What you need to know Approved by the BabyCenter Advisory Board Find out what circumcision involves, what the health benefits are, and other things to consider when you're deciding whether to have it done.
Circumcision involves removing the foreskin , which shields the head of the penis.
Some parents choose circumcision because it's an important and ancient ritual, while others choose it because they believe it has health advantages. Circumcision is a personal decision that you should make based on your own beliefs and after talking with your doctor. Talk to your spouse, your pediatrician, your family and friends, and, if you're religious, the leader of your congregation to discuss whether circumcision is the right choice for you. Between 1989 and February 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy had been that the potential medical benefits of circumcision outweighed most of the risks. The AAP now says that the choice is best left up to parents, who should make an informed decision based on possible health benefits and risks, as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions.