Circumcision

monidanielle · January 2015

I'm sorry if this is an odd/silly topic, but for those of you having a boy, or have previously had a boy, what are your views on circumcision? I know baby boys get it done everyday, but I'm just a tad bit scared. I don't want my LO going through pain, but I also know it's a quick procedure. I've also read that complications can arise, just like with any procedure. I hear all the time that if a boy is left uncircumcised, there can be an increased risk of infection. Sometimes I just feel as though the decision to get circumcised should be left up to the boy himself. What are you guys views? Are you getting your LO circumcised? And do you think it's really necessary for a boy to get circumcised?

louloutte87 · January 2015

I'm pretty sure there was a lengthy discussion (read: debate) on this a few weeks ago.

Personally, I don't want it, as I feel my boy should have the right to decide what happens to his own body, but my husband does. In the UK, it's not a common thing to do and is not offered as standard on the nhs unless for medical reasons.

I'm hoping this will be enough to convince hubs that its unnecessary. We will see!

kaynix21 · January 2015

I don't really have a big opinion either way....I'm sort of letting the hubs take the reins on this one since he probably has a much stronger opinion than I do.

But I did tell him he needs to stay with the little guy for it, that I probably won't be able to handle him being sad. :P

Rosie3rd · January 2015

I don't think it's necessary, but then neither are things like ear piercing. At the end of the day the decision is personal. There are arguments for both sides and it's up to you and your partner to do what you feel comfortable with. I left the choice of what to do with our son to my husband and would have supported his choice either way.

sarahchrismck · January 2015

There's a pretty good discussion on this topic in the link that @mayflowers35 posted.

But long story short - I am having a boy, and we will circumcise.

lysser1218 · January 2015

My boyfriend and I both feel that our son will most definitely be circumcised. He thinks there is nothing wrong with it and it is worth it.

Also my friend who is a nurse and had to take care of the elderly say the men who did not get it done always have infections because at a certain point they don't care for their manhood properly. That is another major reason to me... His future...

MommyOfL&B · January 2015

I don't think its a must for everyone, but for sanitary reasons my son was and so will this baby. I think I might have cried longer about it then my boy did lol.

DomesticAtty · January 2015

My pediatrician said the CDC has just recently recommended it for every boy. The new data, according to them, has proven there is is enough disease preventing benefits to back up this recommendation. Based on this info, we will circumcise our son. (Probably would have before)

crsanchez87 · January 2015

This may be TMI but DH is not circumcised and he really could've gone with either choice but I love my husband and all his parts. We are having a boy and I told my husband that I did not want to get our son cut. He was supposed to be made that way and that's the way we will keep him. With today's availability for cleaniness, I do not believe it will cause an issue in his future.

catmentzer21 · January 2015

I have two boys already. My first was because his father wanted it. My second is not because we did research( different father) and decided against it. I thought the healing process if it was horrible. I cried every time I changed his diaper until it healed. My son who is not never had any problems. I think it is personal choice.

menta84 · January 2015

We are having a boy and will get him circumcised. Our reasons are also based on hygiene and to prevent infections. I think is definitely a personal parents' choice; I wouldn't feel comfortable "leaving the decision" to my son, as if he were to get circumcised as an adult, risks and pain would be so much worse. I feel like if it will be done, it should be done when the baby is born.

cawleyva · January 2015

Both my boys are and they weren't in pain nor did they seem to care with diaper changes while circumcision was healing. Go for it of you are worried how your son will feel because my boys didn't seem to care

obimom · January 2015

I know someone (uncirc) who ripped their foreskin back during sex. Said it was the worst thing he's ever experienced.

We are having a boy, and yes we will. They wont remember what it feels like, if the feel anything.

I feel I should add, the story above is not the reason we decided on it. I felt neutral about it and left it up to DH.

lgsdesigner · January 2015

Yes, I'm having a boy. Yes, he will get it done.

tjurado10 · January 2015

Team green here but I'm going to leave this decision entirely on hubby

JuliaRL · January 2015

my husband had to get a circumcision in his teenaged years. Worst pain ever. So I basically left the decision up to him. he said that he wanted our son to get it, because he didn't want that to happen to him. I'm like... no. not a good reason. Just because you had to have it as a teenager doesn't mean he will!

