Circumcision not a debate

tJaffe · February 2016

Again, not looking for a debate.... So keep it to yourself.....

Mom's of little boys who have had a circumcision....

Any advice for a first time mom? Did anyone go with their little guys and see the procedure done? I'm already feeling bad for him, I am aware that his little nerve endings aren't as developed as later in life so it's "less painful" for him to have it done ASAP...

I've read about two different methods, that some insurances only cover it in hospital or out of hospital or not at all...

Thanks!

Parker16772 · February 2016

I didn't go with him. My OB did it on the 2nd day we were in the hospital. He was already in the nursery because his pedi was there for a checkup and they just did it then. They brought him back to me about 30 mins after and he was fine.

smount2011 · February 2016

Thanks for posting this

I'm a stm but a ftm of a baby boy and I've been nervous about his circumcision too.

ClaireBear90 · February 2016

We had it done at the pediatrician's office out of hospital since DS was born out of hospital. I forget how old he was, but it was maybe around 2 weeks old? I was not in the room during the circumcision, but the doctor showed us the room beforehand and explained everything to us. I asked beforehand if I could have a room to nurse DS in as soon as he was done and they were very accommodating. The nurse came right out to get us in waiting room and they gave me an exam room to sit and nurse in for as long as we wanted. DS was very fussy that afternoon, so I spent several hours just sitting outside in the fresh air with him and nursing him whenever he wanted to nurse. By evening, he didn't show any signs of being uncomfortable. We used plenty of vaseline to keep the diapers from sticking and he healed very well.

I was a WRECK. I didn't know what to expect and the mom guilt combined with postpartum hormones was a little overwhelming, so I was very glad DH was with us. I'd say just plan to stay home all day and be a human pacifier for as long as your little one wants.

RobinLovesAdam · February 2016

I had my first DS's done in the hospital, but he was in the NICU for the first two weeks after was born, and honestly I don't how old he was when it was done.He was fussy when they first brought him in, but he calmed after a feeding. I remember it was scary at first to keep clean, but you are already mindful and careful of the belly button. I seem to recall they both healed within a few days of each other.

This time, my OB is actually doing it the next day for us. She said that the pediatricians usually come around in the morning so they would try and time it with their visit.

Sconesy..Cider · February 2016

We wanted DH to be with DS for the circumcision (on Day 2 in the hospital), and the nurse and pediatrician looked at us like they'd never been asked that before. They said it was hospital policy that only essential medical personnel be at that procedure. They used the plastibell method. DS came back soon after and tried to nurse some more (we had problems getting started nursing anyway, but we figured it out).

Maybe when DS was a week old, we thought something was wrong with his healing, so the ped. had us come in. He said everything was fine (sometimes it just looks extra red/swollen/etc.) and that we were right to come in because sometimes the healing might be going awry. It never hurts to be sure things are okay!

parenthood4 · February 2016

We didn't go with him. They gave us the option but our nurse said she didn't recommend it. Not sure if my husband will go this time or not.

I have to say, I was not prepared for how red it looked afterwards. It was hard for me to look at because it looked painful and it was sad

Not saying that to make you feel bad, just to prepare you, because I had no idea! I also didn't know you have to make sure to stretch it out for awhile so it doesn't re attach.

Katherine8908 · February 2016

They did my sons in the nursery the day after he was born and I believe my ob did it but im not sure which method they used they said he didn't cry just fussed a bit and he was sleeping soundly when they brought him back to us it was red but it didnt seem to bother him.
make sure you have Vaseline at home I preferred the one in the tube I found it easier to apply it was easy to take care of and healed quick nurses taught us to cover it in Vaseline and then gause to keep from sticking to the diaper and change at every diaper change. It was not covered by our insurance.

