Question for Team Blue Moms

So, circumcision...

I know that in the US it is super common, but it seems so mean. My DH and I can't decide if we want to circumcise our little guy (I'm guessing we probably will) but there doesn't seem to be any real medical advice to support choosing either way. I've read that it's not that painful for the little baby and that it heals quickly, and of course no men I know can remember it so it can't be *that* traumatic. Doesn't it seem mean that this poor little thing already had to leave the comfort of his warm safe uterus home and then you cut the end of his penis?

For those of you expecting boys or who have boys already, what are/were your reasons for or against? I've read a lot online, but nothing has helped me decide either way...

Thanks!

i have a little boy and i got it done....for the reason that daddy was. And i just figured it was the norm because all boys in my family are.

Your hitting on a hot topic, so you could get slamed either which way! I however am pro circumcision. I was going to have our son circed, but events lead to it not happening when he was first born. My son had problems with his penis that lead to reflux of urine into his kidneys and infections. He had to get a circ when he was 5 and still remembers it (he is 7 now). He has been infection free and his reflux is slowly getting better (thank god, I really didn't want to make him go through the surgery needed to fix that!)

I also think of my grandfather who medically needed to get one when he was 83. Oh yeah he remembered it.

There are pros and cons to each side, but I like the pros of mine better than the other. I would say if any men in your or his family have medically needed one or have problems with their kidneys or urinary functions, do it.

I would so rather have done it when my son couldn't remember it and it wasn't a major medical procedure!

Good luck in you decision!
Jen

Thank you for your replies. I definitely don't want to start a heated discussion, I just don't know how to make the decision. We are leaning toward it because DH is and so are all the boys on both sides of the family. I'm sure it's not that mean or no one would do it, but I feel bad. I think I'm more afraid of having to be there than anything, but I couldn't make him go through it without being there for him!

Thanks again!

My first son is and my second son will be. None of my brothers are and I asked my mom why and she said they should decide for themselves. I couldn't really be mad with that answer. At first it didn't really matter to me and my hubby said it did to him. So Lisa it is really between you and you hubby. But either way it will be fine.

I guess the fact that they only recently started using anesthesia for the little guys has to mean it can't hurt that bad. Thanks for all the responses. It makes me feel better.

We will be having our boy circumcised. The main reason is because we want him to look like dad. If they allow us my husband will stay with Jake for the procedure.

Dee

that is the one decision that I left up to dh and he said that he would. at first I thought that when i had a boy I would but hey I kind want dh to have some say in this.

I think it's a personal decision also, and it's good to weigh the pros/cons to figure out what you think is best for your baby. That said, I have 3 boys and all three of them are circumcised. The care isn't that bad, it heals quickly and usually the nurses come and get him the day after he's born, whisk him off for a few minutes and then he's back. My husband watched at the window, he said there were like 4 other dads there waiting as well--all with their boys in there getting snipped--I had to laugh at the visual. Good luck in deciding!

Stacey

This is a personal decision for sure. I had my first 2 boys done. DH is.. i thought it was tradition so why not get it done. When we were pg with Logan i went through doubts as you are. I asked questions, watched the video of it being done, talked to his ped who didnt talk me in or out of it he supported me either way. He did tell me that there is no medical reason to have it done. That it is mearly cosmetic. Thats why some insurance companies are not paying for it. Dh helped me with the decision after watching the video and doing research. Logan and Grayson are not cut. I am 110% happy with that decision. We had agreed that if they wanted to get done they could decide on their own. At the hospital they said that it is a 50-50 thing...its even with who are deciding to cut and not. As for lookiing different in the house. Logan thinks he is cooler then Shaiman because Shaiman doesnt have a worm inside his penis! Shaiman cant figure out why Logan loves his penis so much. Everyone in life is different in some ways. This is just one of them in our house.

Best wishes

we are having it done. my ex co-worked told me he had it done when he was 33 and it was not fun. until now i thought most ppl have it done. but i think its bout 50 50. i went to a jewish bris a few weeks ago. they didnt use anything it tooak baout 8 maybe 10 mins. he cried for about 15 they gave hime alitle wine and he was back to sleep. so after seeing it done im okay with it

I had my son's done. They took him away, brought him back to me and he was sleeping peacefully, and was fine. Like nothing happened.

It really is a personal decision. But I have had a few male friends who are not circ, who said they wish they were. My one male friend is Jamaican and said sometimes when he has sex it burns....don't know if he had something (he was kinda promiscuous) or if it was due to not being circ.

Some ladies friends of mine said they enjoy sex more with a non circ penis. So I don't know.

I guess both has their pros and cons.

Oddly enough its a geographical thing, depending on where you live it it goes either way. The West Coast is only 30% cut while in the Northeast only about 30% don't get cut. I am 100% in the boat that its a family/personal decision, but once you start hearing stories about ladies that work in nursing homes and have to deal with elderly men that are not cut it makes you think...

Yeh, this is definitely a hot topic, but kudos to us ladies for staying completely calm and friendly in our postings! Can't say that for some of the other boards!

My DH and I actually had this conversation before we got married...weird, I know. He is circ and, when we first talked about it, he said he'd never considered NOT having it done for his son(s). Then we did some research when were were preg with DD (before we knew she was a girl of course) and decided against it. We have several reasons why we're choosing to not circ, but I won't list them all. It helps that my sister didn't have either of her boys circ, and considering that Owen will only have one other boy cousin (who is snipped), he'll actually be in the majority in our family.

On a more personal note, hopefully this isn't TMI, I was engaged to a man back in college who wasn't snipped. IMO, and from a woman's perspective , it's not a bad thing at all to not be snipped