Circumcision...to Cut or Not to Cut? That Is the Question.......

Hi S.,

I chose not to have my son circumcized. Most of the men in my family were not circed and my dad and brother both were. They never siad they were unhappy about it, but my brother did not circ his son and I have found out that there are a lot of men now restoring their foreskins. There is only one boy in my daughters preschool who is circumcized and he was noticed at potty time that he looked different. It is funny that it is now changing that the uncircumcized boys may soon be outnumbering the circumcized ones like in her preschool and that men are restoring their foreskins, times are always chanign I guess. Anyway, I wanted to say that no one in my family ever had any problems being uncirced and neither did the ones who were. I choose not to have my son circed because I did not want to have to explain to him that I cut a piece of his body off. It just seemed wrong to me, but then again, I come from a family who was mostly uncirced.

Hi S. Y,

My son is 14 years old and he had a circumcision done at birth. My son does not have any problems, health wise or not.

J.

I lean toward circumcision, but if you really think about it it does sound horrible. I deferred to my husband, he has one, I don't. He know what he'll have to deal with while growing up.

We had it done in the hospital, when they are babies they have no memory of it. And like millions of men they are just fine. I don't know if a Moyle will do someone who's not Jewish?

Oh boy, what a question. First of all, let me answer your direct question - we chose to have our almost three year old son circumcised and I don't regret it all. Really, my husband chose, as I was on the fence. It seems that people who are anti-circumcision are a bit more, hmmmm I struggle for the right word here, ?forceful? in sharing their convictions. I was almost swayed by their power of persuasion. However, just last week I saw this article:
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-25-voa75.cfm
and am glad my dh made what I believe to be the right call. I see it as a "few minutes of pain (and, yes, my little guy wasn't uncomfortable for too much longer than that) for a lifetime of reduced risk" kind of decision. I still wouldn't go so far as to call it "necessary" but if it could help with the HPV epidemic down the road . . .

I share all of this only because you asked. All of the stuff about what others in your area are doing, what daddy looks like, etc. is blown out of proportion. Kids look different in so very many ways (as do their "little men") that it is not going to be traumatic either way. Remember this - it is your personal choice and neither one will be wrong, no matter what anyone else has to say :)

Hi S.,
I have a 2 year old boy. We chose not to have him circumsised. No problems of any kind so far! It took some convincing my husband though, he wanted him to look like him. There's no medical evidence that I found through my tons of research to support it's necessary though, and was able to talk my husband into realizing it was only a cosmetic thing. Anyway, my brother isn't either, and he's 22 with no problems at all! I asked him before my son was born and he said he'd have never wanted it done, and was glad my parents didn't get it done. (As for the whole religious aspect, I say to that that the bible states we were created in God's image, if he wanted men circumcised, wouldn't they be born that way?) Good luck to you, and good for you doing so much research, well informed decisions are the best decisions!

I am not at all familiar with the moyle/moyloe procedure you are speaking of. As for circumcision, I felt very conflicted. I mean, who wants to hurt their darling baby boy's little peepee? After discussing it with some males, however, I decided that he would not remember the circumcision, and that when he grew up he would be thankful for my decision. I didn't find it to be so bad, the nurses said he barely made a peep (he's a tough little boy) and he didn't seem to have discomfort when I changed his diaper or put cream on it.

That said, I am going to google "moyle/moyloe"

S.,
I had my son circumcised at birth. It was a tough decision and it seems to be a very regional issue. In this area of the country, most little boys are circumcised but it decreasing in many areas of the country. I believe it is a medical fact that it is NOT medically necessary, but becomes an issue of the son "looking like" the father. I'm sure you could do a bris on the 8th day....see
http://www.milah.net/
for some FAQs
Denise

S.,

My husband and I had the same debate with our son. I was very much against circumcision as none of my cousins or brother are circumcised, however, my husband wanted our son to look like him and not have the teasing from other boys. In the end we circumcised my son (much to my mom's dismay). It was never infected and never caused a problem and now Austin and Daddy look the same. For us it was the right choice, but I believe it is a personal matter that you and you husband should discuss. Oh and we had ours done in the hospital and it seemed to go fine. Good luck!