Kath525 · February 2016

Our OB did our son's the day after he was born in the hospital. We didn't go with. We didn't use pacifiers with him in general but let him have one after the procedure to help with the pain, Dr recommended that. He tolerated the procedure well. He was gone for about half an hour and seemed fine when he got back. Wasn't crying or anything at that point. And yeah, make sure you have some Vaseline.

kdrn913 · February 2016

I saw a few circumcisions in nursing school a few years ago. They always did them in the newborn nursery. They give the babies a little bit of sucrose, basically sugar water, or even just dip a pacifier in it. The sucrose actually helps with a pain response in newborns so most don't even cry! I never saw any parents there with the baby but I'm sure you could always ask! The hospitals seemed to be pretty good about teaching you how to care for it after. Most just get cleaned with water and then put a big blob of Vaseline on the circumcision site just so that it doesn't stick to the diaper when your changing! We are team green but if this LO is a boy we will definitely be getting them circumcised!

LuckyCookie80 · February 2016

FTM awaiting DS arrival...this is very helpful. On a side note, a friend told me she had her son's done at the pediatrician's office during the first visit, so within the first week of birth. She did tell me she did not go with him, but he didn't even cry and literally slept through the whole procedure. I can't recall if she indicated the site was numbed but she said it took about 20-30 minutes total. She also advised it healed in like two days.

Melodyags · February 2016

My son had his circumcision done at the hospital by his Pediatrician before we left the hospital. We weren't aloud in when they did it. He didn't seem to be in pain. It did look awful for a few days and was healed rather quickly without complication. Definately will need lots of Vaseline.

cmerribury · February 2016

Insurance coverage will depend on where you live. Where I am it is done by the OB at the Moms first well visit. I did not watch, but they brought him to me immediately after and I nursed him for comfort. Be sure to talk to the doctor about NOT doing a mini circ. That's when they just "take a little off the top" which can result in terrible adhesions (when the incisions heals to the shaft of the penis resulting in a fold). This happened to my son and he had to be re-circumcised at 18 months. It sucked. A lot. Be sure I keep the incision well coated in aquaphor or petroleum jelly to prevent any adhesions. Check often and if you notice any bring him to his pediatrician right away so they can "rip back" and prevent surgery.

mamaroar · February 2016

I am FTM to a boy due the 16th and have struggled with this - mainly because it seems not natural to do something that will "hurt" my little guy! I talked to both my OB and family doctor about this - both recommended we do it, and both put my mind at ease. My OB will do this, and she does sucrose, a nerve block, AND a topical anesthetic. She said that she so rarely sees a baby cry during the procedure that she is completely comfortable with my husband going with our son to have it done (or me, but I know I can't take it. Since his dad feels most strongly about having it done, I told him that he will have to go with our little man - he's not going alone!)

My family doctor said two things to me - 1) that when it's done really soon after birth, it is a matter of days, not weeks till it heals. If done in the hospital by day two, he expects it to be pretty much healed by the 1 week appointment and 2) that he actually thinks the heel stick and hepatitis vaccine is more painful for a newborn - not to scare me more, but to illustrate that I would not refuse either of those things being done just because it might hurt for a few moments.

That my OB said we could both be there for the procedure, to me, said a lot about how not traumatic it probably is.

FutureMrsCaesar · February 2016

We didn't go in with any of our boys, and I nursed them immediately afterward. The first two had this plastic band thing that the Dr placed around the end of the penis after the circumcision (plastibell I think it was called) and it was supposed to help in some way and then fall off after a week or so. That was the only way they did it at the hospital I delivered my first two. For the third the Dr just surgically removed the piece of skin and the recovery was MUCH faster for DS3. You do need to be vigilant about putting vasaline on the penis at diaper changes and once it heals making sure you are pulling it back consistently for at least the first year because it wants to reattach (sad but true!) and the pediatrician pulling it apart at a well visit is NOT pleasant.
In hindsight I really wish I had researched different methods of circumcision because we had literally no problems with DS3s and the first two were kind of a pain for everyone involved...live and learn. In fact I was super excited the one day when I realized we don't have to deal with the circumcision stuff this time around!!

jess9802 · February 2016

DS's was done at two weeks old in the pediatrician's office. We were not present when it was done, but I remember DS was more agitated that we had been kept waiting, he was hungry, and we didn't have a bottle handy (nursing was not going super well). I don't remember there being any issues with caring for it until it healed, and it healed quickly and well. My insurance at the time covered it 100%; our current insurance will cover it 90% after we meet our deductible.

eivaska · February 2016

Our hospital suggested during our tour that you have it done during the last day of your stay. They give a very small dose of Tylenol and said it can make baby sleepy and they don't want you to miss opportunities to work on nursing with their LCs due to a sleepy baby.

2-Step · February 2016

DH went with him the first time, then he didn't want to with the second. I liked that ours was done in the hospital out of our room. Care wasn't too bad, just make sure you check it often for adhesions. We had small ones with DS 1 because I was too scared to touch it.

lightrox · February 2016

My husband was there with both boys my OB did the procedure and they numbed them before they did (numbing is up to the doctor so I would ask if they do it) but it was done the day after they were born. It heals really quick just make sure to keep lots of Vaseline or A&D on it so it doesn't stick to the diaper.

smushi · February 2016

WIth DS1 the pediatrician did the plastibell method two days after birth, and advised us that there was no aftercare needed (we had been prepared for gauze, Vaseline, and pulling it back to keep adhesions from forming). Welp, 8 months later we were getting him in to see the only pediatric urologist in the state to fix the adhesion that had formed. Fun times.

We'll be making sure that pediatrician does not do the procedure for this LO.

After his circumcision, he cried a lot, and refused to nurse at the hospital. He nursed a lot that afternoon/evening when we got home, but we didn't get a wet diaper until 1am the next morning (once we had been in the ER for 4 hours with him and about 10 minutes before the doctor walked in).

flowerintherain · February 2016

Lurking from Feb 2016

My little guy isn't here for another couple weeks, but I was trying to get all the circumcision stuff figured out and in order and omg it was so much more difficult than I anticipated! The hospital I'm delivering at WILL NOT allow the procedure to be done on their premises at all. There's only 2 doctors in a 50 mile radius that will do it. Trying to get the names of these doctors was the biggest pain..nobody wanted to give me any information on who does it and told me that is not recognized as being medically necessary and they don't reccomend it (not that I asked!) ultimately, I was told a general surgeon could do it, but my insurance won't cover a general surgeon. I was finally able to get the name of the Doctor that does it and my insurance covers and they told me that I just need to get a referral from a pediatrician stating that baby doesn't have any cardiology issues. So idk how long all that will take, but yeah I'm thinking the sooner after birth we get it done, the better. Sorry for the long rant. But bottom line is, call around and get it figured out now because you may run into the same problems I did. Or maybe south Texas is just ridiculously anti-circumcision!

meg_2006 · February 2016

What no one prepared me for was taking the bandage OFF after the healing window. I was terrified I was going to rip his "wound" right open. It does not just slide off! You have to soak it in water and Vaseline, then give it a pretty hard tug- harder than you want to. Also, don't forget to pull the skin back every time you change him from then on. I wasn't pulling back the whole way and DS's skin started to re-attach. Whoops! This is what happens when you have the first boy in your family!

smushi · February 2016

meg_2006 said:

What no one prepared me for was taking the bandage OFF after the healing window. I was terrified I was going to rip his "wound" right open. It does not just slide off! You have to soak it in water and Vaseline, then give it a pretty hard tug- harder than you want to. Also, don't forget to pull the skin back every time you change him from then on. I wasn't pulling back the whole way and DS's skin started to re-attach. Whoops! This is what happens when you have the first boy in your family!

Oh lordy, that sounds terrifying. What kind did yours have? With the plastibell method, it really did just fall off on its own.

skruhmin · February 2016

Both of my boys were circumcised, this one will be too. The hospital we were at just took the baby the morning you left and it was done within 10 minutes by the pedi on call. I do not want to see that. Each boy had a different method used for the circ. There wasn't a bandage on it either time, we just really kept clear of that area except for putting vaseline on it. They didn't give us instructions to pull it back at all. It kind of heals at the same rate as the umbilical stump - you really can't bathe them until that has fallen off anyway, so treat the penis healing the same.

tJaffe · February 2016

Thank you for all the advice!! I see my OB today and he's said he does them, so I have my final list of questions about the procedure to ask him!

