemo · January 2010

keri1013:
I'm the same as Leanne (BluLu). DH is, but DS is not. In most other countries circumcision is not the norm, and even here as pp mentioned it is now closer to 50/50 nationally and in some areas, like here, perhaps even more than half are uncircumcised, so we weren't worried about him being the only one. You don't have to do any extra cleaning when they are little, you can wait for the foreskin to retract on its own when they get older.
That being said, I absolutely agree with everyone else that it is a personal decision and you get to choose what is best for your family.

We also did not circ, even though DH is. You really have to just do your research, and decide on your own.

sdgirl6/7/06 · January 2010

blueLu25:
We did a ton of research, but I left it to DH to decide, and DS isnt. There is no extra care when they are little (actually more care while baby is healing if you do get it done) but once they are healed its the same, just soap and water in the bath like every other body part. Kids dont shower in front of each other in school anymore, etc, so I dont know when he would even be comparing to another boy, or noticing. Anyway, we felt it was only cosmetic, so no go.

Actually, there was no extra care involved when we had Nathan circ'd. The doctor did a peribell circumcision and the plastic ring fell after after a few days. Just regular diaper changes, no vaseline and such.

greenmtbride · January 2010

We agonized over this decision and were really 50-50 on it. I went back and forth trying to decide what DS would want! Personally, I feel that is a cosmetic procedure. Ultimately, we decided that because we did not have a clear preference, we should leave him intact. We are really happy with the decision.

braveangel2 · January 2010

I have a girl, but had we had a boy, the no circ rule would have stood. I found out that there's no medical reason to have it done, and most arguments are "to look like his dad"...but make sure you do your own research.

Seattle_JiLLn · January 2010

braveangel2:
I have a girl, but had we had a boy, the no circ rule would have stood. I found out that there's no medical reason to have it done, and most arguments are "to look like his dad"...but make sure you do your own research.

which isn't an invalid reason to do it IMO...

We did it. I know it's about 50/50, but I have never even seen an uncirc'd one quite honestly - well, now I've seen some babies, but not any men. I don't see it as cruel or anything, and yeah, it probably is mostly cosmetic, but I do read about STD issues. I left it up to DH and he was all for it.

If you do circ your child, you do still have to care for it even after it's healed... the skin can adhere between the head and the shaft - so you do have to make sure you clean it well and keep the little "ledge" there visible/open. My friend's kid's has adhered all the way around - her kids' penis was an "innie" for a long time though too b/c he was a chubster. ANyway, I know some people on this board have had to have little surgeries to unadhere their boys' penises... so you *do* need to care for it. I obsess about it. I dont' want to mess up what will become his prize possession.

Em7.31.04 · January 2010

We had both boys circed. We just kind of knew we were going to have it done if we had boys. I don't honestly feel that strongly about it either way - I know it's a very controversial topic for some, but I just did it and never looked back.

Mrs.State746 · January 2010

Seattle_JiLLn:
braveangel2:
I have a girl, but had we had a boy, the no circ rule would have stood. I found out that there's no medical reason to have it done, and most arguments are "to look like his dad"...but make sure you do your own research.

which isn't an invalid reason to do it IMO...

We did it. I know it's about 50/50, but I have never even seen an uncirc'd one quite honestly - well, now I've seen some babies, but not any men. I don't see it as cruel or anything, and yeah, it probably is mostly cosmetic, but I do read about STD issues. I left it up to DH and he was all for it.

If you do circ your child, you do still have to care for it even after it's healed... the skin can adhere between the head and the shaft - so you do have to make sure you clean it well and keep the little "ledge" there visible/open. My friend's kid's has adhered all the way around - her kids' penis was an "innie" for a long time though too b/c he was a chubster. ANyway, I know some people on this board have had to have little surgeries to unadhere their boys' penises... so you *do* need to care for it. I obsess about it. I dont' want to mess up what will become his prize possession.

I think it also depends on how the Circ was done originally. I asked my Pedi about this at his 9 month appt b/c I was worried since he still has the fat around his penis (Which is totally normal btw) and he looked at me like I was crazy. He checked it and said it looks normal. And he hasn't had any patients with re attached skin. I'm not saying it doesn't happen. But he told me there wasn't any thing I needed to do to make sure the skin didn't grow back.

MrsEditorJax · January 2010

We did it -- my OB circumsized Collin when he was about 10 days old. I left it up to DH, and since he is, he wanted C to be, too. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer; we did what we felt was the best for us and for him.

Seattle_JiLLn · January 2010

It's not skin growing back. It's more like that part sort of sticking to itself.

This explains it better than I can.

https://life.familyeducation.com/baby/medical-diagnosis/40661.html

~Lynchie~ · January 2010

Seattle_JiLLn:

It's not skin growing back. It's more like that part sort of sticking to itself.

This explains it better than I can.

https://life.familyeducation.com/baby/medical-diagnosis/40661.html

This happened to Holden and it sucked... but mostly it was our fault because we didnt know that we were supposed to be peeling it back on a regular basis. Aside from that we wouldnt go back and not do the circ, for no other reason than we just always figured we would have it done, and we will do it with future boys if we have them

LuvBug12683 · January 2010

~Lynchie~:
Seattle_JiLLn:

It's not skin growing back. It's more like that part sort of sticking to itself.

This explains it better than I can.

https://life.familyeducation.com/baby/medical-diagnosis/40661.html

This happened to Holden and it sucked... but mostly it was our fault because we didnt know that we were supposed to be peeling it back on a regular basis. Aside from that we wouldnt go back and not do the circ, for no other reason than we just always figured we would have it done, and we will do it with future boys if we have them

Us too, with Jacob. The Dr noticed it at one of his well baby check ups, kinda freaked me out when he pulled back and there was more pen*s! lol

heather318 · January 2010

DH and I have decided that if we have boys, we'll have it done. Everyone has their reasons, there is no right or wrong. It's totally a personal decision like everyone else has stated.

llking_2984 · January 2010

We had Ryder's done and I reccommend it. My two older stepsons didn't have it done and when they were little it was so hard for them. Not because other people had theirs done but the cleaning process. Remembering to pull the skin back for them was really hard and once they got to a certain age they didn't want DH or I to do it. And when I would have to help they would cry because it got infected or hurt because they weren't use to pulling it back and cleaning.

Ryder had his done at 4 days old and he cried and then the 1st few days after having it, he was sore, but now he is completely fine. It was a little pricey to get it done because our insurance through the state didn't cover it, but I would really reasearch it. Like I said, I don't think it's really a thing about if other boys have it done they will feel weird, I think it's more of a healthiness thing.

CinemaGoddess · January 2010

I have nothing really to add except that I love that this didn't turn into a knockdown-dragout argument. That always happens with this topic on the national boards.

Mrs.State746 · January 2010

cinema_goddess:
I have nothing really to add except that I love that this didn't turn into a knockdown-dragout argument. That always happens with this topic on the national boards.

Totally! The ladies on here respect everyone. That is difference. I PPH you ladies.

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