Circumcision - The Facts

If you are pregnant and know that you are going to have a son, one of the first decisions that you will need to make after his birth is whether or not you want your infant to be circumcised. There are many arguments for and against the procedure, so it may help you to understand exactly what it is for and why many people choose to have it done.

When a baby boy is born, his penis has a foreskin covering its head. A circumcision is the surgical procedure that the doctor can perform to remove your son's excess skin before he leaves the hospital. One of the advantages to having the foreskin removed is the reduced risk of your baby developing a urinary tract infection during the first year of his life. As your son becomes an adult, some studies have shown that he will also have less of a chance of developing penile cancer or of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

In the past, circumcisions were performed without any anesthetic as doctors felt that the baby felt only slight pain. Now it is general practice to numb the area, either with a topical cream or an anesthetic that is directly injected into the child.

The procedure itself has all the same risks that accompany any type of surgery. Complications from a circumcision can include minor bleeding and possible infection, although these can be easily remedied by the doctor.

After a circumcision, special care will be needed when cleaning your son's penis area. You should keep the area clean with warm soap and water and avoid using diaper wipes. If the doctor has placed a bandaged on the area, you will need to make sure that you put on a fresh one every time you change him. You can also use a small amount of petroleum jelly on the inside of his diaper or on the new bandage to prevent the sore area from rubbing and creating friction, which can cause your little one additional discomfort.

Immediately following the procedure, the penis may appear to be red and swollen. A small amount of blood or yellow discharge in his diaper is not uncommon as well. You will need to keep an eye on the area and take him to the doctor if it begins to look infected or if he does not seem to be urinating properly. You will also need to check him for a fever, as this is also a sign that an infection may be beginning.

The decision to have a child circumcised is usually based on religious and cultural beliefs. While the procedure is common in North America and the Middle East, in other areas of the world it is not usually performed. Again, while some studies seem to prove that the surgery is beneficial to the baby's health, these results are not conclusive. As there is no proof that an uncircumcised penis is detrimental to a male's health, the decision to have the procedure performed is entirely up to you.

A circumcision is entirely a personal choice for the parents of male babies. If you are not sure about having the procedure done, you can discuss it with your doctor who can explain it fully to you as well as the risks and possible benefits that are involved to help you make the decision that is best for you and you baby.