We just found out yesterday that we're having a boy! We had talked about circumcision previously and ultimately decided against it. When we called our parents to tell them the news, FIL was telling H that both their young boys have had penile infections and FIL blames it on them not being circumcised. H is now wavering, while I'm still firmly in the no camp.
So here's my questions.. 1) Has your son had penile infections or other complications? 2) Do you wish you would have circumcised?
I am not looking to start any kind of debate or argument, just looking for actual life experiences.
2. Yes, and we still might. We couldn't circ at birth because of hydroceles, and now those have cleared up but our insurance probably won't cover doing it now. For an infant, I believe the benefits outweigh the risks. As a toddler, he would likely need deep sedation, and I'm no longer sure the benefits outweigh the higher risks that come along with that. We're meeting with his urologist next month to follow up on the hydroceles and get his thoughts on circing.
No issues. DS is nearly 4. No regrets. It's very normal not to circumcise here (Canada). It's not covered by public health, so people have to pay out of pocket and mostly don't.
Logically, your real life should also look at people that had kids that experienced complications from circumcision. There are risks of doing it as well as risks of not doing it. Odds are that either would not result in complications for your sample size of one. Don't let someone bully you in your choice.
@deej - thanks! I've been here for almost a year, but pretty much only on the Getting and Got Pregnant boards. I'm starting to venture over to MMM a bit now too.
@tokenhoser - I'm in Ontario, and when I looked up the stats it seems less than 45% of people are circumcising now. H was pretty surprised when I told him it wasn't covered by OHIP since the WHO proclaimed it "not medically necessary." Before H, most of the guys I dated were intact and I don't remember them complaining of any issues.
1. DS did have an infection secondary to rotavirus. Pedi said it would/could happen regardless of circ status. It was just an unfortunate event. It did not bother him but he was pretty young (19 months).
@tokenhoser - I'm in Ontario, and when I looked up the stats it seems less than 45% of people are circumcising now. H was pretty surprised when I told him it wasn't covered by OHIP since the WHO proclaimed it "not medically necessary." Before H, most of the guys I dated were intact and I don't remember them complaining of any issues.
I think coverage and "fashion" changed a lot between the early 80's when DH was born and the early 90's when his brother was born. I have no idea why they told me this, but in his family the older 2 boys are circed and the youngest isn't.
I didn't put a lot of research into it when I found out how low rates are here (even lower in SK because of lower access to proper people to do it, I'd guess) and how much it would cost and that it had to be scheduled separately. You have to WANT to do it fairly badly (several hundred bucks and finding someone that does it and an extra appointment with a newborn). I didn't. DH didn't care much either way.
Post by bananapancakes on Mar 5, 2015 9:45:22 GMT -5
No and no. We're also in Ontario and the rates are quite low here. That being said, all of my nephews are circumcised and I received some flack from my mom about our decision not to. She eventually gave up trying to convince me once she realized I was not going to be swayed.
@tokenhoser - I'm in Ontario, and when I looked up the stats it seems less than 45% of people are circumcising now. H was pretty surprised when I told him it wasn't covered by OHIP since the WHO proclaimed it "not medically necessary." Before H, most of the guys I dated were intact and I don't remember them complaining of any issues.
I think coverage and "fashion" changed a lot between the early 80's when DH was born and the early 90's when his brother was born. I have no idea why they told me this, but in his family the older 2 boys are circed and the youngest isn't.
I didn't put a lot of research into it when I found out how low rates are here (even lower in SK because of lower access to proper people to do it, I'd guess) and how much it would cost and that it had to be scheduled separately. You have to WANT to do it fairly badly (several hundred bucks and finding someone that does it and an extra appointment with a newborn). I didn't. DH didn't care much either way.
Similar experience with my H's family. My H and his twin brother (1982) are both circumcised. Their brother (1987) is not.
No and no. We're also in Ontario and the rates are quite low here. That being said, all of my nephews are circumcised and I received some flack from my mom about our decision not to. She eventually gave up trying to convince me once she realized I was not going to be swayed.
We likely won't circumcise if we have a boy and the flack will come from DHs family - he is circed, as is his dad, nephews etc…whereas my family is not. I am interested to see how it turns out when the time comes.
Thanks everyone! My family is German, and traditionally in Europe people do not circumcise unless they're Jewish. It was kind of a no-brainer for me, but it took some convincing and data for H to look at it objectively and not just from a "my son won't look the same as me" perspective.
Thanks everyone! My family is German, and traditionally in Europe people do not circumcise unless they're Jewish. It was kind of a no-brainer for me, but it took some convincing and data for H to look at it objectively and not just from a "my son won't look the same as me" perspective.
DS has not questioned looking "different" than dad, but we're still in the "why doesn't mom have a penis" stage.