GraciesMom189 · February 2016

flowerintherain said:

Lurking from Feb 2016

My little guy isn't here for another couple weeks, but I was trying to get all the circumcision stuff figured out and in order and omg it was so much more difficult than I anticipated! The hospital I'm delivering at WILL NOT allow the procedure to be done on their premises at all. There's only 2 doctors in a 50 mile radius that will do it. Trying to get the names of these doctors was the biggest pain..nobody wanted to give me any information on who does it and told me that is not recognized as being medically necessary and they don't reccomend it (not that I asked!) ultimately, I was told a general surgeon could do it, but my insurance won't cover a general surgeon. I was finally able to get the name of the Doctor that does it and my insurance covers and they told me that I just need to get a referral from a pediatrician stating that baby doesn't have any cardiology issues. So idk how long all that will take, but yeah I'm thinking the sooner after birth we get it done, the better. Sorry for the long rant. But bottom line is, call around and get it figured out now because you may run into the same problems I did. Or maybe south Texas is just ridiculously anti-circumcision!

I'm in Beaumont but baby will be born in Galveston. I hope I don't run into this problem. Mind if I ask where you delivered?

mthoomom · February 2016

I stayed with ds #2 when he had his circumcision done. The procedure was not as awful as I had imagined it might be. Not really any blood, and was over pretty quickly. The Dr. injected him with anesthetic, and ds sucked on my finger during the procedure and didn't cry once. That said, I'm not having ds #3 circumcised. However, the procedure itself did not seem like that big of a deal.

flowerintherain · February 2016

@GraciesMom189 I'm delivering in Brownsville, TX. But this issue is everywhere in the RGV. Hopefully it's much easier for you there in Beaumont!

meg_2006 · February 2016

smushi said:

meg_2006 said:

What no one prepared me for was taking the bandage OFF after the healing window. I was terrified I was going to rip his "wound" right open. It does not just slide off! You have to soak it in water and Vaseline, then give it a pretty hard tug- harder than you want to. Also, don't forget to pull the skin back every time you change him from then on. I wasn't pulling back the whole way and DS's skin started to re-attach. Whoops! This is what happens when you have the first boy in your family!

Oh lordy, that sounds terrifying. What kind did yours have? With the plastibell method, it really did just fall off on its own.

It was some kind of hard gauze? Think the hardness of medical tape but the texture of gauze. I wish it just fell off! No doctors in the area must use that method because everybody I talked to had the same issue afterwards. Small town problems

GraciesMom189 · February 2016

Did we determine the preferable method? Is it plastibell?

GraciesMom189 · February 2016

flowerintherain said:

@GraciesMom189 I'm delivering in Brownsville, TX. But this issue is everywhere in the RGV. Hopefully it's much easier for you there in Beaumont!

Oh that's very south! Good luck this time around!

FutureMrsCaesar · February 2016

GraciesMom189 said:

Did we determine the preferable method? Is it plastibell?

No!! This was awful for us! My third just had the skin removed and it healed much much quicker and stayed dstarched whereas my 2 with the plastibel kept reattaching. I'm not sure what the poster talking about having difficulty removing the bandage had happen because we never really had bandages. Just a loose piece of gauze over the tip of the penis for the first diaper change maybe but it was well lubed with Vaseline and he peed it off I guess because I never had to 'remove' it.

ClaireBear90 · February 2016

FutureMrsCaesar said:

GraciesMom189 said:

Did we determine the preferable method? Is it plastibell?

No!! This was awful for us! My third just had the skin removed and it healed much much quicker and stayed dstarched whereas my 2 with the plastibel kept reattaching. I'm not sure what the poster talking about having difficulty removing the bandage had happen because we never really had bandages. Just a loose piece of gauze over the tip of the penis for the first diaper change maybe but it was well lubed with Vaseline and he peed it off I guess because I never had to 'remove' it.

I'm trying to remember exactly what the pediatrician said he used for DS. It was not the plastibell. Whatever it was, it was designed to come off/dissolve all on its own and was gone completely within 24 hours. Never had any issues with sticking or with reattaching.

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