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Circumcision or not?
What is everyone's take on circumcision? I had my 1st son circumcised cause he was worn in the US and it was offered in the hospital... but I'm having my 2nd son here in Canada and circumcision is no longer offered or even accepted... it's frowned upon and those who wish to have their sons cut my do so in a private clinic at 2 weeks old... and pay 300$... what do you think?
I am not sure what I would do if I ever had a boy but I just want to say that I used to volunteer in the newborn nursery and witnessed quite a few circumcisions (I set things up for the docs and stayed with them in case they needed anything during the procedure). From what I remember they did use a lidocaine gel to numb the area. They also give the baby a bit of sugar water which will give them a little natural "high". It was really no big deal at all (the docs were all very good at it) and took about 2 seconds to do. Some babies cried but others barely made a peep. They also did not poke around with forceps and scissors like they did in that video!
My Dh is Hispanic so they do not believe in snip snip down there! so when we have kids and it is a boy i will choose not to i think it should be the husbands decision personally its his son and they have the same parts as i say! as far as me goes i cannot imagine taking my newborn son home with an "injury" to his area and have to take care of it all i would be thinking is OMG my poor baby he MUST be in pain!! but again like every1 said its a personal decision you have to make the one that best suits you!!
The only time they don't look much different is when they are erect. But, flacid, they look VERY different. As for altering their sex lives as someone else said...yes, it actually makes them less sensitive, making sex more pleasurable for BOTH partners. I've heard men who weren't circumcized talk about their issues with premature ejaculation...some of them opt for circ as an adult just so they can pleasure their partners better. And tbears is right...kids are cruel and I, too, have known adult men who still talk about the teasing they endured in the locker room as teenagers. Anyway...I see good reasons for both points of view. Again...it's a very personal and cultural choice.
Tricia
Tricia
I have seen both and believe me, they DO certainly look different. My husband said that all of the uncircumsided boys in junior and high school were teased to all get out. Cruel boys. Hopefully with the balancing out of both will stop that sort of teasing.
Actually there are SEVERAL major organisations (example: The American Urological Association and the World Health Organization) that DO endorse circumsicion, with several reasons for it. See: www.circinfo.net , which lets you make your own decision, but presents the *facts* and the dates/info from the various medical groups.
Circumsicion is not something new- the Egyptians even practiced it over 4000 years ago. If it was just a "trend" or done solely to look like their daddys, it would've fallen out of favor years ago. There are medical reasons for it as well... cleanliness is just one, reduction in penile cancer, lovering chances of AIDS/HPV, reducing the risk of cervical cancer in their female partners, etc. Ask Andi (on here) about the poor uncirc. males she'd care for in the nursing home which didn't have the hand strength/dexterity to properly retract the foreskin to clean themselves anymore.
Anyway, IMO this is one of those "hot topics" that comes up over and over on Medhelp. If you do a search you'll see *MANY* posts asking the same thing, to circ. or not. People need to make their own decisions and do what they feel is right and not judge others as being bad parents or doing "monstrosities" to their children if they do decide to circumcise their child. To those of us that do circ. our children (and yes, both of my boys are circ'd; and my 3rd son due in May will be too), we do it not just because it's "fashionable", but because we are looking out for our sons' best intrest in the future. Like putting braces on your child's teeth (that too is painful, but has a benefit of a proper bite... or pulling wisdom teeth... etc!). There's usually even an extra cost (beyond insurance coverage) to having the circ.proceedure done.
I didn't watch the above mentioned video, but I can tell you that we were allowed to be with my sons during the circ. proceedure, and it was NOT inhumanely done. They were numbed with an anestetic, they were given a binkie to suck on to keep them calm, and the Plastibell was inserted and done within a minute or two. NEITHER of my sons even cried during it all, nursed just fine afterwards, and never had an infection or issue with the whole thing. Babies have different stimulus reactions to pain in the first few days of life... think about it, they have to have their skull bones compressed to squeeze through your pelvis to be born, they have their umblical cord cut, they have to learn to thermoregulate, breathe and eat... they adapt very well at a young age; that is why the circ. is usually done within the first day or two, and thus the difference between doing it then and an adult.
My advice to you Isabelle, is to do what you feel is right YOURSELF, and not to let others make that decision for you. And, just FYI, I know some say that looking at others' penises isn't a good enough reason, but kids WILL notice the difference, and peer presure is a big deal. (Heck, when I was a kid my parents wouldn't let me shave my legs until I was 16, and I was self conscious even WITH pants on--- which I always wore.) My 2 year old has already looked at his 11 month old brother's "pee-pee"... they share a bath, and of course he sees it.
