For the mommies of circumcised little boys

elllaf · October 2013

Where we live they don't do circumcisions in the hospital. ..the pedi does it.
We made Henry's appointment for November 1st (2 weeks old)
Dh and I were talking about it last night and I just broke down crying and looking at this sweet perfect little boy. And of course mommy instinct is to make sure that your baby isn't hurt...and here I am letting it happen on purpose!
No I am not trying to turn this into a debate. Dh and I have made up our minds (even though he said I can change my mind no problem)

I was just wondering if anyone would share their experience with it to help put my mind at ease...I want to feel more prepared.

CousinVicki · October 2013

go with your instincts.

tmccord21 · October 2013

I am against. H is strongly for. Unfortunately I have lost this battle. For now.... We'll see what happens when H see's his perfect little ween and if that changes his mind. I totally understand where you are coming from.

jtothenel · October 2013

We circumsized our son a couple of days after I delivered ( he's 3 weeks now) and he was fine. I was the same way as you (feeling guilty) but it really isn't that bad. The procedure took 15 min and he was only grumpy that night. Healing takes 6-10 days and you just put gauze with vasoline on his private when u change his diaper. It heals rather fast. Don't feel guilty about it...

kcs7 · October 2013

We decided to have it done. Very hard to go thru it. We were given option to leave room but I couldn't leave him. He did very well. We comforted him as much as possible and then it was done. They did the plastibell method. I don't know if I would do it again. But it's over and done and it didn't bother him too much.

lefnc82 · October 2013

I left this choice up to DH, and we got our LO circumsized in the hospital. My OB did it using the Plastibell method which I think worked great (granted as FTM I have no comparison). It only took about 10min to be done and with this particular kind there is no bleeding afterwards or special care necessary. I don't think it is that commonly done though. It's basically a little plastic piece that they place on it and it falls off with the skin after about a week (obviously it's a little more technical but that's the basics). LO's is falling off now and it's not causing him any pain or discomfort at all.

Homcrn · October 2013

My LO was circumsized at 2 days old. I am not sure what method was used, but I know it was not the plastibell. To be honest, I was shocked at how red the tip of his penis was when he was brought back. It was so raw looking and I did cry. However, I do know the doctor did a nerve block before doing it so the only pain he had was from the needle stick. When he was brought back he was content and not crying. I had to apply vasoline every diaper change to prevent "sticking" to the diaper. They warned me he may cry with urination at first, but he didnt. It healed quickly and I would do it over again. Good luck momma, I know it is hard. I feel bad when LO has a gas bubble to work through.

CousinVicki · October 2013

KuhaBaby said:

My only thoughts on this is my husband doesn't remember the pain or this happening to him and your baby won't either. Same as the fact that my dog doesn't remember having her tail docked at birth.

did your dog tell you this? #-o

hartsl01 · October 2013

LO was circumcised at 24 hours, DH and I had agreed before he was born that that is what we wanted to do, but, I'm not going to lie, it was still hard when the nurses wheeled him away. I cried the whole time he was gone but the OB came in about 10 minutes later and told me how well he did and how well the surgery went. That definitely helped me calm down. LO was brought back to my room about 20 minutes later (they also did a hearing and bilirubin test at that time) and he was happy and calm as could be. He'll be 2 weeks on Saturday and we've had no problems with it and he is completely healed from it.

Definitely go with your gut instinct on this though, it is a big decision.

amber0529 · October 2013

Brayden had his done at 5 days (the day he was discharged from the NICU). He was upset that night but I'm positive it was from the horrible diaper rash he had when he left the hospital & not his circ. They were using Destin on him. I started using corn starch the next day & he was fine after that.

nbcarlson · October 2013

We had DS circumcised. He barely cried while they were doing it and it seemed just a little cranky that night. After that he's been fine. He had it done last Wednesday and the ring fell off yesterday morning. It was pretty easy to deal with. I think the thoughts leading up to it stressed me out and made it a much bigger deal than it was.

elllaf · October 2013

lefnc82 said:
I left this choice up to DH, and we got our LO circumsized in the hospital. My OB did it using the Plastibell method which I think worked great (granted as FTM I have no comparison). It only took about 10min to be done and with this particular kind there is no bleeding afterwards or special care necessary. I don't think it is that commonly done though. It's basically a little plastic piece that they place on it and it falls off with the skin after about a week (obviously it's a little more technical but that's the basics). LO's is falling off now and it's not causing him any pain or discomfort at all.

This is the way my pedi will do it too actually.
They don't do any pain medincine...just sweeties. ..sugar water? He had some of that at the hospital too because they had to prick him a bunch to do some tests and it seemed to really keep him kind of calm.

@kcs7 why do you think you would change your mind given the chance?

Thanks everyone

bkeane619 · October 2013

we did not do our DS with our first pregnancy. This time with DD I was next to a couple who had their son done. He was crying when the nurse brought him back and it broke mine and my DHs heart and it wasn't even our kid.

allymp13 · October 2013

I don't know that would do it again. When they brought him back he just slept and slept and we almost couldn't rouse him to eat which was not typical.
It almost seemed like he was in some sort of shock.

I felt so much guilt afterwards bc it looked so painful. At our 2 day ped visit the ped was showing us how to care for it and was not gentle with him and said it doesn't hurt him at all. I felt a little bit better about it after that. It healed very quickly and was easy to care for, but like I said not sure I would do it again.

