To cut or not to…
AFTER giving birth to your baby boy, one of the earliest and important decisions you will have to make regarding your baby boy is whether he should be circumcised or not.
Circumcision involves the surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. For some parents, circumcision is a religious ritual, for others it is done as a preventive health care, to promote personal hygiene. There are those who feel that the procedure is unnecessary.
If you are for it, the procedure can be performed as quickly as 48 hours after the baby’s birth, or before you take him home. Ensure that the doctor has fully informed you about the procedure to be used and the possible risks.
Circumcision of new born babies has both pros and cons. However, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics, the benefits are not strong enough to recommend routine circumcision for all male newborns. The decision is left to the parents. They also support use of pain relief for infants who have undergone the procedure.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF CIRCUMCISION
■ Easier hygiene: Circumcision may make it easier to wash the penis. It is simple to clean an uncircumcised penis as well.
■ Decreased risk of urinary tract infections: Risk of urinary tract infections in the first year may be decreased. Urinary tract infections may be up to 10 times as common in uncircumcised baby boys. Severe urinary tract infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later on.
■ Decreased risk of penile cancer: Cancer of the penis is less common in circumcised men.
■ Decreased risk of sexually transmitted diseases: Circumcised men may have a slightly lower risk to certain sexually transmitted diseases, including the HIV virus which leads to AIDS, and HPV which causes genital warts.
However, every good thing normally has its bad side. Therefore, the negative effects of circumcision may include:
■ Surgical risks: Although excessive bleeding and infection are uncommon, they are possible.
Foreskin may be cut too short or too long to heal properly. Sometimes the remaining foreskin re-attaches to the end of the penis and minor surgery may be needed to correct it.
■ Pain: Circumcision is a painful procedure. Local anesthesia blocks nerve sensations during the procedure.
■ Permanence: After the circumcision it may be impossible to re-create the appearance of an uncircumcised penis.
■ Expense: Insurance companies may not cover the cost of circumcision.
CARING FOR A CIRCUMCISED PENIS
Before you leave the hospital, make sure you get full instructions from your doctor on circumcision after care for your son. Usually, the only extra care required is gentleness, as he may still be 1 feeling uncomfortable from the surgery. Where his penis has been bandaged, you should try to change it along with every diaper for a few days, while making sure that you apply petroleum jelly, to prevent sticking to or friction against the diaper.
It usually takes between seven to 10 days for a penis to heal, during which time: the tip of the penis will be raw, and slightly crusty. There may be a noticeable yellowish mucus or crust. A small amount of bleeding is common on the first day or two. Consult your doctor immediately you notice any of the following:
■ Persistent bleeding
■ Redness around the tip of the penis which worsens after 3 days
■ Fever
■ Any signs of infection such as pus-filled swellings
■ Not urinating normally within six to eight hours after the circumcision
■ You suspect an infection. An infection may manifest itself in the form of a foul-smelling drainage from the tip of the penis, or crusted sores filled with fluid
Almost all circumcision related problems are easily treatable, if quickly intercepted.
Daily care includes:
■ Washing the penis as it heals
■ Change the bandage with each diaper change
■ Apply a small amount of petroleum
jelly to the tip of the penis so it does not stick to the baby’s diaper.
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