Circumcision on a few hour old newborn?

[baby&mommynurse]

Tonight at work we had an MD come in and and want to do a circumcision on a newborn that was only a few hours old... so he wouldn't "have to come back later". Baby was delivered via C/S. Usually our docs come in the day after delivery and do the circumcision then or wait until the day of discharge. Just a few times have I known an MD to want to do one just a few hours after the baby is born. We addressed this issue to our manager and clinical instructor, but we have no written policy that a circumcision is to be done after a certain time frame. Needless to say, the doctor proceeded with the circumcision. Have any of you encountered this? When do circumcisions on your newborns get done? And do you have a policy for when it should be done? Just curious what other hospitals practice?

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Maybe he told the parents that the baby was fine to do it so soon b/c he was born C/S. ...not as stressfull to the newborn????????

I only have two girls, but I'd probably not think anything about it if they were boys, and needed to be circumsised. I would've trusted what the Dr. told me. It's a shame.....because he didn't want to come back.....what a crock! I hope the baby continues to be ok.

[USA987, MSN, RN, NP]

Don't mean to hijack the post, but out of curiousity, how long are you all waiting to dc a baby after a circ?

[baby&mommynurse]

Maybe he told the parents that the baby was fine to do it so soon b/c he was born C/S. ...not as stressfull to the newborn????????

I only have two girls, but I'd probably not think anything about it if they were boys, and needed to be circumsised. I would've trusted what the Dr. told me. It's a shame.....because he didn't want to come back.....what a crock! I hope the baby continues to be ok.

But C/S can be more stressful to the newborns... longer transition time, more prone to respiratory problems due to fluid in the lungs, some of them are crash C/S for various reasons. I dunno... this doc just isn't very compassionate towards his patients or thier newborns. I called work today to make sure baby was fine... he is, thank goodness.

[baby&mommynurse]

Don't mean to hijack the post, but out of curiousity, how long are you all waiting to dc a baby after a circ?

Good question... I don't think we have a policy on that either. Some docs prefer us to wait at least an hour to make sure there isn't any heavy bleeding. I've known some docs to want the baby to pee first after the circ is done... but who knows when that'll be. And why would having a circ done have any bearing on if the baby will still pee later? Especially if the baby has efficiently done so before. Most of the circs done on the day of discharge are done early morning and the moms don't leave until hours after, so we have sufficient time to evaluate if there is any heavy bleeding.