From: barb@sq.sq.com (Barbara Burrows)
Subject: Re: A few facts about circumcision
Organization: SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, Canada
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 15:42:16 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.205648.9789@u.washington.edu> lcheap@cac.washington.edu (Laurel Cheap ) writes:
>In article <1992Dec17.142721.9611@nynexst.com>, clare@nynexst.com (Clare Chu) writes:
>
>|>   I agree.  People can all have opinions.  Only I feel that parents
>|>   should have to watch their children get circumcision.  Apparently
>|>   people who do it for religious reasons do watch and are comfortable
>|>   with it.  But people who get it done in the hospital don't watch,
>|>   and don't know what goes on. 
>. . .
>
>OK, I was going to stay out of this one but I can't let this one go without
>a comment.
>

	Oh Lord....I wasn't going to make any comments on this one
	either........but, I'm weak.

>We chose to have our son circumcised for reasons that are our own and may
>not be everyone else's.  We had it done *in the hospital* and we *watched*.
>I think the above statements need a few qualifications.
>
[Stuff Deleted]

	Most of my friends (the new age sensitive types anyway) chose
	not to circumcise their little guys.  My husband wanted to
	have our son circumcised (because he was...and cause he FELT
	it was healthier....yes, yes, yes I know) and I was ambivalent.  
	I've only had experience (limited!) with circumcised males and 
	felt I'd be more comfortable if we had it done....BUT!...I 
	reeeaaaallly hated the idea of bringing a baby into the world...
	welcoming him...and then hurting him.  I asked my Obstetrician for
	opinions and a recommendation of who she'd suggest.  We met
	with him and discussed it at length....he says it's sort
	of a trend thing....for a few years people swing toward getting
	it done....then for a few years the swing is against it.  He
	didn't persuade us either way.  In the end....24 hours after
	he was born....the Doctor came for the little guy....took him to
	get it done and was back within 15 minutes.  I was a wreck
	but the baby was sleeping peacefully.  The Doctor said most
	babies start to cry when their clothes are removed and they 
	are strapped down.  He told me that MY baby stayed asleep
	through the whole thing.  Maybe he tells everyone that...
	but boy did I feel bad about it at the time.  I also cried
	when I was first shown how to change the gauze....so did he
	(the baby....not the doctor)....but it healed very quickly
	and nicely....but I was very very careful about cleanliness..
	and care.
	
	A couple of notes.  The nurse who showed me how to change
	the gauze said the Doctor who had done it was great and had
	done a beautiful job with him (I think so too 8-})...BUT!..
	she also said....good thing you didn't get Dr. SoandSo to
	do it....sometimes he's a disaster....I don't remember the details...
	but she said there'd been complaints.  So, I'm really
	glad I asked my Doctor for recommendations.
	
	Also, friends of ours had a real dispute over getting their
	little guy done.  The husband really wanted it done...the wife
	did not.  He wanted his son to be like him....which was circumcised.
	She won.....and it's a non-issue for them....he got use to the
	son he had.  Period.  So, the familiarity thing, I think,
	is probably not a reasonable argument.

	And, though I was a nervous wreck about it at the time....I'm
	happy we've had it done.  If I ever had another son (which would
	be nice but verrrry unlikely) I'd probably do it again.

>A parent has to make the choices that are what they think are best for
>their child given their history, family situation and personal beliefs.
>-Laurel

	In the end....once again....it's about choices...and you do
	what you think is right for you and yours....and pray for the best.


					|
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	Barbara				| Deck the halls
					| With boughs of holly....
					|
					| That ought to hide the
					| dust and fingerprints quite
					| nicely thank you
					|
					| Fa la la la la la la la ZZzzzz
					|