Genital Integrity

Comment

Comment by Jennifer C on August 9, 2009 at 8:51am

Comment by Jennifer C on August 9, 2009 at 8:51am

Comment by Jennifer C on August 9, 2009 at 6:42am

Janell, if you wish to learn about circumcision and the common myths I will be happy to answer your questions. You can also find some excellent resources in the discussion area where I have posted the Top 12 Myths About Circumcision and the Intact Male. On the other hand, if you mind is closed to this evidence-based information this group is probably not the place for you. Best wishes!

Comment by Jennifer C on August 8, 2009 at 7:10pm

Hi Laura! I almost missed your post. Welcome to the group and thank you for sharing your story. I know it is hard to admit when we as parents make mistakes. It really does take a truly wise person to come to understand their mistakes and to make CHANGE! I have so many friends who unknowingly circed their first son and then received the right information to be able to protect their subsequent sons. Your decision to be information-seeking is the mark of a truly wonderful mother. As your sons grow you can instill bodily integrity into them and stop the cycle in your family. There is so much you can do to help this cause, both within your own family and beyond. I'm very happy to have you here!

Comment by Jennifer C on August 8, 2009 at 6:57pm

I would like to remind our members that this group is for members who understand that every child regardless of sex deserves the right to decide over their own body. No father or mother can make a decision to alter their child's body based on their own personal preference or experience. Regardless of whether it is a father or mother, NO ONE has the right to make this decision for a non-consenting minor. By giving this choice to the child you are respecting their human right to make a serious decision about the function and appearance of their most private area. It is okay to ask questions about certain aspects of circumcision for the purpose of becoming informed in this group. In fact, I encourage information-seeking parents to come here and ask their questions. However, this group will not host discussions that defend routine infant circumcision (RIC) or paint RIC as a parental choice. Genital reduction surgery is only a personal choice for the owner of the body.

Brandi, I hear so many stories like yours! Most Dads who originally wanted to circ just can't imagine harming their child once he is born. When moms come to me worried about their potentially hostile husband I often tell them that once the baby is born husbands usually come around and even celebrate the fact that their child was left perfectly whole, just as nature intended. You will see that as your son grows your husband will become very proud that you guys left the choice to him. :) Isn't it a wonderful feeling!

Comment by Brandi Frey on August 8, 2009 at 4:46pm

I just had my baby on July 15th and it was a boy. My husband and I fought about the circumcision issue while I was pregnant (him wanting to and me not), but once he was born it became no issue. Our baby was so precious and perfect to us once we saw him for the first time, that we could never imagine ever hurting or altering him. The thought of it made both of us sick to our stomachs. Don't other people feel this way? It was enough to change my husband's mind.

I've heard both sides of the issue over and over, and my bottom line is how can people do this to such a pure, innocent, precious little baby?? I never knew how I would feel when I first saw my baby, but I was so in love with him from the moment I saw him, I just can't imagine wanting to mutilate his perfect little body. People never talk about it from this standpoint, which I find interesting. My love for my baby is so overpowering, I just can't imagine it!!

Comment by Dee F. on August 7, 2009 at 8:35pm

Janell, Does that in any way make it less of a human rights violation in your opinion?

Comment by Laura Morales on August 7, 2009 at 5:58pm

Hi, I'm Laura. I have 2 sons and I am a SAHM and work at a pre-k 2 days a week during the school year. I've been on the site for a couple months but I just found this group. I know people have a lot of strong opinions on this subject(as well they should), but I always like to hear from people who feel the same about this as I do. With my 1st son I didn't know of the options for him regarding circ or with me regarding birthing and drugs. I just though everyone got an epi and if you had a boy they all got a circ. Well, then I had a nephew born and they had a natural birth and no circ. Shortly after I got prego again and I just knew I was having another boy . My husband did research and we came to the conclusion that we were not gonna circ this son and I felt so guilty for doing it to my other son I was literally sick to my stomach. I think the breast feeding issues from my 1st son were because of the circ and the epi cause I had no problem breastfeeding my 2nd. We are trying for #3 and if its a boy(but we are hoping for a girl this time) we will be have a birth at a birthing center and will def not circ. Looking forward to talking with you all!

Comment by Jennifer C on August 6, 2009 at 8:19am

Newcomers please introduce yourselves. I'd love to get to know everyone! :D

Comment by Jennifer C on July 9, 2009 at 2:09pm

Edi,
There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that an infant will feel less pain if he is circumcised closer to the time of the birth. Studies already have concluded that the nerve receptors that feel pain are well developed by the time a fetus is 22 weeks. This is simply a way doctors can get parents to consent to a circ when it will be done at the hospital behind closed doors. In fact a circ right after birth would be the WORST time because just the act of straightening a newborns limbs, which is done when they are strapped to the circumstraint, is very uncomfortable. A baby has spent over nine months with their limbs in the flexed position, suddenly straightening them and strapping them down is very traumatic. Ideally, if a parent is absolutely dead set on circing their child and no amount of evidence can convince them otherwise, the following steps are recommended:

1. Do not circumcise your son for the first few weeks of his life. Hospital circumcisions are not only very traumatic and painful for newborns but they carry extremely high risks of complications. There is absolutely not reason to circumcise in the first days of life. Along with the high risks and trauma, it disrupts breastfeeding and sleep patterns. Studies show that this form of birth trauma even prevents some infant boys from establishing a breastfeeding relationship. Please wait until your son is at least 4 week old. This will not only give you the opportunity to see how easy it is to care for an intact boy it will allow him some time to adjust to life in the outside world and solidify a breastfeeding relationship. Remember you don't need to do anything to care for an intact boy. Only clean what is seen and never attempt to retract the foreskin (it is fused to glans).

Quick intact care video (2mins): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=367CR4EqyWo&feature=PlayList&p=F1E8C6E2FD83716C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20

2. Do not allow your OB to perform this surgery. This is a very serious operation. Seek out a highly qualified pediatric urologist to perform the operation when he is a few weeks old. Be familiar with which type of circumcision your surgeon will be doing. Here are the two most common:

Video of a Plastibell Circumcision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MLtxCwdMv0
Video of a Gomco Clamp Circumcision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwBCElbVkuY&feature=related

3. Insist that a penile nerve block be used for anesthetic. A numbing cream is not sufficient. If the surgeon refuses or if he otherwise downplays or dismisses the importance of anesthesia, look for another surgeon. A numbing cream can be used before the needle is injected into the base of the penis to reduce the discomforts. Pain relief should also be given in the recovery period. While a completely painless circumcision is impossible, you will significantly reduce the pain if you follow this step.

4. Both parents should be with your son during the circumcision. You must be there to see exactly what is happening behind closed doors. I can not express to you how important this is to ensure that the proper pain relief is provided. Remember this is going to be very real for your son, stepping out into the waiting room does not change what is happening. Be with him! If you are not in the room you can never know what really happened.

5. Remember most importantly that this surgery is 100% unnecessary and removes a functional part of the sex organ. You don't have to put your son or yourselves through this unnecessary operation. Circumcision of a non-consenting individual takes away the individual's right to decide over the function and appearance of their most private area.

I've found that following these steps is the best way to insure a circumcision is the least painful and traumatic for the baby. Though a painless circ is impossible, as I stated previously, it can reduce the amount of trauma. The amount of pain, however, has no bearing on the fact that amputation of functional, healthy genital tissue is a violation of a person's basic human right to their body. :(

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