https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:41:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091470 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:51:31 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1091470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't even watch this! I was in the room during my sons circ and I am forever traumatized by the experience. I absolutely regret it and I wish I had known more when I agreed to go though with it. Do I think my son will ever remember or care? Doubtful. Do I think it's bad or wrong to make the choice for yourself? No. I think there are some advantages to it that make sense for some. My son looks great but he was perfect the way he was born. I let my husband decide because he was the one with the penis and that day haunts me. It hurts my heart and I still wish I could undo it. I am so nervous that it will be an awful battle with my husband if we have another boy and he wants them to look the same. It makes me sick just thinking about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091465 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:47:39 +0000 anonysquire 1091465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: yes. My husband was in incredible amounts of pain and has scarring that make him self conscious too. It doesn't bother me either way but I don't want our kids to possibly have to go through the same thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091439 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:22:22 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1091439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I try to be very neutral in my counseling to families and I don't get to have strong feelings of my own on the issue at this point, since I have only girls :)</p> <p>If we had a boy, I was going to leave the decision to Mr. Jacks, even though he would try to push me to make the decision. I'd provide him with the data and let him sort it out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091436 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:19:15 +0000 Arden 1091436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As much as the research means to me (and it does mean a lot!), for me it comes down to bodily integrity. </p> <p>I cannot in good concience change my child's body (irreparably) without his consent. That decision lies in his hands alone, when he is old enough to make it for himself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091434 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:15:17 +0000 Arden 1091434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Thank you for weighing in. Seeing physicians supporting opposite sides of the discussion is actually quite helpful, since you guys tend to cite studies that I personally really appreciate.</p> <p>My own research leads me to agree with your comments regarding the currently available studies on circ. and STD's - they are weak at best, inaccurate and misleading at worst. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091425 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 22:52:48 +0000 deerylou 1091425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: Love your last response; I so agree with your sentiments.</p> <p>Should we have sons in the future, we will not circumcise. We see no reason, as we don't feel any religious, cultural, or medical obligation to do so. I do, however, support a parent's right to choose what is best for their boys, and their families, without judgement. </p> <p>We will teach our sons proper, genital hygiene, starting from a young age. My husband is not circumcised, and has been playing competitive sports his entire life. He never experienced any locker room teasing, and has always had excellent....penile health? Ha.</p> <p>Speaking to the STD argument, consistent, adequate protection should be a priority, no matter what. Thankfully, our children will likely be the first generation to have the Gardasil vaccine encouraged and enthusiastically offered by their doctors before they are sexually active. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091408 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 22:18:30 +0000 sarac 1091408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not choose to perform elective, cosmetic surgery on my child when she's too young to consent, especially on a part of the body related to sexual functioning. My husband is not circumcised and never experienced any teasing or negative reactions from women. If I had a son, I would absolutely support his right to choose to have it done as an adult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091404 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 22:15:28 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1091404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: I was coming in to share the data that you just shared. Thank you.<br /> @Claire.Peonies: I am looking for good, recent US based articles and am coming up short. Most of the studies are conducted in Uganda. I'd love to see your sources.</p> <p>I no longer do circs. I have seen a few hospitalizations due to infection, but really I just don't see it as necessary. Those who want to do it culturally have a mohel, those who need it, I refer to Espion and her colleagues, and the rest I refer to another provider if they really want it.