Did you circumcise?

Question

If you did or did not I would love to hear why. I’m due 2/21 and we have yet to make a decision.

Answer

It is a largely cultural thing in the US. Circumcision really had no true benefit. The AAP doesn't recommend it, and doesn't condemn it. Instead, they ride the fence saying the potential benefits outweigh the risks. However, the small benefit is the miniscule chance that it will prevent UTI in childhood and/or STI in men. You can achieve both of these with proper hygiene and safe-sex practices.
The truth is, however, that foreskin has a specific role to play in hygiene, sexual function, and protection of the glans. My husband and I nearly circumcised our first-born son because I thought the exact same thing, "I'll let my husband decide. He has a penis." Let me tell you, he was no more educated about it than myself. It was done to him because, and I quote my mother-in-law here, "I just wanted him to look like his dad." I don't know about anyone else, but I don't have an obsession with my daughter and I matching in how our bodies look. And it had never become an issue with my husband and son. In fact, my husband said he doesn't ever remember seeing his dad's penis, and my husband is extremely shy about his body. He has never been naked around our babies, so my son doesn't even know there is a difference.
He knows there is a difference between himself and his sister, and he couldn't care less. This is just food for thought about that whole matching penis argument.
I took an active role in researching the benefits and risks of circumcision and ended up telling my husband that we needed to look into it together since I am the mother and have a responsibility to be informed before deciding to remove a part of my baby's body shortly after birth. We read about studies from outside of the US, because we found it suspicious that only US boys are routinely circumcised (other than countries with high concentrations of people who do it for religious reasons.) As it turns out, many medical organizations in other countries DO NOT recommend routine circumcision. Even AAP doesn't say outright that it should be done.
What sealed the deal for us, however, was watching a video of the procedure. I highly recommend this to anyone who is trying to decide what to do. It is important to understand what is happening to our babies at all times, and this is no different. When we saw the procedure, it solidified our understanding of how our baby's body is born perfect, and that we have no right to choose something so invasive and traumatic for him when he cannot consent. 
I now have one intact toddler (btw, he has just turned 3 and has had absolutely 0 problems with UTI, infection, or anything else), and his brother who is due any moment now will also remain intact.
Incidentally, my husband does have issues with dryness and irritation. He didn't know this was a result of lack of foreskin until we looked into this matter together. He is totally okay, and lives life without really thinking about it, but he told me that he wishes his parents would have just left it the way it was created.

Answer

I'd also look into evidence based birth's great breakdown of the research and ethics of this practice.
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-and-ethics-on-circumcision/

Answer

There was no need for it. If he wants to make the choice to get it done he can. He's 22 now and hasn't had a single issue. It's not a necessary procedure.

Answer

I’m due on March 1st with our first son, we plan on having him circumcised.

Answer

I let my husband “decide” but would have intervened if he had chosen differently. I looked into what would be involved and tried to imagine witnessing it and I couldn’t even stomach that so couldn’t do it to my son. Also, from what I found in researching, I can’t say I see the point and find it could only cause harm or take something away for his future I have no right to take just because it is more familiar to me.

Answer

I let my husband make the decision and educate me on the benefits of doing so with my first son. Our second, due in two weeks, will also be circumcised

Answer

Honestly, I let my husband decide.

Did you circumcise?

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