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Unbiased opinion: Yes, it decreases STDs, but you can argue that that is a social issue. Yes, it decreases incidence of penile cancer, but the number of cases of penile cancer is quite small. Studies have proven no change in sexual sensation. We are the only country who does it because we think it looks good. (Everyone else in the world does it for religious reasons.) So, honestly, the choice is up to you!

We didn't do it for a whole host of reasons and are very happy with that decision.

Ps - I don't agree that it looks good! Au natural all the way

My son did get a circ because DH felt strongly about it. I spoke to a pediatric urologist (also a surgeon) that I know at work and he said that basically there is no compelling reason to pick either one. Neither has particularly better outcomes. I would have rather not done it. Any time you cut the skin it opens the body up for infection risk, it is a procedure and not risk free, and plus there is the pain. I say don't put a baby through that unless you feel its necessary.

WE did, initially when I was pregnant I left the decision up to DH but as time went on I researched and decided against it. Despite this DH was VERY committed to it for some reason (primarily similar look I think). We ended up doing it and DH observed. If I could go back I would absolutely NOT do it again. It was overall the most horrifying experience of my life, whether it was the same for the baby or not. We have to make so many decisions "for" our children, I feel like this one is best left to them.

Please speak to doctors about it and do some hefty research (not hb). This is something your son will live will live with forever, so you don't want people of the internet to sway you either way (not saying any of the previous posters are trying to but it may subconsciously happen).
We circumcised but I don't feel comfortable explaining why (only because it was a religious decision and that may not apply to you). All I can say in regards to your question is: it was a 50/50 decision between my husband and I. We firmly believe both parents should research and decide together.

We did for both of our sons, my husband felt strongly about having it done, I had no preference. My husband did the research, read the journals, and we discussed it. He was present for it the first time, and I was present for it with our second son.

What we saw really wasn't traumatic to either of us, but we are both used to much more extensive medical procedures. Our pediatrician used a local anesthetic, and in my experience our son didn't even cry during the procedure. He only started crying when they put his diaper on as most newborns do, and once I picked him up he was fine. No issues with nursing and recovery was a breeze- he was all healed up within about 5 days.

Ultimately, I agree with @CupQuakeWalk: you have to decide what is right for your family, everyone's perspective is different.

@ScarletBegonia: Exactly what I was gonna post. Although we're in Germany.

It is only done for religious reasons here in the UK as well. It wasn't even on our radar (before we knew she was a girl!).

We did not, because IMO there is no compelling non-religious reason to do it. We did not feel that it was our place to modify LO's body for a purely cosmetic reason. We're very happy with our decision and will make the same one for any future sons.

I totally agree with @CupQuakeWalk as well;definitely do your own research (both you and your DH) and make sure you're on the same page, whatever your decision.

We did it and I 100% do not regret having it done.

Just a note of advice: if you do have it done, there is some maintenance to ensure nothing tries to "reattach", haha, so make sure you know what you're doing!

@Adira: yeah, I was NOT expecting to have to do that. *shudder*

We did, and honestly it wasn't even up for debate. It was just kind of understood! I think it is not only a religious thing, but a regional one as well. DH and I both born & raised in the south..I think a great majority of people here are circumcised. In fact, I don't really recall being asked if we planned to do it, just asked when we wanted the appointment!

@Adira: @MrsTiz: wait, I don't think I had to do anything. Or maybe I did and I forgot it in the fog of having a newborn? Anyway everything is AOK.

Here's it's cultural as well. It's pretty much expected. My husband wanted to do it and I was fine with it. I'm glad we did it. I know it's just an anecdote but I have a friend (older) with a son who resented not being circumcised his whole life (peer pressure/cultural expectation) and when he was a senior in high school he had it done during his spring break, which of course was MUCH more complicated and I think he even had to stay in the hospital.

@shortcake: there are no health benefits to circumcision. There is not a health organization in the world that recommends it. Our hospitals hold newborn classes and the nurse said straight up that there is no health benefit to removing. We live next to a world class research medical facility so I take their word.

Personally I find it cruel and unnecessary short of religious reasons.

@Greentea: That's not true (that there are no health benefits).

Here's the AAP's stance on circumcision:

"Systematic evaluation of English-language peer-reviewed literature from 1995 through 2010 indicates that preventive health benefits of elective circumcision of male newborns outweigh the risks of the procedure. Benefits include significant reductions in the risk of urinary tract infection in the first year of life and, subsequently, in the risk of heterosexual acquisition of HIV and the transmission of other sexually transmitted infections... Although health benefits are not great enough to recommend routine circumcision for all male newborns, the benefits of circumcision are sufficient to justify access to this procedure for families choosing it..."

@Smurfette: Same. When I mentioned to a few friends that it was up for debate for us, they looked at me like I had 15 heads. That is not THE reason we decided to do it, but it certainly played into our decision - we didn't want D to be the "weirdo" who isn't circumcised among his friends.

We did it and I do not regret it. Not even a little. D didn't react at all to the procedure and we had absolutely no issues with it afterwards. If we have another boy, we will do it again.

@Greentea: http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/

The last thing I want to do is get into a debate as I feel pretty neutral, but I felt compelled to post that....

@MrsTiz: Oops, definitely didn't do that. All is well though!

@Espion: America isn't the only country that does it for non-religious reasons. There are huge campaigns in Africa to promote circumcision in both adults and baby's because it reduces the chance of HIV transmission.

@shortcake: Yes but usually it requires hospitalization and a lot of drugs. It's more complicated later in life but some do have to do it.