It's a boy! Or so says the ultrasound...now comes the circumsicion debate.....?

Question

can you tell me pros and cons from both sides. Hubby doesn;t want to, and I am in the middle.

Answer 1

As a woman I would never make that decision for a male child. There is nothing for me to debate. That would be one decision the child's father (being a male) would have to make. I'm not going to do it. I've been to a B ris...figured that since the baby screamed for an hour afterward it hurt...although everyone I've spoken to says it doesn't hurt...(interesting since those who have told me it doesn't hurt have never had it done)

Answer 2

Pros - there are still more circumsized boys than not so he won't feel "different" from the other boys. Also, some of my friends have told me that it can be painful to have sex with an "unclipped" guy but I can't say firsthand since I've not met one in my travels.

Cons - some people think it's cruel, painful and unnecessary.

Middle of the road - I have heard strong arguments from both sides either insisting that the foreskin traps bacteria that can lead to infection or that it certainly doesn't.

Personally - We had it done for our boys so they'd match Daddy and so they'd be the same as the other kids. Neither of them had any difficulties with it but I'm sure some will condemn us and some will agree.

Answer 3

I had a baby boy 4 months ago and my husband didn't want him circumcised and I did. After I had the baby we were still debating whether it was going to be done or not and finally we talked to the doctor and the doctor explained the process and the benefits and my husband finally agreed. There is a health factor, men who are circumcised are less likely to have penile cancer and less likely to catch yeast infections along with UTI's, odor, and other problems. Also the whole appearance of an uncircumcised penis, isn't that great. My husband isn't and it's something I'm uncomfortable with but I can not change. It''s a simple procedure, not pleasant to watch but heals in about a week. I definitely recommend it, save your son the embarrassment later in life.

Answer 4

The major concern about circumsicion is your religious beliefs. In a lot of cultures it's not acceptable, however, in this day and age it's more about hygiene issues.

My personal belief is to have the child circumcised. There is no pain involved with the procedure, and later down the road there will be no infections involved with it.
There is a certain bacteria that is able to grow on the foreskin, and this produces a substance called smega, and if not cleaned often enough it will produce infection.

Weigh the options, religion vs. hygiene.

Answer 5

I don't know about the pros and cons(I personally chose to have it done with my son), but one thing to consider is the cleaning issue. If you plan to have your child in someone else's care, are they willing to clean an uncircumcised boy every time they change the diaper? This is your personal choice, just try to come to a decision together-you don't want this to be a point of contention later on.

Answer 6

That's a tough one! But ultimately it is something to really think about. If you aren't going to do it, keep in mind that hygiene is really something that you have to keep up on and make sure that it is cleaned properly and most boys once they're old enough they don't wash themselves as thoroughly as they should. My godsons' parents chose not to circumcise and he wound up with a few painful infections and wound up doing it when he was 10 years old and the surgery is more painful for them at that age then when they're babies. OK for looks wise, does it really matter? Cut is clean, but for when they're older sensation is less that uncut. Basically it boils down to how you raise your child and teach him to keep it clean. But there is a really good article on it on babyzone.com It gives you both the pros and the cons better than I can give you. Congratulations on the new bundle!

Answer 7

I think whether one does or doesn't is your choice. There are some upsides to circumcision. It is easier to clean with circumcision. Without circumcision if you clean under it really well and make sure he cleans it it will be okay. Also, it depends on your religious views. Whether you do or not should ultimately be decided between you and your hubby. I am going to myself, but it is personal choice.

13 weeks and 3 days.

Answer 8

I wanted to for cleanliness reasons, but he was too old by the time I was able to get him in so he is uncircumsized. Just FYI though, the doctors will tell you NOT to pull him back to clean him...but from my experience... my step son..now 7 years old had to be circumsized at 5 years old because his momm didn't pull him back to clean him. My girlfriend has a set of 5 year old twin boys who now need to be circumsized because she also was told not to pull them back to clean. Adult men, hopefully, pull themselves back to clean so why doctors tell you not to is beyond me. I actually argued with my doctor on this issue, and eventually, after stating my point, he agreed with me. Those three boys I meanrioned, their foreskin grew overtop of their penis so that they could hardly pee.. and now they have to go through a painful surgery because of some incorrect advice. Personally, I would do it just so that these problems can be avioded. Good Luck

Answer 9

My little guy is due in seven weeks and he WILL be circumcised when he comes home. It is a sanitary thing and I know this first hand from working in a retirement home with men that were not. They run a higher risk of infection of the penis and bladder because men are not the cleanest things and they aren't going to take that extra two seconds to dry it an pull the skin back down their penis. It is just a sanitary thing for me and my little guy will have his done before we come home.

Answer 10

I am guessing that you are from the US as this practice doesnt really occur in Australia anymore. There is no need for it and to me it seems cruel. Then again it is your baby and you should do what you consider best for him but it just seems really strange to me that this is such a common practice in the US and i do not know of one person here in OZ that would have it done.

I am having my first child in 4 weeks - tis a boy and he will be a la naturalle