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Happy with our choice!

post #1 of 20
Thread Starter 
Wel we decided- we're NOT having our son circ'd and we're happy! I was worried that since DH was circ'd he'd want his son done too, but he's in agreement with me. My midwives are thrilled too, with our choice to leave our son as he is. He's due any day. It's great to know there's others out there who will be supportive of our choice.
post #2 of 20
Good to hear! aND I'm so glad that everyone is in agreement.
post #3 of 20
You will not regret this
post #4 of 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by UhOhWhatNow View Post
It's great to know there's others out there who will be supportive of our choice.

yep, about 85% of the world !

Great choice !

Have a wonderful labor!
post #5 of 20
Thread Starter 
Thanks!

I am very afraid of birth, but trying to stay upbeat.

Even my Dh's mom and mine too are cool! Both were surprised, but neither was at ALL judgemental. It's great!
post #6 of 20
Dont worry, you can do it!!!

So happy to hear about your very smart decision!
post #7 of 20
I was worried when I saw the title, I'm glad it wasn't what I thought! Congrats and you can do it! The birth thing I mean.
post #8 of 20
Yay!! It makes it so much nicer when everyone agrees!

You can do it (labor) and I'm sending you tons of wonderful birthing vibes!!
post #9 of 20
Wonderful news! Congratulations!
post #10 of 20
Thread Starter 
Thanks!!! I am so happy with this choice.
post #11 of 20
: You will always be so proud of your decision!!!

Keep him safe from doctors. Always remind them not to touch his penis or manipulate his foreskin. Keep these on hand:

http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...uncircson.html

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcisi...kinleaflet.pdf

http://www.nocirc.org/publish/pamphlet7.html
post #12 of 20
What a lucky boy. : Remember, we're here if you need us, any question any time.
post #13 of 20
Thread Starter 
Thanks! I was going to ask if there's anything we need to know about this choice, regarding doctors, etc.
post #14 of 20
congrats!!!!
post #15 of 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by UhOhWhatNow View Post
Thanks! I was going to ask if there's anything we need to know about this choice, regarding doctors, etc.
Make sure that any staff expected to come in contact with your son knows that he is not to be circumcised and not to retract his foreskin. The former issue should be clear by the forms but it never hurts to emphasis it. The later issue more problematic and varies with the location. This can be done in a nice way, hopefully they know what they're doing but that isn't always the case. Actually, if you wouldn't mind reporting back the instructions you get, if any, it will be interesting to hear what is being told. Let us know how it all goes.
post #16 of 20
Yay!!! My DH is circ'ed too but now he is a total intactivist
post #17 of 20
Here is another good one to have:
http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/aap/

Here are a few other thoughts that might help you along the way.

If he gets anything like poop on him just wipe from base to tip to clean it off. Don't wipe from tip to base b/c you could accidentally retract him.

You don't need to wipe him when he urinates.

Having an intact boy is super easy!

With both boys and girls you want to avoid bubble baths and soaking in soapy water. This can irritate genitals and cause flora imbalance. I always apply the baby wash to my son last after he has finished playing and then rinse him immediately. Never apply soaps directly to your child's genitals.

During childhood/adolescence he will go through normal separation. It is different for each boy and happens at a different age for each boy. During this time he might experience some irritation, itching, minor redness, minor swelling, ballooning, spraying, smegma pearls, uneven retraction, etc. These are all totally NORMAL and resolve by themselves. We get a lot of concerned parents come here asking about their son's irritated or slightly inflamed penis. 97% of the time it is just normal separation occurring. Some boys don't experience any of these things but some do. Unless it gets increasingly worse, extremely inflamed, he has fever, or you suspect yeast there is nothing to worry about. Bacterial infections are VERY rare.

For both boys and girls yeast infections can happen during the diaper wearing years or after a round of antibiotics. This is has nothing to do with his foreskin but I thought I would address it anyway. Yeast is easily treated with an OTC anti-fungal cream. To avoid yeast infections you should always have give your child probiotics during and for one week after a round of antibiotics. You can get probiotic supplements from the pediatrician or from a health food store. They have some especially formulated for infants and babies. Probiotics are just healthy bacteria. Also, if you choose to cloth diaper you will want to strip your diapers with vinegar and hang them to dry in the sunlight if you ever get diaper yeast (thrush). Yeast can be quite hard to remove from cloth diapers. You will want to use sposies until the yeast on your baby is treated and all the diapers have been stripped.

Hope you have a wonderful, gentle birth and don't forget to come back and post when he has arrived!
Cheers,
jen
post #18 of 20
Thread Starter 
Thank you so much for the support and information!!!

Having never changed or even been around a baby of either sex or circ'd or not, I am very new to all this.

I am lucky- that barring a transfer due to a crisis- I won't be having a hospital birth. My birth center's two midwives both oppose circ'ing (though if I wanted it done, they'd be supportive) and know how to handle him.

His doctor, now that I have no clue! Not knowing any kids or having a doctor myself, I had to pick one at random. I will see how it goes and switch if needed.
post #19 of 20
Another helpful thread http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732 You may never need any of the information in the thread but if something where to ever come up you will already know it is normal/not normal and how to deal with it before you have to go to the Dr. about it.

For me forewarned is forearmed and I can relax knowing what might happen and how to fix it rather than being at the mercy of healthcare workers who are not up to date of intact penis care.
post #20 of 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by UhOhWhatNow View Post

His doctor, now that I have no clue! Not knowing any kids or having a doctor myself, I had to pick one at random. I will see how it goes and switch if needed.
Be sure to outline that under NO circumstance is the pedi to manipulate his foreskin. You will want to discuss this BEFORE the diaper is removed. You also might want to bring along some of those printouts in case the pedi tries to challenge you. Be firm and tell him not to touch your son's foreskin. Also keep a hand close by to intervene if he tries to touch the foreskin. This might sound over-kill but it isn't! Don't be afraid to sound like you know more than the doctor, chances are you do know more about intact boys. The biggest danger to the intact boy is forcible retraction by a provider. Check out our stickies about forcible retraction and warning to parents of intact boys.
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