Circumsicion is not something new- the Egyptians even practiced it over 4000 years ago. If it was just a "trend" or done solely to look like their daddys, it would've fallen out of favor years ago. There are medical reasons for it as well... cleanliness is just one, reduction in penile cancer, lovering chances of AIDS/HPV, reducing the risk of cervical cancer in their female partners, etc. Ask Andi (on here) about the poor uncirc. males she'd care for in the nursing home which didn't have the hand strength/dexterity to properly retract the foreskin to clean themselves anymore.
Anyway, IMO this is one of those "hot topics" that comes up over and over on Medhelp. If you do a search you'll see *MANY* posts asking the same thing, to circ. or not. People need to make their own decisions and do what they feel is right and not judge others as being bad parents or doing "monstrosities" to their children if they do decide to circumcise their child. To those of us that do circ. our children (and yes, both of my boys are circ'd; and my 3rd son due in May will be too), we do it not just because it's "fashionable", but because we are looking out for our sons' best intrest in the future. Like putting braces on your child's teeth (that too is painful, but has a benefit of a proper bite... or pulling wisdom teeth... etc!). There's usually even an extra cost (beyond insurance coverage) to having the circ.proceedure done.
I didn't watch the above mentioned video, but I can tell you that we were allowed to be with my sons during the circ. proceedure, and it was NOT inhumanely done. They were numbed with an anestetic, they were given a binkie to suck on to keep them calm, and the Plastibell was inserted and done within a minute or two. NEITHER of my sons even cried during it all, nursed just fine afterwards, and never had an infection or issue with the whole thing. Babies have different stimulus reactions to pain in the first few days of life... think about it, they have to have their skull bones compressed to squeeze through your pelvis to be born, they have their umblical cord cut, they have to learn to thermoregulate, breathe and eat... they adapt very well at a young age; that is why the circ. is usually done within the first day or two, and thus the difference between doing it then and an adult.
My advice to you Isabelle, is to do what you feel is right YOURSELF, and not to let others make that decision for you. And, just FYI, I know some say that looking at others' penises isn't a good enough reason, but kids WILL notice the difference, and peer presure is a big deal. (Heck, when I was a kid my parents wouldn't let me shave my legs until I was 16, and I was self conscious even WITH pants on--- which I always wore.) My 2 year old has already looked at his 11 month old brother's "pee-pee"... they share a bath, and of course he sees it.
the thing is that when they are not circumsized it doesn't look that different... I don't know my dh is not he is from peru.. and it looks just the same... maybe there is more skin when they are young and as it grows the skin isn't as prominent... who knows...
While I can see men wanting their sons to "look like them" how often will the son be looking at his daddy's penis. There are somethings that happen to people that they should never wish upon their children, this is one of them. If Daddy was burned as a child as a result of a mothers negligence would he then want his son burned to look like him? No! Bad decisions were made in the past and we have the power to make better choices for our children. Sorry I have strong feelings in this subject. I can not fathom why people would even consider this monstrosity.
I am just so happy that I am having girls and don't have to make the decision! My dh said that if we had a boy, when we didn't know gender, that he would for sure have it done. It seems like men have very strong feelings both ways and it typically seems like they want their sons to look like them.
I have mixed feelings on the subject. I hate the idea of any unnecessary procedure. My oldest nephew was not circumsized. He is now 4 1/2 and his Dr. wants it done due to chronic infection problems. Apparantly that is not that common, he is just one of the unlucky ones. I am assuming they will put him right out at his age. So not sure how I feel, as I can see both sides of this issue.
OMG that video sealed it.. never doing that if I have a boy.. OMG did you hear how much that poor baby cried...
