Retraction?

[D'sMama]

What exactly does it look like when a doctor retracts a boy's foreskin? Last time at my son's ped appt, she kind of pinched his foreskin with thumb and forefinger and pulled back a little, but she didn't tug or pull or seem to do anything that caused discomfort. It almost seemed like she was just looking at his urethra or something.

Is that normal/okay? That's not retraction, is it? He's not had any problems, I'm just wondering.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by D'sMama

What exactly does it look like when a doctor retracts a boy's foreskin? Last time at my son's ped appt, she kind of pinched his foreskin with thumb and forefinger and pulled back a little, but she didn't tug or pull or seem to do anything that caused discomfort. It almost seemed like she was just looking at his urethra or something.

Is that normal/okay? That's not retraction, is it? He's not had any problems, I'm just wondering.

In general, it isn't necessary to do even that. The best thing is for your doctor to just leave it alone. There really shouldn't be a need to do it

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Retraction is ANY movement at all back toward the body so yes she did retract and though it probably didnt cause him any damage it CAN cause damage in the form of micro tears that can lead to infection so it is best to avoid it. Much easier to prevent problems than try and fix them.

Read the sticky The Definition of Retraction & Why it is BAD

Also another sticky that you might find helpful for future reference Possible Seperation Issues

Both can be found in the resources.

[tutucrazy]

Doing just what your doctor did caused my son a world of trouble. Rule is NO MANIPULATION bottom line. She does not need to see the urethra opening as meatal stenosis, the condition of the urethra narrowing, is virtually unseen in intact boys. There is nothing to see. In the future ask her to please not manipulate your son's penis or foreskin. If she gives you trouble have a diaper-stays-on rule during exams or switch pedis. I can not stress to you enough the importance of no manipulation by anyone but the owner of the penis.

[AbbieB]

After quite clearly being told do not retract, and being told back that she never would my son had this same little maneuver done to him very quickly and on the sly (she did it as she was closing the diaper and tried to hide it from my view.)

I was quite shocked with what I had just seen and later really mad. But, since we were at a visit that was related to diagnosing complication related to his Ds, I had bigger things swirling around my brain at the time. I regret that I did not follow up. I have not been back. If for any reason we did need to go back, i would not see this doc and I would tell the practice why.

My son had minor redness the next day, but it was hard to say it was the doc's fault. He often has minor redness on his foreskin (I believe this is normal.)

[D'sMama]

Hmm. So how do you all ask the doctor not to retract? I mean, the obvious answer would be "please don't retract his foreskin at all". I just feel uncomfortable saying that for some reason, since I actually like her and think she's a good doctor who's generally very respectful of my feelings. Do I just need to grow a pair?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

How about I am not comfortable with you touching his penis at all. Since I have read up on proper care. So please just dont touch it.

Honestly mama if you see what damage can be done by this type of thing you wouldnt hesitate to say something.

I suck at confrontation but after seeing my ds hurt not once but twice by this I finally said enough and even though my face was bright red and my heart was threatening to jump out of my chest I refused to allow the Dr. to even touch my ds's penis. I moved it around for him (not the foreskin the whole penis)

Your ds could be hurt by this so treat it like you would anything else that might hurt him that you can prevent just do it.

The foreskin is definatly reseliant but why risk it IYKWIM?

Not to mention her doing this more than likely she will eventually start to "worry" because he is X age and isnt fully retractable. When in fact there is no set age for retraction to happen. But hearing a Dr. say your ds has a problem is more than likely going to scare you with no reason.

Yeah this one is where you need to grow a pair

You can of course just not allow under the diaper checks at all. It is your choice.

[hakeber]

Having had DS in South America and having only lived in non-circ'ing places since, I have to ask...

Why the hell are your doctors touching your babies' penises?

Do they peel back the labia of the girls and give them a good inspection, too? Geez Louise!

I know foreskins are curiosities in the states, but really, you would think they would know better!

Unless you are worried about it, and specifically want the doctor to have a look, leave the diapers on, eh?

[tutucrazy]

Originally Posted by hakeber

Having had DS in South America and having only lived in non-circ'ing places since, I have to ask...

Why the hell are your doctors touching your babies' penises?

Do they peel back the labia of the girls and give them a good inspection, too? Geez Louise!

I know foreskins are curiosities in the states, but really, you would think they would know better!

