circumcision

So my husband and I are preg. with twin boys. Circumcision has NEVER been a discussion because it has been common knowledge with us that we would circumcise the boys. I was talking to my co-worker, who is pregnant with a boy and due in weeks, about this topic and she said that they aren't cicumcising their son. Her husband didn't want their son to be circumcised because he said he heard it makes for better sex, and that God created the boys with the foreskin and not for it to be taken off. I am confused on why someone would not do this for their son.

I was wondering if any of you guys had opinions on this and what are the pros and cons on circumsion.

 

I don't have links to the pro's and cons, but I can only tell you our reasoning to not circumsize. We didn't see a really good reason to circ. our son. We wanted to leave him the way God created him. Another thing is that in the country my husband {and all of my family} is from it is not a tradition to circumsize, so we didn't have a good reason to do it. I do think it's a personal choice, and I hope someone can give you the answers/links you are looking for. Good luck with your decision.

 

We circumsized my son, it is something that we just do. I will circumcize my son if one or both of these babies are boys. It is partly a cultural thing and partly and health and sanitation thing. They are far less prone to infections and such from the extra crevices created by the foreskin. Good luck in your decision making process. I would definitely research it and make a choice based on that.

 

My DS is circumcised. It never crossed our minds not to do it.

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ Jan 23 2008, 09:03 PM) [snapback]586723[/snapback]
My DS is circumcised. It never crossed our minds not to do it.


Same here.

Michael was actual too small (poor guy!) when he was born to be circumcised in the hospital. So my OB circumcised him at my follow-up appointment in his office.

 

I agree that it is a personal choice, so you and your DH should do what you want.

Both my boys are circumcised. It was not a question in my house, we just knew we would do it.

 

I think it's a personal choice. Most countries do NOT do routine circumcision and now the APA does not endorse it. Many hospitals also do not do routine circumcision in the hospital anymore either.

I'm actually glad I don't have to think about this one! I can see both sides, and it would be tough to decide!

 

I never thought about it, until our last PG. My husband was/is vehemently opposed to circumcision, and I'm fine with that. I'm a nurse, and I see it as an unneccesary surgery. Some people will try to argue that it's cleaner ... I disagree-- I've seen plenty of men who weren't cleaner, simply because of being circumcised.
Ultimately, it's your personal decision, and one you don't have to answer to anyone else for. I've seen plenty of moms take a lot of heat from their family members. I don't plan to mention it, personally, unless someone asks me.

 

My son was circumsized and the twins will be circumsized, too.

Little story for ya: My step-grandfather was uncircumsized. A few years ago he started having problems "down there" with repeat infections, even though he was meticulous about hygiene. So at 77 years old, he was circumsized. He said the recovery was the most miserable experience of his life.

 

It's definatley a personal choice. If it were only up to me I wouldn't have my boys circumcised. I'm a nurse and have seen a lot of penises :lol... It generally doesn't seem to make much difference in hygiene. If it were only up to me I don't think I would have the guts to put my boys through the pain. BUT my husband is circumcised and I left the decision up to him. So that being said, he will be taking the boys to the appointment.

 

We decided against circumcision after reading tons of pros and cons.

Only the US and Israel routinely circumcise. We just felt it was unnecessary surgery. All the talk about cleanliness is a bit strange considering that a penis is easy to keep clean. A woman's anatomy is much harder to clean but no one would advocate surgery on their daughter for reasons of cleanliness.

The decision was made for us in a way. When my boys were born in Nebraska in 2003, neither my OB nor the babies' ped would perform the surgery. So it was either find another doctor who would after we were discharged or forgo the surgery. There was no way I was tracking down another doctor in the winter during a flu epidemic. So any doubts about not doing the surgery were relieved by the simple fact that seeking out the surgery was more trouble than it was worth.

 

We aren't circumcising our boys either. I left it up to my husband, who is, and he decided no. I read all the articles he read and agree with his decision.
We did JOKE for a while that we would circumcise one and not the other so we could always tell them apart. LOL!

evie

 

I just wanted to add this quote I found. The best I can tell God did not want baby boys to be left as they were!