No and no. We're also in Ontario and the rates are quite low here. That being said, all of my nephews are circumcised and I received some flack from my mom about our decision not to. She eventually gave up trying to convince me once she realized I was not going to be swayed.
We likely won't circumcise if we have a boy and the flack will come from DHs family - he is circed, as is his dad, nephews etc…whereas my family is not. I am interested to see how it turns out when the time comes.
This is what will ultimately happen with H's family too. Apparently all the men are, and it's a very male-heavy family.
Although, I'm not sure why the status of my son's foreskin is any of their flipping business.
Post by noodleskooze on Mar 5, 2015 9:50:57 GMT -5
1. No problems at all 2. I'm pretty neutral on the subject, and stats are only slightly in favor of circumcision and those stats came out after we had already decided. If medical advice changes to be more in favor of circ if and when we have another boy, I am not opposed to having it done for that child.
No and no. We're also in Ontario and the rates are quite low here. That being said, all of my nephews are circumcised and I received some flack from my mom about our decision not to. She eventually gave up trying to convince me once she realized I was not going to be swayed.
We likely won't circumcise if we have a boy and the flack will come from DHs family - he is circed, as is his dad, nephews etc…whereas my family is not. I am interested to see how it turns out when the time comes.
She gave me a hard time for awhile but I just kept repeating, "You got to decide for your sons and we will decide for ours. You're not going to change my mind." She eventually gave up but not before telling me about all the horrible infections that she has seen (she's a geriatric nurse). Then once he got here and had such a rocky start, she dropped it all together. Circumsicion was not even presented as an option at Sick Kids. They are very anti any sort of elective procedure (they even left L's tongue tie). We were firmly in the no camp even before but I imagine that if we were leaning yes, we would've changed our minds after all he went through. I certainly would not have put him through an elective procedure after all he had already endured. No way, no how!
Also, I live in a 99% circ area. Stats made up, but I'm pretty sure they're close to accurate.
It was never a question to *not* circ our sons. I feel strongly that there is no reason, other than cosmetic/medical necessity for it to be done. I understand religious reasons, but I'm atheist, so I respect those religions that decide to do it.
The first penis I ever saw was non-circd. I've never thought it weird/different. It just was.
We didn't. No complications in his 18 months. I do not wish that we'd done it. I didn't have strong feelings either way, the AAP waivers between slightly pro and slightly anti, so I figured it's always something that can be done, but it can't be undone.
Also, I really hate the geriatric nurses, no offense bananapancakes, who try to use intimidation to sway decisions. By the time old people have penile infections, it can be hard to even distinguish circ/non-circ, especially if the person is heavy. A circd penis can still have foreskin that gets infected at that age due to hygiene, weight, and skin elasticity.
Vaginas are just as likely to get infected as well at that age. Anecdotally, I'd say we have exponentially more vaginal infections (thrush) or UTIs than penile infections. Again, weight plays a huge factor.
I don't have a son so I hope it is ok if I weigh in.
My older brother (born in 1979) was no circ'd at birth but when he was 6 or 7 some problems came up and he ended up getting circ'd then. I don't know the exact issues he was having as discussing my brother's penis in detail is not really something I'm interested in.
I also have a very crunchy friend who surprised me with saying she would circ. She used to be an ER nurse and saw many elderly men come in with infections and even an abcess (eeeek!). She's having a son soon after having a daughter first so not sure if she still feels that way.
We had two girls so I never had to decide for sure but I am fairly neutral on it and told my H he could make the final decision.
I feel like these horror stories stick out and are memorable but are really quite rare. We have a friend who had to be circed as an adult and he also gave us a hard time about not circing. The way I look at it is, some people have to get their tonsils, gall bladders, appendixes out as older kids/adults but we don't go removing these parts on newborns "just in case" so why do the same with foreskin? Yes, it is possible (but not likely) that it may need to be done later, but why do it "just in case"? It makes no sense to me.
my son is only ten months, but no issues or regrets. We never considered it for a second.
I've heard that a lot of issues were in the past caused by people being told to forcibly retract in order to clean it? which is no longer the recommendation. I don't have anything to back this up i just remember reading that recently and it made sense...
Thanks everyone! My family is German, and traditionally in Europe people do not circumcise unless they're Jewish. It was kind of a no-brainer for me, but it took some convincing and data for H to look at it objectively and not just from a "my son won't look the same as me" perspective.
DS has not questioned looking "different" than dad, but we're still in the "why doesn't mom have a penis" stage.
DD is in the "why don't I have pubic hair" stage, so it's always something. I wouldn't make a decision to circ or not circ on the basis of looking-like-daddy.
Eta: DS is circumcised, so I didn't answer the OP.