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 :)

I can only find statistics through 2004. I'm not sure if newer ones are available. At any rate, here they are: http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/

Hope that helps answer the OP's question! You will hear EVERY perspective on this possible. The men I have talked to are usually happy with their member as is, circ'd or not. Personally, I'd rather leave well enough alone and avoid cosmetic procedures on my infant child.

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I brought little doobie home from the hospital today and I couldn't put him through it. His little weenie will be just fine like it is, I figure.

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I brought little doobie home from the hospital today and I couldn't put him through it. His little weenie will be just fine like it is, I figure.

Congrats on the new addition !

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Specializes in DOU.

My husband's son-in-law had a circumcision as an adult. He said it was sore, but nothing like he was expecting...

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Congratulations!!! Hope you had the birth experience you wanted!

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
I brought little doobie home from the hospital today and I couldn't put him through it. His little weenie will be just fine like it is, I figure.

Congrats!!! Enjoy your babymoon!!!

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Specializes in L & D and Mother-Baby.

When I was pregnant with my son (14 years ago) and working in a Peds office (prior to becoming an RN) I was trying to decide about circumcision. My husband said that if there was a good medical reason, then he was for it, and that he trusted my decision, even though he is not circumcised. I was able to watch several circs being performed by the highly skilled Peds I worked with using both Gomco and plastibell methods. After reading, watching and soul-searching, we decided not to circ our son. He has had absolutely no problems, infections or anything.

After becoming an RN, I worked on a Mother-Baby unit that did many circs a day. These Peds used the local block, plus they used the concentrated oral glucose solution "Sweeties." These babies all screamed bloody murder during the procedure. I never saw one that did NOT scream the whole time.

Best advice: get well informed, talk to the MD who will do the procedure and make the choice that is best for your family! We are happy with our choice!:nurse:

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Our docs (OBs) use local blocks (and DO wait for them to kick in) and the assisting person gives several rounds of Sweet-Ease on a passy. The kiddoes get Tylenol immediately following the procedure and q 6 hours for 24 hours as needed (usually just one more dose). Many never let out a peep. Some fuss a little afterward--being moved around and redressed and such, but I have never seen a single baby scream or fight or arch or do anything else that would indicate severe pain. In fact, I have seen a fair share nod off and awaken only when they were diapered and dressed. Even then, they didn't seem traumatized.

Truthfully, I have seen more reaction from Hep B injections, and even those are harder on the parents than on the babies. Most of the kids cry for 10 seconds tops, and many never cry at all.

That said, I don't think anyone should have to assist with the actual circ against their will. Set-up and clean-up maybe, but not with the procedure itself. Better for all involved if the assistant is calm and relaxed.

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Our docs (OBs) use local blocks (and DO wait for them to kick in) and the assisting person gives several rounds of Sweet-Ease on a passy. The kiddoes get Tylenol immediately following the procedure and q 6 hours for 24 hours as needed (usually just one more dose). Many never let out a peep. Some fuss a little afterward--being moved around and redressed and such, but I have never seen a single baby scream or fight or arch or do anything else that would indicate severe pain. In fact, I have seen a fair share nod off and awaken only when they were diapered and dressed. Even then, they didn't seem traumatized.

Truthfully, I have seen more reaction from Hep B injections, and even those are harder on the parents than on the babies. Most of the kids cry for 10 seconds tops, and many never cry at all.

That said, I don't think anyone should have to assist with the actual circ against their will. Set-up and clean-up maybe, but not with the procedure itself. Better for all involved if the assistant is calm and relaxed.

I already said this on this thread but my experience is the same. The babies rarely cry and never scream "bloody murder".

steph

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Specializes in RN CRRN.
Please, please, stop trying to use that stupid tegaderm for emla on the member. It is impossible! Do this, and the baby will have better pain control. Put the emla in a baby bottle nipple, (with the ring removed, of course) and slip the nipple over the member. Apply the diaper snuggly over the nipple, so that it stays in place. This works great! Cream stays where it is supposed to, member gets (hopefully) numb, and no fighting with tegaderm!

Nice! Or how bout cutting a finger off of a glove-may come off when they void but heck you got a glove full of fingers to use.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

An uncircumzed male might not have problems at 2, 14, or 34, but when he's 80 and can't care for himself anymore it will BE a problem. So that's one of the reasons i'm for circs and it is my personal opinion.

My advice to anyone is to do your own research and make your own conclusions. Look at PEER-REVIEWED sources for literature (AAP, JAMA, Pediatrics, etc) don't go to alarmist websites as so many have directed you too. That isn't going to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Just my opinion :)

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

My advice to anyone is to do your own research and make your own conclusions. Look at PEER-REVIEWED sources for literature (AAP, JAMA, Pediatrics, etc) don't go to alarmist websites as so many have directed you too. That isn't going to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Just my opinion :)

I strongly agree with this part of your post - cirp.org is from an anti-standpoint but it offers peer-reviewed literature from the above sources and others. No medical association recommends routine circumcision, here is a link to all the policy statements.

(I don't agree with the first part though... most men in the world are not circ'd and they appear to be doing ok, even as older dudes :) Anyone could potentially have a problem at some point in their life (including women cleaning when they are older) but we aren't just going to start cutting off body parts just in case an unlikely thing happens. If they are feeble enough that they can't clean well, they simply need help, whether they are cut or not.

Respectfully - just my opinion...

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