“Circumcision” was the ceremony of cutting off the foreskin of a male's penis. This was a common rite among many people in the ancient Near East, though the reasons why are not clear. It may be that the blood of a circumcision was thought to have protective power, as when Zipporah circumcised her son to protect Moses from death (Exod 4.24-26).

Circumcision is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with God's promise to make Abraham's descendants a great nation and to give them a land they could call their own. In return, Abraham and his descendants were to obey God. To show that they were keeping their promise to God, every male descendant of Abraham was to be circumcised (Gen 17.1-14). Even non-Israelite men who wanted to be part of the Israelite people were to be circumcised (Gen 34.21-24). Circumcision became a requirement of the Law of Moses (Lev 12.3). The New Testament reports that both John the Baptist and Jesus were circumcised eight days after being born (Luke 1.59; 2.21).

The prophet Jeremiah warned that the outward practice of circumcision alone was not a true sign of being one of God's people, since other nations also practiced circumcision. The important thing was to worship God. His strong words to the people of Judah were, “Your bodies are circumcised, but your hearts are unchanged” (Jer 9.25-26). Later, he described a final and permanent renewal of the agreement with God that would be written on the people’s “hearts and minds” (Jer 31.31-34). The writer of Hebrews in the New Testament used Jeremiah's words to back up his message that the first agreement based on God's Law has been replaced by a new agreement brought by Christ (Heb 8.1-13).

The practice of circumcision caused arguments and division among early Christians. Some Jewish Christians who had lived according to the Law of Moses felt that they and any Gentile (non-Jewish) follower of Christ should obey all the Jewish laws and practice all its rituals, including circumcision (Acts 11.1,2; 21.17-24). Others, especially the apostle Paul, challenged the belief that Gentiles had to be circumcised in order to be acceptable to God. Paul had been circumcised and was a strict follower of the Law of Moses (Phil 3.2-6). But he came to believe that Gentile men could be acceptable to God and become part of God's true people, even if they were not circumcised. Paul argued that being circumcised is worthwhile only if a person can obey the whole Law of Moses. If someone does not obey the whole Law, circumcision cannot make that person “a real Jew.” Like Jeremiah, he believed true circumcision is something that happens in the heart (Rom 2.25-29). People are acceptable to God, not by doing everything the Law requires, but because they have faith (Rom 3.28; Phil 3.7-9).

Paul also criticized people he called “troublemakers,” Jews who insisted that Gentile believers must practice the Jewish rites, such as circumcision (Gal 1.6-9; 6.12-14; Phil 3.2). Paul said it was wrong for them to argue that being circumcised was the way to “complete” what God's Spirit started (Gal 3.1-3). In the end, Paul said simply, “It doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not. All that matters is that you are a new person” (Gal 6.15).

 

QUOTE(Mellizos @ Jan 24 2008, 10:44 AM) [snapback]587005[/snapback]
We decided against circumcision after reading tons of pros and cons.

Only the US and Israel routinely circumcise. We just felt it was unnecessary surgery. All the talk about cleanliness is a bit strange considering that a penis is easy to keep clean. A woman's anatomy is much harder to clean but no one would advocate surgery on their daughter for reasons of cleanliness.


Actually, I thought most muslims also circumcize..which would mean it's pretty common in those countries as well.

It's a personal choice... I left it up to my dh, who comes from a culture where it's not common to circumcise....my dh decided he wanted our ds to be circumcised. I didn't get into all the reasons why he felt this way...I think they were numerous. And I left it up to dh to discuss the topic with his family if it came up. This is a heated topic for some. But I for one believe that male circumcision cannot be compared to female circumcision...I think that is an offensive comparison, IMHO. They are absolutely not even in the same ballpark of equivalents. And those comments would really steam me if the reason for our circumcision were religious, which it wasn't...

 

It really is a personal choice. Some people do it for religious reasons, others do it for hygeine reasons , others do it for their own reasons. We didn't even really discuss it, we just both knew that we would circumcise both of our sons.

This is one of those subjects that some people get very passionate about on one side or the other, for us it was a non issue.

