Hi all! I am new here, but I am sure I will be posting fairly regularly, so I just thought I would tell the story of how my son remained whole and intact, the way he was meant to be!
First of all, my DS was born 5/23/08. I just knew, knew, knew in my heart that he was a boy. When we had our 20 week u/s, it was confirmed. At that point, I had not really thought about the whole circ issue, but I assumed I would. The only experience I had with the issue were my dad and two brothers (who are all circ'd). I have never seen an intact penis "in real life," so I was very uninformed on the topic. Anyway, around 20 weeks I started thinking and decided I didn't really want to do it. I told my dad (who is a doctor) and he about passed out. He told me "no you have to" and my DH said "of course we are." Well, I started crying and said "no, I won't," but I began to cave. I told some friends that I was considering not circ'ing (I used to use the incorrect terminology and say I was going to leave him uncirc'd...now I am all about "intact" lol). Their reactions were out of this world. Everyone was like "Ew, gross!" or "But that is dirty," or "It looks weird," etc. etc. I am sure you all know the lines. I am also a member of another message board (I won't mention the name b/c I am sure that violates the rules) and most of the moms there are pro-circ. Many of the reasons given are the common ones...he needs to look like daddy, he will be made fun of in the locker room. All of these factors combined made me change my mind and decide to have my DS circ'd. However, the more I heard people articulating these arguments, the more ridiculous I thought it sounded. Also, my OB/GYN handed out a piece of paper saying he would not circ and the reasons why. I am ashamed to say I glanced over it and quickly went on the hunt for a pedi who would circ.
I had 2 doulas--one for birth and one for postpartum. I am so thankful for them. They gave me so much information on leaving my DS intact and did it in such an informative, gentle way. They were really amazing. However, when I went to the hospital to give birth, I was still thinking I would do it. I was very uncomfortable with the idea, but I soothed myself thinking "it is no big deal, it is really quick" etc etc. However, I am so lucky (and I say this not b/c it is good that he had to be in a level 2 nursery, but it really gave me time to think) that my DS had to be on a glucose drip for the first few days after birth. When I would go to the nursery to visit and try to nurse, the circ room was right off of where we were. The screams I heard, I can't even tell you. I don't even want to talk or think about it. My pedi told me before we left "If you want to have him circ'd, we'll do it at one of the well baby check ups since he has already been through so much right after birth." I was still in shock from what I heard and I just nodded numbly. My husband and I went home did hours and hours (and I mean HOURS) of research, watched the DVDs my doulas provided and ended up deciding not to circ. What was crazy to me was that the pedi did not even bring up circ'ing again until my DS' one month appointment. At that point, I thought he was too old either way, putting aside all my now moral and righteous indignation at the thought.
Anyway, I now take the time to talk to people about it. It is amazing all the ignorance people have...well, I guess not since I was at that same point not too long ago. But what is amazing is that they speak with such authority on a topic on which they have little information, and what information they do have is generally wrong. I have given myself the nickname "the foreskin freedom fighter" LOL and I really try to pass on the information and knowledge I was so blessed to get before it was too late.
Anyway, sorry that was so long, but I just thought I would share my story with everyone. I am sure I will be posting a lot as time goes on...I am so glad I found this forum!
First of all, my DS was born 5/23/08. I just knew, knew, knew in my heart that he was a boy. When we had our 20 week u/s, it was confirmed. At that point, I had not really thought about the whole circ issue, but I assumed I would. The only experience I had with the issue were my dad and two brothers (who are all circ'd). I have never seen an intact penis "in real life," so I was very uninformed on the topic. Anyway, around 20 weeks I started thinking and decided I didn't really want to do it. I told my dad (who is a doctor) and he about passed out. He told me "no you have to" and my DH said "of course we are." Well, I started crying and said "no, I won't," but I began to cave. I told some friends that I was considering not circ'ing (I used to use the incorrect terminology and say I was going to leave him uncirc'd...now I am all about "intact" lol). Their reactions were out of this world. Everyone was like "Ew, gross!" or "But that is dirty," or "It looks weird," etc. etc. I am sure you all know the lines. I am also a member of another message board (I won't mention the name b/c I am sure that violates the rules) and most of the moms there are pro-circ. Many of the reasons given are the common ones...he needs to look like daddy, he will be made fun of in the locker room. All of these factors combined made me change my mind and decide to have my DS circ'd. However, the more I heard people articulating these arguments, the more ridiculous I thought it sounded. Also, my OB/GYN handed out a piece of paper saying he would not circ and the reasons why. I am ashamed to say I glanced over it and quickly went on the hunt for a pedi who would circ.
I had 2 doulas--one for birth and one for postpartum. I am so thankful for them. They gave me so much information on leaving my DS intact and did it in such an informative, gentle way. They were really amazing. However, when I went to the hospital to give birth, I was still thinking I would do it. I was very uncomfortable with the idea, but I soothed myself thinking "it is no big deal, it is really quick" etc etc. However, I am so lucky (and I say this not b/c it is good that he had to be in a level 2 nursery, but it really gave me time to think) that my DS had to be on a glucose drip for the first few days after birth. When I would go to the nursery to visit and try to nurse, the circ room was right off of where we were. The screams I heard, I can't even tell you. I don't even want to talk or think about it. My pedi told me before we left "If you want to have him circ'd, we'll do it at one of the well baby check ups since he has already been through so much right after birth." I was still in shock from what I heard and I just nodded numbly. My husband and I went home did hours and hours (and I mean HOURS) of research, watched the DVDs my doulas provided and ended up deciding not to circ. What was crazy to me was that the pedi did not even bring up circ'ing again until my DS' one month appointment. At that point, I thought he was too old either way, putting aside all my now moral and righteous indignation at the thought.
Anyway, I now take the time to talk to people about it. It is amazing all the ignorance people have...well, I guess not since I was at that same point not too long ago. But what is amazing is that they speak with such authority on a topic on which they have little information, and what information they do have is generally wrong. I have given myself the nickname "the foreskin freedom fighter" LOL and I really try to pass on the information and knowledge I was so blessed to get before it was too late.
Anyway, sorry that was so long, but I just thought I would share my story with everyone. I am sure I will be posting a lot as time goes on...I am so glad I found this forum!
: I hope you stick around. It's really depressing how much bad information is out there but you just have to chip at it a little at a time. So what does your dad think now? Has he come around at all?
: LOL Anyway, that is neither here nor there...look forward to chatting to with you all soon 