I think it is really up to you. I personally had all 3 of my sons circumcised. I mainly did it because that's what my husband and I thought they would have wanted as adults. I think that there could be more potential that they wish they were circumcised than wishing they hadn't been.

But like I said before, it is completely up to each parent.

My brother-in-law was not circumcised and kept getting alot of infections so at 45 years of age had to get one. OUCH! I would get the baby circumcised due to inections.
T.

HI S.,

I do not have a boy and on that I have no advise. But in terms of a moyle, I am not sure if they will do it as a medical procedure, not a religious ceremony. I have been to many a Bris and it is over very quickly.

I would get some names from your doctor and talk to a moyle or two and get some information from that side as well.

This is a very personal decision for you and your husband. There are pros and cons for both, do what is right for you and your son.

Good luck with your new joy!

Such a personal decision but good to learn more about and the pros and cons.I have 2 boys and neither are circumsised.I have never regretted it,they are not made fun of if their peers have gone through it either.I also have a home daycare and there have been no issues with the boys I have cared for either.I personally feel it is not necessary and why subject a baby to the pain.
Do your research,if you choose not to go ahead with it,the chances of an adult having it done due to problems,is very slight.

we had our sons done but their dad isn't. He said the smell would get to him.

Talk to your pediatrician, they do it not ob.

my 2 had little pain afterwards.

It's nice to see everyone's opinions without anyone being disrespectful. Often these threads tend to get out of hand and it drives me crazy.

It is a personal decision and it's great that you are trying to become informed in order to make that decision. I think that not enough people put thought into what they want to do and don't really look into it.

I looked into it for my son and decided that there was no medical reason to do it, and therefore did not circumcise him. My personal belief is that there are a lot of myths out there and that it is an old cultural thing that we are stuck in. Definitely do research and make your own decision.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/circumcision/a...

Read this article.

I'm not going to weigh in on the circumcision question, but if you do decide to use a Mohel for the procedure, we used Cantor Kushner for our son's bris. He is excellent at it (it's all he does) and very good with babies and new parents. His website is cantorK.com.

Hi S.,

I think there are several aspects to consider. I have 3 boys 3 girls. All 3 boys were circumsized. Basically, because Jesus was circumsized. He has set the example on so many things and this is just one of them. So my preference was religious. However, my sister married a man not circumsized. He constantly had infections because of it, it's difficult to keep the area as clean as needed becasue of the folds in the skin. She too always had yeast infections because of it. When they divorced 15 years later, all that stopped. So I would say there are health concerns to be looking at, how clean can little boys keep themselves if a grown man who is meticulous wasn't doing a very good job. As far as where to do it, I did it at the hospital, I'm not familiar with a Moyle performing the procedure. I will say, have it done right away, it's easier, than waiting. My sister in law waited, because she didn't want it done because her husband wasn't done, then decided differently, he was 6 months and it was a huge deal at that age! Which ever way you do it, that's your decision, maybe the pediatrician doesn't like doing them because he would do it, but I'm for having it done. Never regretted it.

have a wonderful day,
L.

I agree that this is a personal descion. I have four boys and all of them are circumcised. The main reason for that I made this descion was, I wanted them to look the same as daddy and I really didn't want to have to teach them how to clean themselves. I can barely get my boys to clean themselves properly now, let alone wash their hands after the bathroom!

My brother also had repeated infections as a kid and had to be circumcised at 8. He was in agony for a week. My babies just cry until I hold them and then their fine. I never had any issues with pain, infection etc after.

Also, I would say how much do you trust your doctor's opinion? If he you feel he's pretty much always spot on then I wouldn't see any problem with going with something different than the hospital. Foe me I would rather have it done at the hospital (unless there were any horror stories) because it would be one less appointment to have to make or go to after the baby.

Good luck and whichever choice you make will be a good one if you do your research.

We circumcised both our sons. It was a choice based on personal preference, wanting our boys to look like Daddy, reducing future awkward moments in the boys' room, and cleanliness. But this is something that you and your husband should discuss and decide on, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Good luck.

We knew we were going to have any male children we had circumcized, and our son was circumcized by a moyle...as were so many boys we know.... It is a personal decision. Good luck with it.