I basically said to him "Do you want the baby to look like you." and he said "yes" so we're doing it. But typing all that out, it sounds like a more ridiculous reason than the first one! lol.

sml72978 · January 2015

Smegma....
All I gotta say is Smegma...

That's the actual name, yes the medical term, for that bacteria infested gunk that naturally builds up under the foreskin of the uncircumcised penis. My son is circumcised because there is no way I was cleaning that daily or dealing with infections and adhesions from that.
To each his own but for hygiene reasons we chose to circumcise, if this baby was a boy we would do it to him as well.

dj99 · January 2015

We're having a boy and yes he will get circumcised. I will not be in the room to watch.

jessicamaister · January 2015

We're circumcising him

mpiemont · January 2015

Both of my boys are circumcised. There were zero issues with DS1- the hospital he was born at had the pediatricians do it. DS2's was done by one of the OBs in my group (that was the hospital's protocol) and it had to be revised by a urologist when he was 7 months old- in the operating room under anesthesia. It was quick and appeared painless for him, but was a surgical procedure. That being said, if this baby was another boy, I would have him circumcised but I'd request it to be done by a urologist given the complication we had last time.

manacita · January 2015

Just want to chime in as the village hussy (I prefer to think of it as sexually liberated) since my perspective has a little more to add. I had ds circumcised and will have ds2 snipped not just for their sake, but for their future partners' sakes. God bless the men who can keep themselves immaculate down there. You are truly a gift. For the rest of the guys out there, uncircumcised men who are not really really clean can transmit bacteria and whatnot to their partners and give the female ones a lot more uti's than normal. Plus, this isn't a slob thing. This is a no sex while camping, after working out, after a long day in the trades thing. And definitely no sex three to four times in one night without extensive cleaning between events. That one is a definitely a bummer!

So yes, I'll clip the boys.

gabesdrew · January 2015

Just like any procedure, complications can arise but men who haven't had a circumcision are at a much higher risk for penile cancer later in life.

alyson4188 · January 2015

Does a parent go with him in the hospital when it's done??

AliceKC9876 · January 2015

We circumsized our first son, and we will circumsize this son too. I give my husband this decision (mostly because I make a lot of other decisions and wanted him to have this choice), but I like that it's done for hygienic reasons. My husband went with my son for the procedure, and he said it was quick and easy.

nightdreamer98 · January 2015

I'm having girls but before we found out the sex my boyfriend and I agreed to circumcise if we were to have boys.

NanSee3 · January 2015

manacita said:
Just want to chime in as the village hussy (I prefer to think of it as sexually liberated) since my perspective has a little more to add. I had ds circumcised and will have ds2 snipped not just for their sake, but for their future partners' sakes. God bless the men who can keep themselves immaculate down there. You are truly a gift. For the rest of the guys out there, uncircumcised men who are not really really clean can transmit bacteria and whatnot to their partners and give the female ones a lot more uti's than normal. Plus, this isn't a slob thing. This is a no sex while camping, after working out, after a long day in the trades thing. And definitely no sex three to four times in one night without extensive cleaning between events. That one is a definitely a bummer!

So yes, I'll clip the boys.

I never knew THAT (uncircumcision as it relates to sexual hygiene)! So, thank you, Village Hussy (I hope you know I'm kidding!!)

Signed,
Village Prude (annnnd I'm probably not kidding)

rosannewild · January 2015

Circumcision of boys in the US was started in the Victorian era to reduce masterbation. There are really good articles out there that explains the reasons it has persisted here, and is not widely done anywhere else (except in certain cultures ) my husband is European and we will not circumcise. Our choice. You make the best choice for your situation.

swiftrr · January 2015

Having a girl but we would not circumcise if she was a boy. I personally feel that I did not need parts of my labia removed to be able to clean myself and if taught properly then I'm pretty sure my son could clean himself. My partner now is circumcised but I've had exs who weren't. Neither have given me uti or bv. I've never heard of not having sex after work outs or trade or any of those things but interesting. Each to their own though, your baby, your choice:)

blankenbakerh · January 2015

I have 3 sons and they were all circumcised. My DH is and so are the boys. I have friends who have not circumcised their boys. There are valid points on both sides. I think ultimately it's a personal decision you have to make based what you think is best for your child and family.