The Circumcision Discussion

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 15, 2007

That is strange, analee. One of those weirdo things that you might never see for 25 years, then see 2 back to back.

sunnydaydream · Jun 15, 2007

I'm doing my OB rotation for my ASN program and have watched 3 circs. One was done with the board and Lidocaine block and they waited for the Lidocaine to work and the baby fussed, but didn't seem as distressed as the next baby I watched get circ. This doctor used the block, but didn't wait for it to take effect. The poor baby screamed bloody murder through the whole procedure. Finally, the third doc had standing orders of tylenol and emla cream before the procedure. Used the block and also used a pacifier that was dipped in sugar. This baby did not flinch or cry once. I truly believe that if a baby is to get circ'ed they deserve the last treatment. If I was a mother to a baby boy, although it would be painful to watch I would be sure that steps were taken so they didn't have the treatment that the second baby I had seen got.

justme1972 · Jun 15, 2007

I am sorry she said that to you in that way. But I have seen it over and over in my short years as a nurse. Some babies who are BFing wonderfully, then get circed fall to pieces shortly thereafter and it takes a lot of time & work to get them back to where they were before. It has been known to happen. I'm not attacking you, I'm just saying that it's a fairly common thing, common enough that I warn moms that it might happen before they send baby for his circ.

Arwen, I actually agree with you completely.

If the nurse that came in said, "Well, circ'd babies usually do that because of the type of procedure it was." I am a very realistic person, I could have taken any advice she had to give...but it was the tone that she took that I had an issue with. I understand completely that it is a very individual decision and some nurses are either passionately for or against circumcision.

There isn't anything wrong with giving mothers the pros and cons, b/c we need to hear the cons regardless of how much we don't want to hear them, to me that is good healthcare.

RGN1 · Jun 15, 2007

I'm from the UK and it is not done here at all in hospital at birth, only later if medically indicated eg phymosis. Of course there are those that get it done for religious reasons but they organise that themsleves. I don't think any child should be subjected to an unnecessary procedure, with all it's infection & other risks, for no reason & to my mind that's what a circ at birth is!

There are some real horror stories about things going wrong & for what?? So they can look like dad??? I have friend in the US who has 4 boys & after doing her research she absolutely refused point blank to let the docs near any of them & I admire her for that. A circ should be done only if medically, or arguable religiously, necessary. I'm glad there was no-one putting pressure on me when my boys were born to have them go through that!

Another friend of mine in Canada was actually pro circ before she had her boy but when she looked into it after her son was born she also chose wisely & her boy is as nature intended him to be. Oh & for those who think a circ is cleaner - rubbish, as long as the child is taught to clean himself properly then there is no problem.

Rock, LPN, RN · Jun 15, 2007

the prodedure is barbaric. there is no medical reason for circumcisions.

in the case of phimosis (rare), a dorsal slit can be performed instead of circumcison.

the following web site has pros/cons:

www.cirp.org/

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 16, 2007

in the case of phimosis (rare), a dorsal slit can be performed instead of circumcison.

a friend of mine who is a family practice doc in finland says that's what they do instead of circ if phimosis is present. it's called a preputiotomy.

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Jun 16, 2007

BARABRIC....PLEASE, boob jobs and lipo are barbaric but they sure look nice later!

Jo Dirt · Jun 16, 2007

the prodedure is barbaric. there is no medical reason for circumcisions.
in the case of phimosis (rare), a dorsal slit can be performed instead of circumcison.
the following web site has pros/cons:
www.cirp.org/

i'm feeling the same way. when my son was born i tried to talk my husband out of it but he wanted it done. i can't be for sure, but it didn't seem like my baby was as happy as he had been before.

he told me this time to look at the baby's weenie and be the judge: if it looks funny to me then have it done. i am not going to have it done.

rnin02 · Jun 16, 2007

BARABRIC....PLEASE, boob jobs and lipo are barbaric but they sure look nice later!

So, are you saying a circumcision makes a member look nicer later? And, boob jobs and lipo are not something forced on you (at least hopefully not!), you get to make that decision for yourself as a mature adult.

mitchsmom · Jun 16, 2007

To circ or not to circ? I am an OB nurse who assists with circs and it is SO totally barbaric-seeming. The babies scream and cry and they come out with a swollen, bloody member. For what. I am also the mother of three uncircumcised sons and none of them have ever had a problem. I am so glad I didn't have them cut on when they were so brand new to the world. I feel so glad when new parents don't want to circ. It's about 50/50 where I work.

Same here, except I try not to assist if I can help it (I usually don't do it b/c I do more L&D than postpartum). Some of our docs use pain relief measures but I have NEVER seen a baby not scream even with EMLA &/or lido blocks. And, yes the screaming changes from one kind to another when being strapped to the circumstraint vs. actually getting tissue separated/ clamped/ crushed/ cut. People have desensitized themselves to it (whether consciously or not). I think, if an adult was in that circumstraint, people would realize how tortuous it is and would never let it happen, at least not that way. They stand there and talk about the weather like nothing is going on.

Like most guys in the world, my three boys are fine - never an issue socially or physically (and it was actually my (cut) husband who initially was like "you don't have to do that!" when I brought it up with our first pregnancy...leading me to read up on it).

I just hope parents to be will educate themselves and make the best decision for their families either way. With this, though, I think the rate will continue to drop a little because sometimes people chose to do it for a reason that isn't even true & with education they will realize mistaken beliefs more often.

It's a good debate, that's for sure!

mitchsmom · Jun 16, 2007

BARABRIC....PLEASE, boob jobs and lipo are barbaric but they sure look nice later!

LOL... waaayyyy OT but that's not always true, either!

For example:

Tara Reid Gets 'Ugliest' Breast Impant Surgery [and lipo] Repaired ""If I had to do it again, I never would have done it in the first place," she said to hosts Rosie O'Donnell and Joy Behar on "The View."

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