You are having a baby boy! That’s what the doctor has told you. Your new little baby will come to the world very soon and you will have to take a very important decision: Will you circumcise him or not?
For some women, the decision is affected by culture and religious beliefs, for others it is just an assessment of pros and cons of the procedure.
What is circumcision?
Every boy is born with a foreskin covering the head of the penis. The circumcision consists of removing this foreskin.
Why it is done?
Circumcision is done for several reasons:
Hygiene reasons
Cultural and religious beliefs
Tight foreskin called Phimosis. It would be very difficult to retract the foreskin.
Balanitis which consist of an infection under the foreskin.
How it is performed?
Usually circumcision is performed within the first 10 days of life. The doctor will inject an anesthesia into the penis to reduce the pain. Then he installs a device called Plastibell around the penis where a plastic ring is placed under the foreskin and a fine string is tied around it entrapping the foreskin. Once the foreskin is cut, it might take a week for your newborn baby to heal. The doctor will place gauze to prevent any rubbing with the diaper.
The baby will experience pain and may cry during the procedure.
How to take care of a circumcised penis?
After the procedure, it is very important to keep the area clean. Always wash with warm water and soap. Do not use wipes.
Apply gauze to reduce friction problem with the diaper. You may notice some blood spots on the diaper and it would be swollen and red for the first few days.
In case of bleeding, redness, inflammation, fever or if your baby is not urinating normally, call your doctor immediately.
Always keep in mind that there is no medical reason to perform a circumcision. It does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Seek medical advice from your doctor and pediatrician. Share your concerns with your partner and try to make a choice that is in the best for your child.