I will share my experience as a mom and a child care provider for 1-2 year olds. My son was circumsized at the hospital. I had no issues or concerns. I liked having it done there so the hospital staff could instruct me on the care of the area. I don't know about having it done by a Moyle.
I have taken care of young boys who are not circumsized and I can tell you they seem to have a lot of sensitivity in that area and also it can be challenging to clean. My son never really had any issues with keeping it clean or being over sensitive.
Personally, I am for it. My husband tells the story of his father needing id done as an adult due to an infection - would have been much easier as an infant!
Hope this helps!

During most of my pregnancy we were NOT going to circumcise if we had a son (we didn't know the gender until birth). However, somewhere around 6mos, I asked my nephews (out of 19 of them, 14 are over 16yo) - all but 3 are circumcised. The ones were are circumcised are glad that they are, the ones who aren't (and are now in their late 20's) wish they were and have thought about getting it done for years.

After talking with them, we made the decision to have our son circumcised.

Its a difficult decision (one of many) - good luck!!!

My mother circumcised my two brothers - the second one had problems - bled for months (she is an RN, but this was years ago). The next two boys she did NOT circumcise, and my siblings have all chosen not to circumcise their boys.(including me). I urge you to read all information - there is a website you can look at www.nocirc.org - this covers all circumcision - male and female. Many are learning this is unnecessary - and you are running the risk of causing some potential problems. I also urge you to separate the "myths" - such as it's cleaner, etc. FYI: I have actually had to educate a couple doctors on the facts vs. myths of circumcision - some just did not know.

I would do a circumcision. My son had one when he was born. If it is for religious purposes have the moyle do it. circumcision is something most boys have. do you want him to feel left out or wierd because he did not have it done? it is a lot more hygenic also. I would take it that the other two children are girls. I am glad i had my son circumsized.

Hi S.

You have gotten many responses and you do know that it is a personal decision. So the only 2 cents I will throw in is to talk to your OB about the procedure. There are different types of anesthesia available from topical anesthetic to a total nerve block. Make sure the doctor/hospital/nurses know what you want done in terms of anesthesia if you choose to have him circumsized. Also, ask other women who use the doctor you do if they had their son circumsized and if there was any problem. Both of my sons are circumsized, they did have a "wound" which needs to heal after the procedure, it looks bloody and scabby. I think whatever decision you make will be the right one. I do think if I had to choose all over again, I wouldn't have done it. I didn't get my daughter's ears pierced, so why did I do that to my boys? I don't feel guilty, they are both perfectly normal, look like their dad and healed perfectly. Just my 2 cents.

Hi Suzy,
I am Jewish so my son was circumcised by a moyle.I originally wanted to have the procedure done in the hospital without the ritual ceremony at home. My father told me that it is better to have it done with a moyle.It is an old acient ceremony and this is what they are trained for. I hear about bothched jobs from the hospitals but honestly not from anyone personally.Some of my friends chose not to have it done on their boys and there is more and more contraversy on the subject. Although it is painful to the baby , it is such a short time with no pain recall..Some women will only be with a guy circumcised some dont care.It is a very personal choice but really not for your own sake since your little boy will become a man and it is his dilemma.I think you need to ask circumcised men if they think it is a bad thing.I also heard that an uncircumcised man can pass viruses or infections on fasrer to a women and also heard that women are at a higher risk for cervical cancer with an uncircumcised man.But these are stories that I have only heard and have not looked up the facts
Also a moyle could be around 3-400 .00 I dont know if they charge in the hospital.
Goodluck with your decision
L.

I am actually amazed that the percentage in the daycare is 50/50. I have had a few nephews, friends babies and neighbors born in the last year and a half...they all choose to have it done. I really thought that the majority did...i learn things everyday....lol!

I can tell you that my husband absolutely wanted to have our babies circumcised...i ended up having four girls though! I do agree that it is a personal choice....best of luck with whatever you choose.

yes moyles are the best. most are specially trained. we used cantor kushner. you can probably google him. he even followed up after the circumcision with 3 phone calls. he was wonderful but you wil have to pay to have it done well!

Hi S.,
Your doctor is right. Moyle's are specifically trained in the procedure. They are the experts in the procedure.
There's an organization called NOCIRC - they have a video showing what the procedure entails. They obviously don't support it, but the video is very informative.

But if you ARE going to do it - definitely go with a Moyle.
good luck!