Hello Moms! We are expecting our second child in a couple months, and just like the first, we decided to be surprised about the sex of the baby. Obviously with our daughter we did not need to worry about settling the debate about whether or not to do a circumcision. My husband was when he born, but we have been reading that this is a declining procedure as it's really not necessary unless there are religious reasons behind it. That is not the case for us. I understand the reduced risk in UTI's for the infant's first year if we decide to do the circ, but we're also very meticulous when it comes to keep our children clean "down there" so I'm not overly worried about the hygiene aspect of the decision. I just wonder who has decided against doing one and what your reasoning was. I've read into this quite a bit, so we're leaning toward not doing it. But I just like to see what others decided as well. Thanks Moms!
Thanks for all the input. We're probably still learning on the side of not doing it. I believe we are good parents who will teach our son the proper way of being clean, the proper values in life so as not to be someone who doesn't contract STDs and when he is old, we pray he'll have the proper care if he can't care for himself. God made boys a certain way, as he made girls, and we don't mess with girls. Although there are many issues that can come about later in life, or even early on, you may have unexpected issues with girls as well. I will still talk to my OB and our pediatrician before making the final decision, but I really appreciated reading everyone's input and advice! It's helpful to know both sides and the reasoning behind certain decisions. As always, thanks Moms!!
Mine were both snipped. There was a question on here earlier in the year that prompted me to ask my sons if I didn the right thing, and they both told me if I hadnt they'd be pissed.
My husband and his brother were not circumcised as infants. Both had to have them as teenagers -- in their late teens. Definitely not a pleasant experience for either of them... trust me on that. When we had our son, we were adamantly in favor circumcision and are very glad that we had it done.
There are issues that pop up (ahem) later in life that they don't discuss when they are talking about not having it done. Do your research carefully.
LBC
My first son was done. My 2nd and 3rd sons were not. We decided (nearly a decade after the first) to make our decision based on the solid medical research rather than anecdotes.
And that's all I'll say about that!
We left our 1st son intact and plan to do so with our 2nd (coming any day now...please baby!). The AAP's most recent statement on circumcision says that there is no medical reason to routinely circumcise....so we didn't. Many other countries with comparable (or better) healthcare to the US also counsel against routine circs. If you search cicumcision on this site there is a mom who posts a link to circ rates in the US based on location...it is an interesting map to look at...rates are very close to 50/50 nationally with the trend to leave intact increasing.
I was just talking to my dr about this yesterday. The trend is definitely leaning more toward not circumcising than it has been previously. But I told her that if I was having a boy this time around I would definitely do it. And didn't really understand why so many people were not. I have waited in the waiting room while my 87 year old grandfather has had to get it done. And in 3 years he needed it 3 times. really sad. Dr. told me that when a child has to have it done it is no longer just a snip or even a bell it is a major surgery. I would rather have it done at the beginning when it is not traumatizing than have to go in a few years later when it is extremely traumatizing. Just my personal preference. You and your husband need to get all the info you can and make an informed decision based on that. Talk to your dr. and a pediatrician or a few.
I know uncircumcised men pass STDs including AIDS more than circumcised men. Apparently all kinds of gross stuff can grow in there. I am just thinking out loud here but as a woman I wouldn't want that. I kinda wonder how many men in 20 or so years are going to have to go through the pain of adult circumcision just to get a woman. It could happen.
I don't know, I just feel like sometimes, usually when I look at some of the crazy names we are giving our children, well, I just feel like we are not thinking about the adult effects our decisions will have. Yeah, look at me I didn't circ my son, I can keep it clean, well one day he will have to keep it clean. I for one would not want to monitor that and the toilet seat when I marry someone. :p
We chose not to circ our son... he is now almost 4 and we've had no problems. Daddy is also not circed... closing in on 40 soon... he's had no problems. I asked daddy about any teasing as a teen and he said he wasn't teased at all. I also talked with the pediatrician, my ob/gyn and hubby's doctor to get their medical opinion... then based the decision from all of those aspects. One thing I did not do was go onto BabyCenter or here to Mamapedia... at the time there was too much name calling, holier-than-thou attitudes and just plain meanness going on about this subject (sorry ladies... but at that time that's what I saw... thank goodness this discussion has been civil!)
This is a VERY personal decision...and a VERY hot topic here...
I personally want my boys to be circumcised...and they were...I can tell you that there are plenty of men who weren't who ended up having it done (UTIs and other health issues) and were in total pain...if you are meticulous - then you really should do it. makes life much easier.
You'll get both sides here as well as some VERY extreme points from both sides as well...bottom line? it's your decision...
We had our first two boys circumcised because it was just "what you do". With my third son I actually had doubts. Did it anyway and wish we hadn't. It wasn't done well, I could hear him scream. I regret it. Yes he's fine now (after a long healing) but I still regret it. I think the "trend" is coming to an end and I'm glad.
I have two sons (soon to be three!) who we left alone. We haven't had any problems at all- no UTIs (which are more common in girls, anyway, and we just deal with them) or hygeine issues.
If my boys ask me someday why they're not circumcised, I'm very comfortable telling them what circumcision is and why I didn't choose to have that done to their bodies. They are, of course, free to choose when they're adults if they decide that they would prefer to be circumcised, just like any other cosmetic surgery.
We didn't circ. Little one is 10 months old. No trouble as yet.
I have three sons and never considered doing it. I have no religious reasons to do it, and frankly, I've always thought of it the same as female circumcision. My sons are clean, and have no problems. Just as in the past it was more usual to be circumcised, I have no doubt that it is now becoming usual not to be circumcised, and the old argument that they may not look like daddy doesn't really wash.
I don't know if methods now have changed, but when my husband was circumcised, it was in a manner that hurt the child. I would assume they would now use anaesthetic?
Anyway, (and I know that at least one mama whom I admire and like on Mamapedia who has had their son circumcised, and I don't wish to cause angst to them), I just could not do that to my child when I see no benefit.
from what i've heard (and i could be wrong) a lot of mothers aren't circumcizing their sons because Medicaid doesn't pay for it anymore. i'm not talkign about the moms here on this site who have chosen to after researching, but the Medicaid not paying for it has contributed to the falling rate of circumcision.
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