</p> <p>AAP guidelines say that the benefits outweigh the risks "for families who choose it". I don't see that as the strongest policy statement ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091384 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:59:12 +0000 Claire.Peonies 1091384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: that is interesting. thank you for sharing. however, there have been multiple studies over the last several years (some more recently) within the US that support a major reduction of both HPV and HIV, in addition to STIs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091342 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:27:58 +0000 Mrsjets 1091342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose not to circ for many reasons and find the STD/HIV reason laughable. If my uncut son is having unprotected sex and gets an STD it won't be because of a decision I made before he was born. I also believe the stats are skewed. I saw this video and many more when I was researching and think both sides of this debate can come off as radical. I live in Canada and DH is cut but it's not the norm here anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091318 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:12:45 +0000 Maysprout 1091318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: The Africa circumcision study had a couple problems. It was cut short and men receiving circumcision not only had to abstain from sex for 6 weeks they received more counseling and condoms than the uncircumcised group, both of which should have had a significant impact on results. </p> <p>Studies in Western countries don't find a decrease in transmission of HIV from circumcised men. There may actually be an increase of transmission between gay circumcised men and from circumcised men to women.<br /> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/09/us-circumcision-gay-idUSTRE6283Z820100309" rel="nofollow">http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/09/us-circumcision-gay-idUSTRE6283Z820100309</a> Foreskin acts as a kind of natural lube so makes sense that less abrasive sex could lead to less disease. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091312 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:09:31 +0000 Ree723 1091312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: I should have clarified - I was referring to the vast majority of circumcisions that are done in the US for non-cultural/religious reasons. Also, I think the argument of kids being teased is a rather silly one. I ran that by DH (who is British and grew up in Australia where circ is not done at all) and he laughed. He said if a guy made fun of another guy's penis, HE would be the one getting made fun of for checking out another guy's stuff in the showers. Also, if we go along those lines, isn't it a slippery slope? Do we perform nose jobs on children with large noses so they don't get teased? Do we give our late developing 15 yr old a boob job so she isn't teased for being flat chested? Shouldn't we be teaching our children to accept and love themselves, and others, regardless of how they look? Also, performing the surgery so your child doesn't get teased would most definitely qualify as a social surgery (I know you said you're Jewish and did it for religious reasons, but you also made the point you wouldn't want your son teased etc, suggesting it's ok to have it done for that reason). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital/page/2#post-1091257 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:43:10 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1091257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: First, I'm not arguing anything. I have always thought of it as personal preference- grounded in custom (religious or otherwise). </p> <p>Both my brother and my father are uncut. DH (cut as a baby) and his father (cut as an adult) are cut. None of these four guys experienced teasing for being cut or uncut. Locker room teasing is not a good enough reason to have this kind of surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091242 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:37:06 +0000 hilsy85 1091242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: gotcha, just read on CDC website condoms may LOWER risk of HPV but don't prevent it. The only way is to not have sex, basically... personally, I don't see circumcision as playing into that, as I would expect (hope) my LO would use protection regardless, in which case circ'd or not wouldn't matter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091226 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:33:51 +0000 Claire.Peonies 1091226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: No, Condoms can not prevent HPV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091218 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:31:51 +0000 hilsy85 1091218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: I agree with @oliviaoblivia: there will always be something to make fun of. And I PERSONALLY think it's a bit extreme to do an unnecessary surgical procedure because I"m worried that my son MIGHT get made fun of later on down the road. </p> <p>Also, we are Jewish and did not circ--there is a growing Jewish community that is not for circ'ing, and there are alternative ceremonies to a bris that can be performed that do the same function (welcome the baby into the Jewish culture/religion, etc). </p> <p>@Claire.Peonies: but circ'ing does not protect against HPV, no? The best way to protect is to use protection? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091206 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:28:24 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1091206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: my husband grew up in Canada where circumcision rates are far lower than in the states. He has talked about how the cut guys got teased growing up. Boys and teens will find anything "different" to make fun of. Seuss was on to something with those star bellied sneetches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091151 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:07:31 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1091151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: I just read the link you posted. I wonder if the study reporting a 60% decrease in the chance of contracting HIV was the same study referenced in the video. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091149 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:06:25 +0000 Pink Champagne 1091149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those arguing that it's a "just a social surgery" (um, or how about cultural or religious?) are you at all concerned about the "social" implications that may be encountered later on? I'm honestly curious, because my husband has told me stories about how the uncut guys got teased horribly in the locker room. That would concern me, honestly.</p> <p>We circumcised because my husband is Jewish, so we had a Bris (oh yeah, btw, my kid didn't make a peep, not while being strapped down and not during the procedure,, so the idea that you're mentally scarring your child is ridiculous). </p> <p>And thank god for the medical professionals who frequent these boards. I heart you, and your well-educated brains :). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091130 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:56:17 +0000 Ree723 1091130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: Agree with your point. How is it that all these other industrialised nations don't perform circumcision and have far lower rates of adult circumcision than the US? It makes me think that either the US is over diagnosing or incorrect information is being given to parents that leads to complications resulting in later surgery.</p> <p>@Claire.Peonies: I understand your point, but as a doctor, don't you think it's awfully dangerous for people to go around believing that because they are circumcised, they are less likely to obtain or transmit an STD? From what I've read, the numbers are negligible and more to the point, I would hate for any child of mine to think that they don't need to practice safe sex if they or their partner are circumcised.</p> <p>I agree the video may have been a bit to the extreme end, but you can't argue the fact that it IS a social surgery that is for the most part, completely unnecessary. We will obviously not be circumcising any son of ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091096 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:38:19 +0000 Claire.Peonies 1091096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: doctor but that doesn't mean much, Nurses know more then we do because they spend more time with the family- so are probably better able to gauge how educated the parents are on subjects like this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091093 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:35:01 +0000 HLK208 1091093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: just out of curiousity, are you a doctor or nurse? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091079 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:29:35 +0000 Claire.Peonies 1091079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am also somewhat ambivalent about the issue- but I am becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of HPV that is plaguing our 20-30year old population. </p> <p>My thoughts are to do what you think is right for your child, just know the solid facts to both choices that you are faced with.</p> <p> If I feel as though the parents are well informed and educated on the issue, I won't ask them twice! It is their decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091078 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:26:59 +0000 chopsuey 1091078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: Word. </p> <p>I didn't watch this video, but I was really conflicted when we found out we were having a boy. After a lot of discussion, research and talking to an uncircumcised 40 year old, we made a decision and I have no regrets! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091075 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:23:19 +0000 Espion 1091075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: The foreskin is delicate and micro-tears during intercourse may lead to easier transmission of blood borne pathogens. </p> <p>Let me just say that I am completely ambivalent about the issue. However, I never recommend circumcision unless it is medically necessary - which is if a urinary tract infection in an infant male could be devastating. Generally, those are baby boys with renal failure. I honestly spend more time telling parents that they are perfectly justified in choosing *not* to circumcise, because some feel like they "have to" and never considered the alternative. But I will do a circ if they request it. We are the only country who does so because we think it "looks good". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091069 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:17:13 +0000 Claire.Peonies 1091069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/27/159955340/pediatricians-decide-boys-are-better-off-circumcised-than-not" rel="nofollow">http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/27/159955340/pediatricians-decide-boys-are-better-off-circumcised-than-not</a></p> <p>This is an NPR discussion over the benefits of circumcision. This discussion is based off of the newest American Academy of Pediatric Recommendations- I trust this source of information. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091065 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:14:39 +0000 Ash 1091065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: most of them don't! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought it was extreme. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091039 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 18:53:13 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1091039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Claire.Peonies: How does it reduce STDs and HIV? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091038 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 18:52:31 +0000 Claire.Peonies 1091038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: Yes, babies are swaddled rather then strapped down. Some babies don't cry at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/curcumsicion-video-an-elephant-in-the-hospital#post-1091037 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 18:52:31 +0000 OldEnglandMama 1091037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is not the norm in my culture and yet I never heard of anyone having to have it done as an adult until I came here (but I appreciate that that does happen). DH is cut, and he always assumed that any son he had would be. I strongly disagree with him and this presentation (though clearly biased) explains why very well. I will ask DH to make time to watch it - I think it's important for him professionally as well as personally (he's a medical student). </p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: I agree with you entirely.<br /> @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Both, but he warns you when either is coming up on the next slide (so you can look away or fast-forward if you choose). </p>