circumcision-to snip or not?

[MyBabysMomma]

I'm having a baby boy, and I'm due in a few days, and I still haven't totally made up my mind on this one. Yes, I've read a bunch of articles, some for it, some against it, some informational, everything. My husband said he doesn't really care either way (he was circumcised when he was 13, it was a cultural thing). SO it comes down to what I want. And I have no idea. I know its considered surgury, and can be painful, so a lot of moms think its mean and unecessary (to that I say, birth is painful too, and is he gonna remember? no). But, then again, there are health issues both ways, chances for infection and adhesions if you get it done, a higher risk of STDs, penis cancer and UTIs if you don't (I told you I read up on this). And then it comes down to care, after the surgury, or not, cause you gotta clean it either way. So, yeah. Thats my delema. I don't want to cause him any pain, but I know that he's not going to remember it years from now in some therapy session (I had this same therory for my daughter, and so far theres nothing wrong with her). But then again, I don't want him to feel wierd when he's older and his penis looks different (I know I freaked out the fist time I saw an uncircumcised penis, and probably caused some self esteem issue to that poor guy.) I know there are a lot of women who are strong minded either way (I think they are in league with the breast  vs. bottle women), and I don't want to start a debate (for those of you now wondering, I'm doin both, breast when I feed and bottle [with formula] for dad and everyone else -haha, best of both worlds!). And seeing that I only have a few days left ( I procrastinate. ALOT), I need some help Thanks!

[momofne]

Feb. 27, 2007 at 11:38 AM I personally went with the decision to circumcise both my boys. I felt it was in general better for them because of health issues (able to keep it clean) and I was also concerned with the appearance (not for me but for them.. I also didn't want them to feel different). I would definitely talk to your doctor and find out if he will be doing it or someone else and make sure they are capable. In other words they are reliable have had no problems in the past.

[daedel2006]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 8:48 AM I got my sons done. It is very simple and honestly he only cried for about a minute. It isn't really that hard to keep it cleaned with vasaline on it, so infections are very low if you take care of it and it is all better in like a week. The baby won't remember it and if you wait it will be even worse. What if he comes to you when he is 13 and he wants to get it done b/c he looks different? It is going to cost more and be more painful to him. So, I say get it done now. Let us know what you finally decide.

[MamaNaeole]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 9:03 AM I am the mother of a son, and I had him circumcised.  It was both a personal as well as religious decision, but I am glad I did it, especially regarding all of the recent information regarding sexual health and circumcisions.  The procedure takes only a few minutes,  20 minutes total from prep to finish, and your son will be back with you in an hour.  It's not something he'll remember, EVER, and it's honestly something you won't remember 2 weeks after you come home.  Just listen to the doctor when they explain the procedure and pay close attention when they explain how to take care of it afterwards.

[CrunchyEdges]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 12:26 PM

It's an unecessary cosmetic surgery that carries many, many risks- more than you would think.  Research it big time- and if you can get your hands on to a consent form first, read that, because you're signing off on all of the things that could happen and saying that you're ok with that chance. 

 Circumcising is false security when it comes to the STDs, if you were to do it for this reason.  If you bring up your son with respect for himself and his sexuality, and teach him to protect himself, you won't have to worry.  A circumcised man that's a he-whore is just as likely to get one. 

 I did not circ my son, and I live in a conservative, Midwest state.  It's happening less and less, and it won't be long until the uncirc'd are the majority.

[triptothezoo]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 1:07 PM

Absolutely not.  Both of my children are intact.

It is SO SO easy to care for, and you don't have to deal with an open wound.  You shoud absolutely never retract an intact penis to clean it.  SO that means you would simply clean it like any other part of the body or a finger specifically.

Actually many of the studies you refer to were not done properly.

For instance the one on UTI.  The circ grouped of boys were all full term babies.  However, most of the  intact babies were neonates (preemies).   Of course preemies have more complications.  That's common sense right?  The statistically higher number for UTI dimishes almost completely by one year of age, except for one group-GIRLS!  We (US medicine) treat girls UTI's with antibiotics and that's what you would do for a boy too.  No need to circ for that reason.

