Question about how to handle doctor

[chisub]

Just got back from DS's 4 month check up and I feel uneasy about the whole thing. Our doc has never even touched our DS's penis, so I totally wasn't expecting him to be pulling back on the foreskin today and immediately told him to stop. He said he wasn't trying to retract him, it just didn't look like there was much foreskin there and he could see the head of the penis without even pulling and just thought it looked "not right". He even admitted that he wasn't quite sure and wanted us to go to a urologist.

It obviously didn't sit right with me and I feel that he pulled too much even though he wasn't "technically" retracting, he shouldn't have been pulling at all, right? It just really caught me by surprise and to be honest all the research I did before DS was born has kind of disappeared from my memory since there haven't been any issues with the doc or DS's penis (he pees just fine, it's not red, etc.).

I apologize for most likely making a duplicate post b/c I feel like this may be a common problem, but I can't remember where I read about leaving the penis alone at appointments. Docs know not to retract, but I feel like this was pretty darn close and could cause problems as well and totally unncessary. I know that if we come in with literature for him he will be welcoming of the information and we really like him otherwise.

Also, I know this is a weird request, but I really don't know what a "normal" intact infant penis looks like. I've seen adults, but not infants and wonder if the doctor is just confusing things with an adult or older child. Plus I'm sure there are many different types of "normal", right? Unfortunately my DS is the first intact infant/child I have ever seen so I hate to admit that I'm not as confident in my knowledge of intact penises. Kind of on the job training going on right now!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

What he did was retraction. Just because the whole head wasnt exposed dosnt change that.

What he did was totally unnecissary and potentually harmful. In the new resources sticky there should be links to 2 threads: A Warning To Parents Of Intact Sons and The Definition of Retraction & Why it is BAD.

[chisub]

Thanks, that's what I thought. He pretty much made it taut, if that makes sense. I mean, would there even be a potential problem if DS didn't have that much foreskin? That was his concern I think. My gut is telling me no, but I also like to have all the facts lined up as well. My DH pointed out to me later (he was also there when this happened) that DS's penis was slightly erect when the doc saw it so that could be why it didn't look like he had as much foreskin. Like I said in my original post, I hate feeling like I'm not as knowledgable about my DS's body as I would like to be and feel like I am in other aspects of his development/body. My whole philosophy with DS so far has been along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and obviously his penis didn't seem "broken" to me so I haven't learned about it. Now I feel like I have to do it b/c the doctors don't seem to know what's up!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

The only thing Dr's are taught in medical school is how to remove the foreskin, beyond that they usually are years behind on proper intact care.

[latinalonestar]

Originally Posted by chisub

Thanks, that's what I thought. He pretty much made it taut, if that makes sense. I mean, would there even be a potential problem if DS didn't have that much foreskin? That was his concern I think. My gut is telling me no, but I also like to have all the facts lined up as well. My DH pointed out to me later (he was also there when this happened) that DS's penis was slightly erect when the doc saw it so that could be why it didn't look like he had as much foreskin. Like I said in my original post, I hate feeling like I'm not as knowledgable about my DS's body as I would like to be and feel like I am in other aspects of his development/body. My whole philosophy with DS so far has been along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and obviously his penis didn't seem "broken" to me so I haven't learned about it. Now I feel like I have to do it b/c the doctors don't seem to know what's up!

No doctor should manipulate the foreskin in any way, shape or form. You are correct to be concerned about the way he handled your son.

A short foreskin is totally NORMAL. Foreskins come in all lengths. Some are long, some are short. All your son's penis needs to do is pee. As long as he is doing that then you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about. Doctors are so mystified by the foreskin (due to lack of training and inexperience) that they will find "problems" where none exist. A trip to the urologist is not only unnecessary but it opens your son up to being mishandled by yet another doctor.

Keep this article on hand for the future:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...uncircson.html