Circumcision

[boybill]

Hey all,

Cairo had his circ today, and I am wondering how many of you plan to/or had your sons circumcised? I was not really wanting to do it, but my husband felt very strongly that it should be done. Since he had a much stronger opinion, we did it. I made my husband come to the doc and be the "comforter" because I didn't think I could handle it. I was right... I started crying as soon as the nurse came to pick him up, and when I heard him scream from down the hall, I was sobbing. Am I a baby or what?

[teresab]

I am so glad to see that someone else didn't have their son circumsized until a little later. For James, it was supposed to be before he left the hospital, but when the doctor was there she didn't know that he was being discharged that day and didn't do it. So they said we could wait another day or bring him to the office to have it done. We wanted him home, so we decided not to wait. We probably should have, because now it is such an ordeal!! We have an HMO and our pediatrician is in a different group than my OB, so we can't bring him to that office to have it done. Now I have to get a referral from James' doctor to a urologist next week when he has his first appointment. I felt like I was getting the run around with my OB's office too. I have always liked everyone there, but they couldn't figure out how to get around the red tape. They said they would do it in the office and waive the fee, but we would have to pay for supplies which would be about $100. I found that to be so irritating. It was their mistake, but they wouldn't eat the costs themselves. Oh, well. At least I know it will be done soon. I just wish it was already done. Sorry to complain on your thread but I felt the need to vent! :)

Teresa

[kjoy2]

You are not a baby at all. Seems as though circumcision would HURT. Thank goodness I was born a baby girl and female circumcision isn't practiced by the medical establishment in our country.

I'm sorry you had to hear your baby cry and hope that he heals quickly.

In case you are interested, here's a link to a thread that was a really good discussion we all had about the topic a few months back:
http://www.twinsmagazine.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=90204&highlight=circumcision

[grapeapeaf]

When this was done on DS I had to go take a shower so I couldn't hear him cry. I was crying about it when they brought him back and the dr laughed a little and said that the only time he cried was when they took his clothes off-otherwise he didn't cry for any of it. I was so relieved. Never seemed to bother him a day after.

[Shannon]

We are for sure going to do it with our boy. Although I just found out this week that OHIP doesn't cover it so we will have to pay. Is there anyone living in Canada as well that would know what it's going to cost?

[zoogrammie]

I read the posted link and as a woman who has been married to 1 man that was and 1 that wasn't. I would take the one that wasn't all over again any day. Also in myother life It was my job to strap those babies down and get them ready for this and I would never put anyone I love thru it. When my two oldest grandsons were born, just 4 months apart the first one was and the second wasn't. While the second wasn't his two younger brothers were, on daddy's demand and the middle son had to have reconstructive surgery when was 2 years old and it was horrendous. Now their mom wishes she would have told dad to stick it and not had it done. Yes the one has had one issue last summer when playing football in the extreme heat and humidity, but so did other boys onthe team that were. So it all comes down to teaching our sons how to take care of themselves, just like we teach our daughters to wipe front to back, feel for lumps when they get to be adults, etc. I will never again be party to the pain, and I don't care who says what, it is painful, and who can guarantee you they don't remember it down deep somewhere. Yes, I know immunizations are painful too, but there is good evidence to their benefits and none in favor of circum. I don't hold any grudges against anyone who chooses to do this for what ever reason, I just couldn't face it again. Happy baby growing, Jodie

[Kabrielle]

Let me bump the discussion about circ'ing that was from a few months ago. It had great points either way.

ETA: OH Sorry, someone had already posted a link. Ooops.

[teresab]

We are for sure going to do it with our boy. Although I just found out this week that OHIP doesn't cover it so we will have to pay. Is there anyone living in Canada as well that would know what it's going to cost?

When my doctor's office said that they would waive the fee, they said it was $500. But that is in the states. I can't say about Canada.

Teresa

[tmoana]

We're still not sure what we're going to do. I have one son who is, and one who isn't. I was going to post my story on here, but I already posted on the previous thread, so I won't repeat! :)

I think if we do end up doing it, it'd be really hard to be there and watch. Ugg--I kinda forgot about that decision. Thanks for the reminder! :)

[Shannon]

I will tell you the main reason that we have decided to do it. It cuts down the chances of getting certain STD's in half. Sure we have to teach our boys how to clean themselves, but they are boys...they rush through everything to do with cleaning. I know of many guys who wish that their parents had made the decision for them and did it when they where babies so they wern't faced with having to do it now as adults.

Im not a DR or a Nurse, however I have been present for 2, and they didn't even wake up. It's going to break my heart and make me feel like a mean mommy, but I think that it's for the greater good.
It's something that they don't need (the extra skin) (it's not like we're running through bushes anymore where it needs the protection...my boy will be wearing underpants) so if it will save on a number of issues in the future why wouldn't I?

[momof2]

Here in AB it will cost approx $200, I think that's what my dr said...it might be less.

I watched a video on a dr who did such a great job, the baby was frozen so he never felt a thing, he was calm through out. His penis end result was perfect.

Then I watched a video, of another dr...that baby was not frozen and it cried in pain, it was painful and I was bawling right along with him.

So my biggest concern, is what protocol will the dr use, will they be gentle, and use freezing, and respect the fact this tiny human does infact feel pain. Or just go in there, and lob it off like it's no big deal "millions go through it everday attitude".

We are still talking about it, we were not going to, but then part of us wants too. The last thing we want is to consider this is a life long decision, and when they are 80 years old and need assistance...I have to think of this as well. A nurse, or someone that may not be so kind, may have to take care of our sons...at any age, due to age or accident etc...will that person want to retract the skin to give them a bath...or would our son be better off having a circ so they get in and wash and are out...dignity is left and no infections.

It is a tough decision, for us. I am so happy that in this forum it was discussed nicely...weighing both sides of it, and respecting one another as we all make this decision.

[MaasLKN]

I completely fell apart when they took my son back for his. My DH felt stonger about it too, and so I went along with it. I remember thinking that he was so perfect the was he was, why mess with things. I also didn't do any research to learn the pro's and con's, so I didn't think I could argu with my DH. I am glad that we did it though, he is so much like his dad, and it would be hard to explain why they looked different.

I'm glad I don't have to worry about it again though!

Lori

[boytwins]

My two boys were just circ. yesterday. One slept through the whole thing and the other only cried bacause they took his diaper off (he always screams at his diaper changes). They use an anesthetic so they don't feel anything, and they are fine when it wears off...unlike when you are older. If it has to be done when a boy/man is older, it is horrible pain for weeks and I don't want my boys to go throught that torture.

Anyways, the PKU tests and shots hurt them WAY more then the circ.

[vonne2]

We did not circumcise our son. My husband is not circumcised, so therefore felt no need to do it to our son. It is definitely a personal choice