CousinVicki · October 2013

KuhaBaby said:

KuhaBaby said:

My only thoughts on this is my husband doesn't remember the pain or this happening to him and your baby won't either. Same as the fact that my dog doesn't remember having her tail docked at birth.

did your dog tell you this? #-o
I knew that I would get that response!

for the record, i would never dock my dog's tail either, 'breed standard' or not. meh

Jennygirl13 · October 2013

My little Henry had it done in the hospital. The plastic ring fell off within a week and he was healed. Better to do it now than when he is older and it is really painful.

kcs7 · October 2013

I left this choice up to DH, and we got our LO circumsized in the hospital. My OB did it using the Plastibell method which I think worked great (granted as FTM I have no comparison). It only took about 10min to be done and with this particular kind there is no bleeding afterwards or special care necessary. I don't think it is that commonly done though. It's basically a little plastic piece that they place on it and it falls off with the skin after about a week (obviously it's a little more technical but that's the basics). LO's is falling off now and it's not causing him any pain or discomfort at all.
This is the way my pedi will do it too actually. They don't do any pain medincine...just sweeties. ..sugar water? He had some of that at the hospital too because they had to prick him a bunch to do some tests and it seemed to really keep him kind of calm. @kcs7 why do you think you would change your mind given the chance? Thanks everyone

I'm not 100% sure I would change my mind, but I would have been ok with not having it done too. I read more stories and think about it, I would make the same choice. (Dh preferred having it done too) it was just tough for a short time. Plus I'm paranoid unt the ring fell off and I still worry about how itlooks but apparently its fine and normal and doesn't bother him.

sooner1981 · October 2013

We did it on day 2. Baby slept through it--just a local nerve block, so they didn't give him anything to make him sleepy. Newborns are just sleepy by nature and it clearly didn't bother him enough to even wake up and take notice...

It has healed perfectly with no special care needed.

skyeblue2007 · October 2013

We weren't they for the circumcision. They did it before he was discharged from the nicu at 10 days old. He didn't even know anything was done afterwards. It never bothered him.

calibr8te · October 2013

Go with your gut for sure! Since FI is circed we were undecided about whether to do it or not, but when the time came, it broke our hearts to think about doing it. He is perfect just the way he is.

sleepy33 · October 2013

Gah, I am welling up with tears just reading these stories! Stupid hormones. I am so glad we didn't have it done.

HFrizzle · October 2013

MH was for it and I was against it. I won that battle. I refused to have it done. After doing my research, watching videos and talking with our ped, I came to the conclusion that there was no point in it or putting him through that. I'm glad I stuck to my guns on this one.

megframe16 · October 2013

Jared had his done this morning. He is perfectly fine right now. They numb the area which im sure doesnt feel the best but it helps me know they dont feel the rest. My first son had it done and there were no issues. the boys pedcame by specifically to do jareds. Its a personal choice but just reminding you he will be ok! Good luck. Rest easy momma whatever you decide will be just fine for your boy

sweettooth87 · October 2013

I have never been so at peace with a decision. We chose not to circumcise our son. He is perfect just how he was born.

kdjudd · October 2013

Go with your instincts and skip it. There's a reason you are feeling that way.

sbkelley8 · October 2013

We got Braylen circ'd on Sunday the day we were discharged from the hospital. I did feel sad when they wheeled him away because he was so happy and content. My husband and I are very happy with our decision. And the care for it is very similar to what others have said, except I was given Bacitracin to use not vaseline

CarolinaGirl411 · October 2013

I say go with your gut.

Our LO was born on a Wednesday at 2:35 am and had it done that night, we left the hospital the Thursday. H and I agreed on it, so there was no debate like some have dealt with. I don't feel there is a right or wrong in this, but we chose what felt right for us. From what our packet says from the hospital, there are 2 different types of after care and his had a cover over it and that was taken off before we left the hospital. We put A&D ointment on it until cleared by his doctor that everything looked good to discontinue use.

If you're second guessing it, there is probably a reason for that. I understand it's much painful as a guy gets older, but if he is that unhappy about it then at least he does have that decision he can make himself.

jessiedawn921 · October 2013

We did it at the hospital and he didn't cry at all when they brought him back in. There were no bandages or anything to change just put a little A and D ointment on it and he didn't even cry when we touched it to do that. But do what you feel like you need to do. My experience with him having was a great one but not every baby is the same.

Painterlady · October 2013

My son had it done one day after he was born. They also clipped his tongue at the same time because he is tingue tied. Talk about guilt lol. I swear, though, he was fine after they brought him back. Wasn't grumpy in the least.

scamberlous3000 · October 2013

Our little man had his done when he was 13 days old. I almost had a heart attack beforehand, and I was terrified I was going to have a screaming baby once it was over. That was not the case at all! I'm pretty sure I cried more than he did!!!

laurenmdrn16 · October 2013

I have assisted on multiple circs and the worst part for the baby is being undressed and spread eagle. They do not feel the actual procedure (believe me, if they did, I would know!)

You really have to do what is right for you. There is anecdotal, emotional, spiritual, religious, and cosmetic reasons for and against, but not a lot of scientific evidence either way. MH and I made our personal decision, influenced by our gut feelings, my experiences as a RN, and MH's wishes (he is the one with a penis after all)

I hope you are at peace with your decision and congrats on your little boy!

cdbayes · October 2013

DS was circ'd second day at the hospital. We were extra gentle with him that day, but seemed to be fine after that.

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