The Circumcision Discussion

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I know this can be a HUGE debate, and I'm not looking to start any arguments. I was just wondering as you are OB nurses. I'm expecting a boy in July and not sure if we should circ. or not. My husband says yes, it's better medically in the long run. My gpa who just turned 70 had to have a circ. due to endless complications lately.

As nurses in this area, is the medication that they use good? And what are some questions to ask my Dr. about it. I already know that my hospital i'll be at uses a med. when they perform it, I"m just wondering what you all think.

Thanks

Jen :)

Specializes in ICU, L&D, Home Health.

GregRN,

The exact same thing happened to me in nursing school. I had to sit in the nursery with my head between my legs praying not to keel over...:imbar So much for having a stomach of iron...

I've seen some seriously nasty things in the ICU, and had to scrub in and assist during a c/s in L & D, but ain't nothin' made me sicker than watching that little boy scream while his little winky was cut....:eek:

No boy of mine will be circed, but I don't begrudge anyone else doing so- to each his own.

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As for me, I have 4 now adult sons, none of whom were circumsized. They are all fine so far and it never was an issue. My first husband didn't like the idea, I was undecided so went along with his preferences.

Some men want their little boys to 'match' them, but little boys just don't match their fathers memberes.

My second husband was from Poland and of course uncircumsized, which I found preferable from the female standpoint.

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Specializes in pediatric ER.

Just thought I'd add my two cents.

My dad is a very successful and well known pediatrician. He does circumcisions, but that's besides the point.

He recently shared an article with me about circumcisions and the decrease in the spread of AIDS. He said in Africa they are now circumcizing a large number of the men to help prevent the spread of AIDS as it is a huge epidemic in that area. He said it is as effective as medication! Imagine that! One simple (10 minute) procedure and we can help decrease the number of people suffering from a terrible disease!

Just a thought. I don't judge people who are or are not circumsized. It's your choice and whatever you choose is fine, but do NOT force your beliefs on others. It's as simple as that.

Analee

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Do you guys really consider sex with a circumsized man with HIV to be 'safe sex'? :rolleyes:. Would you tell your circumsized son, "Don't worry Sonny, you're safe because you're circumsized, go ahead and sow your wild oats without a care." ?

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As far as forcing one's beliefs regarding circumcision on others, can you cite an example of that Analee? I've never heard of that happening anywhere. Can you provide a link?

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However, I just read an article in BBC where some radical Muslims captured a 12 year old boy, burned him in a bonfire, then forceably circumcised him. He belongs to a sect called Mandaeans, and they are being wiped out in Iraq. They don't believe in circumcision. Very interesting article.

http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6412453.stm

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Specializes in Psych, Derm,Eye,Ortho,Prison,Surg,Med,.

Circumcision was invented thousands of years ago when people did not have warm water and soap for cleanliness.

That is no longer the problem, especially in this modern United States, where warm water and soap are found in every home, including the poor people in housing projects.

I worked in a STD clinic for many years. Most of the clients were circumcised, therefore your inference that circumcision prevents STDs is unfounded.

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Specializes in Rural - we do it all!!!.

My daughter sent me this link

http://www.icgi.org/Medicaid_Project/index.htm

Here's part of the text....I don't know anything about the research pertaining to this site, but it is interesting.

Routine, non-therapeutic infant circumcision costs taxpayers up to $70 million annually, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Costs are more when payments for complications and extended hospital stays are included. Sixteen states reallocate millions of dollars each year by not funding infant circumcision - Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

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Being a Male I have opinions on this. Go figure a male with opinion on something.

1. I have no problem at all with Circumcision. I'm happy I was

2. I have a SERIOUS problem when no anesthesia is used. I think every doctor that circs a baby without anesthesia should have the EXACT same thing done to him. Already circ'd, I'm sure we can figure out how to do a "mini" on you. It would never be acceptable on an adult to not use anesthetic. I refuse to help any doc that does not use some form of Anesthesia. There was also a study done quite a few years back that showed that little boys who were circ'd with anesthesia tended to have a higher pain tolerance than boys who were not.

3. It does have medical purposes, one being reduced transmission of STD's in particular HIV, you can do all the teaching you want about Condoms, still doesn't mean they are going to listen.

4. Cleanliness, thats all I gotta say

5. What is barbaric to one culture is religious to another circ's are forced on parents, the parents have the right to decide what is to be done to their baby. Be it circ, vaccine, surgery, etc. Who are we to judge, i'm sure we all do things that others would find objectional.

I agree with you completely. I believe that physicians should use some form of anesthesia on these little babies. But, I used to work for OB/GYNs who dd circs all the time. They felt that Tylenol, "numbing cream" and a pacifier was sufficient enough. At least they used "numbing cream."

I know a man who is not circumcised and he gets UTIs as a result of it. He says he is too scared to get a circ done now, so he suffers instead. Every man I know who has been circumcised has no problem with it and no memory of having it done.

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Do you guys really consider sex with a circumsized man with HIV to be 'safe sex'? :rolleyes:. Would you tell your circumsized son, "Don't worry Sonny, you're safe because you're circumsized, go ahead and sow your wild oats without a care." ?

When/where did anyone say that??

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Just thought I'd add my two cents.

My dad is a very successful and well known pediatrician. He does circumcisions, but that's besides the point.

He recently shared an article with me about circumcisions and the decrease in the spread of AIDS. He said in Africa they are now circumcizing a large number of the men to help prevent the spread of AIDS as it is a huge epidemic in that area. He said it is as effective as medication! Imagine that! One simple (10 minute) procedure and we can help decrease the number of people suffering from a terrible disease!

Just a thought. I don't judge people who are or are not circumsized. It's your choice and whatever you choose is fine, but do NOT force your beliefs on others. It's as simple as that.

Analee

but by circ'ing a minor child, YOU ARE FORCING YOUR BELIEFS ON ANOTHER

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but by circ'ing a minor child, YOU ARE FORCING YOUR BELIEFS ON ANOTHER

What???? If you want to go there, choosing your child's religion is also "forcing your beliefs on another"!!!!

It is a given that parents and guardians make the decisions for minor children, so this is going too far.

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