People often circ for the what if's.What if he gets an infection and he has to be cut as a teenager. Well, what if. We dont cut our little girls breasts off because she could get cancer. It is unnecessary and I applaud Canada for making you wait two weeks and pay for it. I wish that people would leave this for boys to decide when they are older. I can not think of one man that would sign up for it so why would we do it to them? Would you,given the option, remove your baby's ear. Then why part of his penis.A part I must add that covers the sensitive, nerve filled glands and protects them. Men who have been circumsized lose sensitivity in their penis' and therefore there sex life is altered. Babies are given, at best a burning injection to dull the pain.If an adult needed his foreskin removed he would be knocked out and then given narcotic pain relief, no such relief is offered to babies.Follow this link, watch the video and decide for your self , I could not even watch the whole think it makes me sick.:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1yzx6_birth-as-we-know-it-circumcision_people
I have a two month old and he is not circumsized one becouse his father is not and the pediatrician said that there is really no benefit for him. Also my peditrition and mom showed me how to take care of a uncircumsized penis. And you have to clean it every diaper change. So its up to you but also consider him. And maybe an option for him to decide when he gets older. If he feels like he wants to be circumsized maybe he shoul do it. Just a thoughy :-) becouse you cant bring back the skin they cut off.
I think it's just one of those personal choices. I think there are valid reasons for both having it done and not having it done. I mean, a lot of people say that well, they are born that way for a reason, so leave it...but we are born with wisdom teeth, too, and they usually end up screwing up our other teeth...lol. And we are born with an appendix, which is totally unneccesary. But, I also have a hard time with causing so much pain...because they *don't numb the area and it must be horribly painful. I did have my son circumcized, mainly because the males in my family are all circumcized and I didn't want him to be different. However, because he was born early, I had to wait until he was three weeks (and had grown some) to have it done. I'll never forget those screams, and they wouldn't let me be in the room with him. If I have a boy this time, I will probably decide for the circumcision again because my husband is circumcized and he feels strongly about having it done. But, as I said...it's a personal decision, and there's no "right" or "wrong" choice, IMO.
I don't have a boy but my husband is not circumsized, as well as my 3 nephews. If we are fortunate to have a son one day, we will also chose not to circumsize as well. It was first practiced as a religious belief and then changed into a common medical practice. I personally could not bring myself to inflict unneccessary pain on a newborn. The risks of a possible "what if?" in the future doesn't outway the emotional trauma of permanently altering his body. The purpose of the foreskin is for the protection of the penis head, which is highly sensitive and to aid in sexual satisfaction. God made the male body that way for a reason, so we don't see any need to change it.
I agree that parents need more information on how to care for their sons penis during the early years, and it is also important to teach the child proper preventative care too.
JMO though.
I agree that parents need more information on how to care for their sons penis during the early years, and it is also important to teach the child proper preventative care too.
JMO though.
personally i dont think hospitals show parents of UNcircumsized boys how to properly change and clean them....and if not cleaned properly can cause infections. i would pay the out of pocket and pray that they can numb the area before snipping the skin off. is there any way that you can arrange to have it done sooner than 2 weeks??? if you have one son circumsized i would definately get the other one done even if you do have to wait to do it, that way when he gets older he doesnt ask why his looks so much differant than brothers/fathers, ect.... it can cause someone to be self conscious and have a self esteem issue.
good luck and do what you feel is right....these are only our opinions.
good luck and do what you feel is right....these are only our opinions.
well.. I too have wondered this. I have two boy daycre children both of which are uncircumsized, They have constant redness around their penis and I am constantly putting creme on them. I really don;t know whether its from their parents not changing them frequently( they complain about me using too many diapers) or if its from the circumcision. I have had both of my boys circumsized and would again if I had another.. My oldest actually had to have it re-done at the age of five due to adhesions.. I think it is more common now a days not to do it, although I would continue to have my child circumsized, There is mixed literature out ther but when my oldest went to a pediatric urologist to have it done she indicated there are benefits to having it done and indicated that most boys she sees with recurrent infections actually were uncircusized. Both of her sons were circumsized as well.. just my take..
My first son was done because his dad is an idiot and would not listen to me, and it was the most hell he went through. When I found out I was having a boy with Brayden I immediately chose not to have it done. It is not medically necessary and is actually becoming something parents are choosing not to do anymore. There is (underlines-->) absolutely no reason or benefit to having it done. Look up the information before making a very life changing, unnecessary personal choice for your son.
My son is circumsized, and if I have another boy he will be too. You're in an unfortunate situation, but I would pay whatever the amount was to have him circumsized. I couldn't imagine them having it done at 2weeks, but if that is your only option, I would do it.
i dont think it is right to take that option away....and i know i have had both of my sons circumsized before leaving hospital (here in US) and couldnt imagine them going through it at 2 weeks old....BUT that would be better than going uncut...in my opinion. idk it is entirely up to you.
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