 Now onto the subject of penile cancer.  Even Dr.s agree that that is no reason to circ because penile cancer is so low anyway that the statistical numbers are negligible.

 The rate of circ to intact in this county is now at approximately 60% circ and 40% intact (actually that study was a couple of years ago), and that number is falling fast!

Obviously I hope you choose to leave your sweet babe intact!   Good luck in your decision,

[Myantek]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 1:38 PM

Both my boys are intact and it's so much easier to keep clean.  It's just a quick wipe and go by the time you have to worry about retracting the foreskin they should be bathing themselves.  As triptothezoo said the percentage it's really getting close in numbers between circ'd and intact so he really shouldn't look that different.

It's not just surgery, it's classed as cosmetic surgery (at least here in Canada).  The foreskin has a use and a purpose and I've never really understood why you'd have it removed because something mightgo wrong later.  I mean we don't have a routine surgery to remove tonsils or appendixes because they might flare up later, why do it to the foreskin?

[Cymbeline]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 1:53 PM

Please read this

http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read.php?post_id=39092

Not only does it show circumcision myths, but there is a wide variety of informative links at the bottom for every question.

They don't remember, but the scars remind them.Some men are MAD that a part of them was removed without permission. It isn't just skin. Research before your child undergoes ANY surgery.

Babies are very capable of feeling pain. They are tactile creatures as infants.That's why the feeling of skin soothes them.It's not just a snip. If you read my journal, you'll know :)

Good luck with your baby boy :)

[Numnas]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 2:29 PM

I would never, ever have this done to my son/s.  It is a cosmetic surgery on his body, and should not be my choice to make. 

We are all(male and female) intact in this family and have had no problems.

[Jonesin]

Mar. 1, 2007 at 4:50 PM

My 4yr old son is intact.  He has not had any infections.  I never retracted his penis, he retracted it himself last year and now I just have him pull it back when he's in the tub.  His penis is not hard to keep clean.  I had a much harder time when my daughter was in diapers and I didn't circumcise her either.

I would never consider removing a healthy piece of my child's skin for nothing other than cosmetic reasons.  It does not improve their overall health, it does not look better and as for STDs, I would rather educate my child on how NOT to get one than perform surgery on them when they're newborns not capable of sexual activity.  If my son decides to have his penis circ'd when he is older I'll be fine with that because it is his body, not mine. 

[Emaline142]

Mar. 2, 2007 at 12:57 PM

Another one in the left my son intact club.  I wanted to circumcise and my husband (who is circucmcised is against it). I took to the internet to find information to try and change his mind but ended up changing my own.  Funny how those things work sometimes

We've never had a problem. Cleaning is super easy (did I just say super? dear gawds), just wash and go.  Much of the myth regarding how hard they are to take care of is based on naccurate information that the doctors used to give out regarding intact penises.  Unfornuately  that has caused problems for many men later in life.  It is really just in the past 10 years or so that US doctors have admitted their error and are now giving the correct information. Really it is very easy. Leave the penis alone LOL.  Can't get much easier then that

I also have to add two things:

1. I really am glad that we made the decision we did.  My husband used to work with a woman whose son had a botched circumcision (he was just a few months older then my son).  The conversations we had with her, which she started, they broke my heart.  It is very rare for something to go wrong during a circumcision, so I am not trying to scare you but again it is very rare for things to go wrong with an intact penis.  

2.  I started out this "journey" being unsure of myself and whether or not this was the right thing to do and after watching a circumcision video, it completely solidified my position that I could not do that to my son.  I've come the position now that I believe that my sons penis belongs to him and he should make all choices regarding it, just as I'm afford as a woman, the right to make all the decision regarding my body. I think he deserves those same rights.  If at the age of 14 he comes up and says he wants to be circumcised, I will give him all the information on everything and let him make his own choice, as it is his body. I would hope that he would wait until he was 18 to get it done but if he really wanted it done earlier, then yes I would.

 Good luck to you. I've been on both sides of this issue and it is not an easy one.