 

My son isn't circumcised because his father isn't. When I was pregnant with him over 4 years ago I knew nothing about circumcision so I did a lot of reading on the pros and cons. The main negative that I read about was that uncircumcised boys (men) have a higher rate of contacting std's. For me personally, this wasn't a good enough reason. Most of the moms I know who have boys and chose circumcision did so because they felt their son(s) should look like their father. I think it's something you and your husband will have to decide together. I will say that I've read that the number of uncircumcised boys is on the rise. One thing I read was parents being concerned about their son being the only one in the locker room who was uncircumcised and being teased about it.

I hope you and your husband come to the decision that's best for you and your baby boy.

 

We will not be circumcising.
We had done a good deal of research when pregnant with our oldest.
It is an elective proceedure that is now for the most part being listed as cosmetic.
The penis is self cleaning and when treated properly there are no issues. Most of the issues lie in medical professionals that are not fully educated in penile care! Many pedi's fall into this realm sad to say!

 

I believe I read somewhere in a hospital pamplet that in 1998 or 1999 it was noted as a "purely cosmetic" procedure.. All 3 of my boys are uncircumsized.

Not that I am thinking this far ahead (hioing my boys will never get old enough for sex) but occording to Dr. Oz, men who are not circumsized feel more pleasure in sex because the head is the sensitive part of the penis and because it is not exposed often but during sex it is extra pleasureable. This is not the reason my boys are uncut however.

 

QUOTE(jasonsmommy @ Jan 24 2008, 10:03 AM) [snapback]587245[/snapback]
I believe I read somewhere in a hospital pamplet that in 1998 or 1999 it was noted as a "purely cosmetic" procedure.. All 3 of my boys are uncircumsized.

Not that I am thinking this far ahead (hioing my boys will never get old enough for sex) but occording to Dr. Oz, men who are not circumsized feel more pleasure in sex because the head is the sensitive part of the penis and because it is not exposed often but during sex it is extra pleasureable. This is not the reason my boys are uncut however.



I've heard the same thing. I think my MIL told my husband this when he was a teenager. I know when I had my son over 4 years ago the nurses must of asked me a hundred times, "He's not being circumcised?" I was so scared that they'd do it any way the way they were acting.

 

QUOTE
My DS is circumcised. It never crossed our minds not to do it.


DITTO! Cultural and Hygienic reasons also..I also know two women whose DH's had to eventually get it done when they had problems as adults with infections and such.

 

Our first son was circ. after a lot of thought and I wish that we hadn't. Our next 2 sons are not and we are so glad we didn't. DH is circ. and we have no problems with having differences in our house.

I do not believe that they were born wrong.

 

I think it is a personal choice and noone should have to justify why... We did and never questioned it to be honest... He was 2 months old actually and he healed just fine and never cried... They called him a quiet angel... I can say that my brother and father are not and my brother said he wished he was... He has had LOTS of issues with it and is a very clean person... My boss's son had it done at 13 and to be it was torture to him... WIth that said it is totaly just what you want, as the mother and father it is your choice and noone elses...

Good luck!

 

Hi there,
More and more people are opting not to have their boys circumsized... I really felt ambivalent toward the subject so I let my husband decide since he has the equipment. SO, he said he wanted to have them circumcised and we did. Now that they have been I am really glad. It turns out that the Doctor that did the circumcision for our babies had to have his dome at 13 due to infection and our Brother-in-law had to have his done @ 19 for the same reason. According to medical research they are saying that there really is not much medical reason to circumcise anymore, but there are two men that I found out about within days of our boys being circumcised that would say otherwise. Anyway, I am really glad that we did it so that if there was some reason that they needed it done later on in life they will not remember it and it is not as difficult a procedure at birth.

Also, although this does not pertain to the man's health there is a very good reason that women should seriously consider circumcision. It has been shown that women who are with men who are not circumcised have a higher incidence of vaginal infections. Apparently, men can carry bacteria that can cause infections in women without actually getting the infection themselves.

 

DH & I both talked about it, although there never really was a issue with either of us to have our son done. I guess one of the reasons that stuck out was that our son would look like his daddy.

