I am six mnths pregnant and my doctor says i have to make a decision on circumsising my son Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Your doctor probably just wanted to put it in your head to start you thinking about it. It's a much debated topic. You have plenty of time to decide. And that is a decision solely for the parents of that child and NO ONE ELSE.

Our son is because his father is. My husband was the one to have the final decision. It's a boy thing.

Answer 2

Don't do it.

There is no strong medical reason for it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends AGAINST routine infant circumcision.

You wouldn't do it if you had a daughter.....why do it to a son?

"Looking different from dad" is a lame argument. ALL children look different from mom and dad. Mom and dad have pubic hair. Mothers have developed breasts and their daughters don't. Dad's penis is bigger than his son's penis. Kids are SMART. They know that some people have different skin, hair and eye colors. They will also understand that not everyone's penis looks the same. AND, if you tell him later WHY it looks different (if dad is circ'd and the child is not) it's highly likely that the boy will say, "WOW! Thanks for not letting them do that to ME!"

My son is 7 years old and intact. His dad is circ'd. As far as I know he has still never asked about the difference.

From the AAP statement, linked below:
Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided.

The uncircumcised infant penis requires NO special cleaning or care. DO NOT try to retract the skin...you will hurt your child. The foreskin won't retract until around school age. Then all you have to do is teach him to pull it back and swish it with some water. (And what little boy wouldn't want an excuse to play with his penis in the tub! LOL!)

The "medical arguments" for circumcision can all be taken care of by teaching good hygeine and safe sex practices.

Answer 3

No!! Leave his Penis alone!!

No, you should NOT circumcise him. We are living in year 2006, NOT in the 1800's or early 1900's, for example.
In year 2006 we can take showers EVERYDAY. We have ALOT of options, and many many ways of staying clean as opposed to living back in 1876 where we can not shower everyday, and do not have good hygeine.
You do know why they circumsise baby boys, right?
It's because it's more "hygenic". WELL, As I stated above, we are NOT living in the past, we are living in the present.
When they invented circumsision, infections were very common because it was very hot and people did not shower very often or keep clean. Back then, people weren't as advanced as today and did not know how to keep clean, therefore circumsision WAS perhaps the best way to prevent infections, and illnesses.
Please remember that we are living in year 2006.
It is not common for men who have not been circumsised to get infections.
The chances of getting infections are the same for men who have been circumsised, and men who haven't been circumsised.
Circumsision is stupid, and circumsision is abuse.
Also, Answer this question:
Jews supposedly grow out their beards because "god" intended for them to be "natural". WELL, Is cutting off a piece of your son's penis NATURAL?
No! It's not! So leave your son alone!

Answer 4

It is definatly important to research it online, look at all the pictures of the procedure, and BE SURE that you, yourself, wants it done for your son, no matter how gross or unhuman it looks.

When I attended my Birthing Readiness class, they told us that it is fine not to get your son circumsised but you have to be sure to teach him good cleaning habits for it to prevent problems in the furture.

I will say this though, I have had sexual relations with 2 uncirumsised people. To me it was a big turn off in the way we had sex and the way it looked. Not getting your son cicumsised is your decision and you can always get it done later, but then they would need general anethesia and the embarrasement of having to have surgery on their penis. The research I did on the subject freaked me out to no end, but if I had a boy (I had a girl this time), I would get him circumsised.

Answer 5

Normally they ask you this info when you are filling out your birthing plan packet for the hospital delivery.

I had all of my 3 boys circumsized - and definitely will with my soon to be born twin boys. The circumcision was easy to care for, and healed quickly. There are many reasons why a boy should be circumsized. Not only is it easier to keep the penis clean - let alone not being circumsized.

There are several studies of the benefits of circumcison. Women who have had sex with circumsized men, have a less chance of having cervical cancer. Men have a lowered chance of penile cancer.

And now, having a 13 yr old with enough things to be self-conscious about, doesn't have to worry about something as this - in the locker room! I definitely know I had made a good decision!

Answer 6

Not sure where you are located, there has been a recent series of announcements concerning male circumcision and AIDS infection. Circumsision LOWERS the likelihood of transmission. In someplace like the US with low AIDS transmission , this may not be a deciding factor but it is something to consider.

Answer 7

Both my kids were circumcised.
I decided to attend both against the recommendation of the Dr.

It was pretty rough. Made me cry.

The child has to be tied/strapped down to a kind of support system. Legs, arms and torso are tied. That was already already traumatic, the baby was screaming its head off. Then the circumcision tool is placed over his penis and the foreskin strectched out. Then the blade cuts it off.

(The 2nd child we also had done just to avoid confusion at bath times.)

When the 2nd boy was done the nurses tried to persuade us not to do it because they said there is no reason to do it.

If you don't there is a small chance it could become medically necessary later in life. My Uncle had to have it done at the age of forty and the son of a neighbour had to have it at age 8.

Answer 8

Do it! I have a 3 yr old boy and I looked around and asked about the pros and cons but in the end it was a sanity and vanity issue for me. I didn't want him to be different, and there are many studies that say uncircumsiced boys have higher risks of STDS this is something I would really talk to the doctor about, if you are on the fence do some research and do want you think is best. But for me it was necessary. It healed very quickly and when they brought him back from getting it done he was asleep, so...if that says anything about how "traumatic" it is for them. One suggestion for you if you do it...LOTS OF VASELINE!! wipe the front of the diaper with it so that it doesn't stick to his...uh member and hurt him. We were so worried about hurting him he could have probably slipped right out of his diaper if we tugged on him. :)

Sanitary...not sanity! i'm a dork!

Answer 9

If you are attending prenatal classes, ask them to discuss the issue. I saw a video of circumcision and it was enough to change my mind about having my son done. It's barbaric to say the least and not necessary. Scary that in some countries they are still circumcising little girls as well. Now that's a crime.

Answer 10

I have a 14 month old son who was not circumcised... I did all my research and all doctors and pediatricians agree that it is not a necessary procedure. If you teach your son to wash correctly, then the procedure is purely for cosmetic purposes only. The American Pediatric Association does not state that a boy should be circumcised. It is purely for cosmetic purposes!