soon to have a new born son....should we have him circumcised? I am myself, but don't think that ought to come

Answer 1

Trust me on this one, yes by all means circumcise your son. I am a nurse and the problems that your son will have without being circumcised is insurmountable and not to mention painful. He will pick up any little virus under that skin, just from swimming in public pools etc. He probably could get by without the procedure but he would have too maintain a level of sanitary cleanliness so as not to pick up these little itches. Save yourself some heartache and get it done. If your son decides to do it later it would probably be very painful for him.

Answer 2

There are many factors to consider:

Circumcisions can go wrong. It's pretty rare these days, but it happens. Sometimes it's as light as the penis is slightly off somehow, just from the healing process. Some can be worse. But don't let that scare you out of having one done.

Circumcisions are done for more religions than Judism. In many forms of Christianity, the child is circumcised. Not all of it is ritualistic. Many are done in the hospital just because religion says to do it, and that's it. I don't know where the Bible says that, but it's a religious practice followed by my husband's family.

It's debated which is healthier. Some say that getting a circumcision puts the child at higher risk of getting a UTI. My son has never had one and he's almost 2 years old.

Most of the time a circumcision goes fine and the child is perfectly healthy. Same as when a child does not become circumcised: they live a full and healthy life with foreskin attached the entire time.

However, if, for any reason, the child needs a circumcision later (which can happen) then the later the circ gets done, the more likely the mind won't create as many substitute pathways to make up for the loss of sensitivity. My husband was circumcised as an infant and has no problems with sensitivity, so I can't believe that any circumcision causes a drop in sensitivity. However, I do believe that adult circumcision does. This may be due to the fact that the brain has already become accustomed to the thousands of nerves in the foreskin, and bases its signals off of that. It expects the foreskin to continue to exist, the same way it does for any "phantom" limb. While the infantile brain is highly adaptable and will compensate long before they "need" their penis, the adult brain is less likely to adapt to the lack of foreskin once it's accustomed to it.

Both the chance of needing to have the foreskin removed during late childhood and adulthood, and the chance of a circumcision going wrong seem to have about the same rarity, so if you're going off of that, you may as well flip a coin.

Personally, we had it done to our son for religious reasons. His circumcision is perfectly fine, has healed with absolutely no problems, and hoses us down just fine. ;) Really, it's a personal choice as to what you want. Discuss it with the mother and see what she thinks. Though I'd personally suggest not watching. I did with my first son, but I'm not sure I can bring myself to do it with my second.

Answer 3

I say, let him decide when he's older, if he would like to have his penis surgically altered.

Right now, circumcision is only performed because of Judeo-Christian throwbacks, and the idea that an uncircumcised penis is "ugly" "dirty" or "abnormal".

Uncircumcised penises are only slightly more prone to UTI's than their circumcised counterparts. This problem is easily solved through (gasp) good hygeine.

There is no good reason to have a male child circumcised. Would you consider circumcising a female child? In some countries, this is practice. In others, it's considered a barbaric ritual...

Some people really do it because, well, that's how daddy's looks. I don't see this as a good enough reason to perpetuate an old-fashioned ritual based on sex organs being "dirty".

What is "dirty" is trying to care for a baby's raw, sliced up penis. There runs the risk of infection!

Now, when your child is 18, he can opt to have the procedure performed on his own. I'm sure an educated decision made by an adult is perfectly acceptable. Much similar to an 18 year old adult choosing to have piercings, tattoos, breast augmentation, etc. It's not a choice the parents should make for the child. It's a Cosmetic Surgery!

Answer 4

I would. I just had a son, and had him circumcised, however our hospital does not do them if your insurance does not cover and you can't pay up front so I would check into your hospitals regulations on that. The reason I say yes is because a circumcised penis is much easier to take care of then an uncircumcised. One of the nurses in the hospital while I was there was explaining to us that while most insurance companies consider it a cosmetic surgery and is not medically necessary that many men who have gone uncircumcised as newborns (when they say they do not remember the pain of it being done) have had to have it done later in life (retirement age and older-ouch) because of infections and/or the inability to take care of it themselves. This is especially the case when in a nursing home. Overall, the decision is up to you, and I don't know the statistics but this is something for you to consider before making your final decision. I would definitely make it a point to discuss it with your doctor if you have any questions or doubts. Good luck and congrats on your baby.

Answer 5

I had my son circumcised when he was born. We did it so there wouldn't be any questions later about why he didn't look the same as Daddy. The Dr explained the procedure to me, and they did use a numbing cream so the baby wouldn't feel the pain. My son didn't even make a peep during the procedure. Really it is a personal decision today more than anything.

Answer 6

Nobody here will be able to help you with this, unfortunately. We can all offer our opinions, but if you want hard facts (pros, cons) you'll have to go to a reputable website for statistics and information. Better yet, ask your wife's ob/gyn, since that is who will more than likely be performing the circumcision.

My husband and I chose to have our sons circumcised, and so far, no problems. (They're 12 months and 28 months old.)

One thing I can tell you: If your son becomes an adult and chooses to be circumcised, most doctors will use general anesthesia. This is risky, and the surgery alone is supposed to be more painful for an adult versus a newborn.

Answer 7

If you are, then I would also have it done for your son. You would want him to look like you and avoid confusion when the child is older and as to why he does/doesnt look like daddy.
We had our son circumcised when he was a day old. We made the choice because we want him to look like his daddy and its easier to take care of/clean (now as a baby and later in life).
I've read a few articles lately about circumcised men getting less infections/STDs than those who arent, I've listed the site I found those on.

Answer 8

There are a lot of good reasons for men to be circumcised! Health, hygiene and sex.

I had my sons circumcised after my youngest brother had tons of problems with his foreskin and needed to be circumcised! I really think the risk caused by foreskin is really underestimated. Given my sons' reactions circumcision seems pretty easy and quick by comparision.


It is much easier on a baby and its a good preventative step to future problems!

Lots of love,

Sara
[e-mail]

I've done a lot of research so feel free to email me if you need anyone needs some advice.

Answer 9

There is no medical reason or hygiene reason to have your child circumcised.

I did not have either of my son's circumcised and they do not have a problem with cleanliness, nor do they have a problem in any regard.

When my first son was born the paediatrician offered to do the circumcision so long as I promised to hold him still while he did it. I took his point and decided against circumcision.

It is a surgical procedure carried out with no anaestethic and has very high rsks of infection.

It is your choice.

Answer 10

I got my son circumsized. Mainly because his father is and most of the men in my family are. I didnt want him to feel different when he gets older. Or be uncomfortable when he is initmate with a girl when he gets older( like around 30 I hope) haha.jk. At our hospital you have to do it there before you are discharged. It costs a lot too. I found out about a local doctor who did it in his office though, and had it done there. They use the plastibell method. It was great, almost no pain and I could bathe and diaper him like normal and I didnt have to clean it any special way. It was also cheaper, around 100 dollars. I am very glad I had it done.