 

When I had my son 8 years ago I went through the same dilemas trying to decided what I should do. My final decision was that his daddy wasnt so he wasnt going to be. Well at about 9 months old my son Noah was having issues cause there was a part of the skin on one side that was attached and would not go down, it was very high and caused a concern. So he had to get circumcised at about 11 months old. It was harder on me than Noah. the took him in and put him under anethesia and he a woke confused and I was blaming myself. They gave me codine for pain but Noah was playing around like nothing ever happen

When my 2nd son Anthony was born I just decided to just have it done. Now with the twins Adrian & Brody I will do the same.

There are SO SO many decision as a parent that we have to make, go with your instinct.

 

QUOTE(Stephanie1074 @ Jan 24 2008, 07:22 PM) [snapback]587686[/snapback]
It has been shown that women who are with men who are not circumcised have a higher incidence of vaginal infections. Apparently, men can carry bacteria that can cause infections in women without actually getting the infection themselves.


To quote good ol' Dirty Harry. Opinions are like A#%holes, some just stink more.
Well imo, I've been with my dh for 15 yrs and have never had a vaginal infection. If what you say is true and the other comment on higher std's, then all countries not circumcising would have a huge crisis on their hands. And clinic's would be over run by woman with infections.
And by the way, for sex, it is more pleasurable for men who aren't done.Since they still have their convertible top, the prize inside is very sensitive. Dr. Oz is 100% correct.

 

Dax is circumcised. I take part in a lot of natural parenting groups and read Mothering Magazine so it crossed my mind for a very short time not to do it but not for long. Run a search on google and you can find many reasons to circumcise and many not to so you just have to decide which are more important to you and not worry about the pressures of others.

 

We are having twin boys, we are not circ'ing them. I left it up to my hubby.

Dianna

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ Jan 23 2008, 09:03 PM) [snapback]586723[/snapback]
My DS is circumcised. It never crossed our minds not to do it.


same here - I more or less left it up to DH since I'm not the one with the penis!

 

QUOTE
men who are not circumsized feel more pleasure in sex because the head is the sensitive part of the penis and because it is not exposed often but during sex it is extra pleasureable.


As if men really need more pleasure during sex!!

 

My DS is done there wasnt a question for us, we did it for health reasons, and cultural. and we both felt more comfortable doing it that way.

 

Our boys are not circumcised. Primarily because that's how they are born, why mess with nature? Just our opinion.

 

QUOTE(walker006 @ Jan 24 2008, 09:03 PM) [snapback]587909[/snapback]
And by the way, for sex, it is more pleasurable for men who aren't done.Since they still have their convertible top, the prize inside is very sensitive. Dr. Oz is 100% correct.


How do you know??? have you surveyed hundreds of them and some how had them rate their pleasure on a scale of 1 to 10??? You are also expressing an opinion here which even under scientific study really can't be confirmed...everyone rates pleasure and pain differently, and there really is no good way of measuring either. If men who are circumcised aren't getting much pleasure then i'm sure circumcision aside from religious reasons would've done away with long ago.

My personal experience also tells me that women who are married to a man who isn't circumcised don't get more vaginal infections...but that's just my personal experience. It'd be much easier to do a study on whether or not lack of circumcision causes more vaginal infections than it would be to do a study on whether or not circumcision impacts pleasure. (In order to really do this you'd have to take an uncircumcised man, have him rate his pleasure...then circumcise him, give him a chance to heal, and have him rate his pleasure...doubt they'll be too many study volunteers!) So we can all be nice when offering our opinions on this issue. And perhaps if any of us wish to post something as a scientific fact we can throw in a link to the actual study done. This is a sensitive topic and I don't think either side of the fence has enough scientfic evidence to either condemn circumcision or to promote it. It's all anectdotal, personal opinions and preferences all of which are equally valid. So let's stay nice!

 

We did-my husband is so we figured so should our son. Personal choice...no right or wrong.

 

It is a personal choice. My DS is and so will my twin boy when he is born. I have always grown up with that belief, and so has my DH. It was never really an issue with us. I have noticed many more boys not having it done over the last year, as I work at a daycare. I don't know the stats, but I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. Yes, God made us the way he did, but there are times when we have to do a little fine tuning! As I said before, it is a personal choice and you should do what is right for you and your family.