Unless you are worried about it, and specifically want the doctor to have a look, leave the diapers on, eh?

agreed!

Trying to retract a foreskin is the equivalent of trying to stick something in a girls vagina. It is inappropriate, potentially harmful, and just plain unnecessary.

I make a point to say "Please don't manipulate my son's foreskin in anyway". This usually gets the point across. If I don't feel they are getting it I will refuse to let them examine with the diaper off.

The DOC pamphlet explains it well. It says that a foreskin is like a rose that will bloom with age. You don't go trying to pry open a rose. You don't go trying to pry at a foreskin.

[FernG]

Originally Posted by hakeber

Do they peel back the labia of the girls and give them a good inspection, too? Geez Louise!

Unfortunately, some doctors do. do a quick search of labial adhesions and you'll find plenty of horror stories of doctors ripping open labial adhesions w/o consent and w/o pain management.

[tutucrazy]

Originally Posted by FernG

Unfortunately, some doctors do. do a quick search of labial adhesions and you'll find plenty of horror stories of doctors ripping open labial adhesions w/o consent and w/o pain management.

Labia adhesions usually resolve with sexual maturity, same with boys. Why can't docs keep their hand off???

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by tutucrazy

Labia adhesions usually resolve with sexual maturity, same with boys. Why can't docs keep their hand off???

At a guess, it's because they don't know that. North American doctors seem to be terrifyingly uninformed about the normal development of genitalia.

[hakeber]

Originally Posted by FernG

Unfortunately, some doctors do. do a quick search of labial adhesions and you'll find plenty of horror stories of doctors ripping open labial adhesions w/o consent and w/o pain management.

Oh my goodness! That's so sad.

[Treece]

With ds1, his first doc retracted him. I didn't say a word. We discussed it and changed docs ~quietly~. Then a few months later, my sis (who is a med professional) was babysitting, she retracted. Then later she showed me how to "clean it". I was livid. and left practically crying. She researched and apologized.

With ds2, we've had few problems (most were by the very pro vax nurse practitioner). We had one pa try to retract, but I practically screamed ~NO~. He stopped and asked why, gave long speech on the evils of intact. Well, there was a thread about it. I could research, but anyway. I talked to yall printed some stuff, gave to the head doc. Who I assume gave it to pa, he apologized. We still go there.

So, now I just say no manipulation if they start going for the diaper. I think that a lot of American docs are grossly uneducated on normal genital development. We are a circing society. Once upon a time, girls were even circed here. It is ingrained in our culture that "normal"=cut.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by tutucrazy

agreed!

Trying to retract a foreskin is the equivalent of trying to stick something in a girls vagina. It is inappropriate, potentially harmful, and just plain unnecessary.

I make a point to say "Please don't manipulate my son's foreskin in anyway". This usually gets the point across. If I don't feel they are getting it I will refuse to let them examine with the diaper off.

The DOC pamphlet explains it well. It says that a foreskin is like a rose that will bloom with age. You don't go trying to pry open a rose. You don't go trying to pry at a foreskin.

What is the DOC pamglet? Where can I get my hands on it? I go for DS's 12 mo appt in a week and want to give the doc something as I will be asking her not to touch his penis at all. She did last time and did a "mini" retracting. I screamed "No" don't touch it, but it was too late. We didn't really discuss it. I told her I had read up and that one was not supposed to retract at all, etc etc. She went on to tell me I was wrong. I like her for many other reasons so I do not want to change. I want to educate her as she is clearly misinformed. The pamplet sounds good.

[kriket]

i will mention that testicles do need checked out. my DS has fluid around one, no big deal, it will probably resolve itself, and it was as simple to diagnose as putting a light up to his scrotum. however, his father has been sporting a lingual hernia for the better part of a decade and it may be something genetic.

but retraction no, there is nothing to see under there esp in a well baby visit,

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by Marnica

What is the DOC pamglet? Where can I get my hands on it? I go for DS's 12 mo appt in a week and want to give the doc something as I will be asking her not to touch his penis at all. She did last time and did a "mini" retracting. I screamed "No" don't touch it, but it was too late. We didn't really discuss it. I told her I had read up and that one was not supposed to retract at all, etc etc. She went on to tell me I was wrong. I like her for many other reasons so I do not want to change. I want to educate her as she is clearly misinformed. The pamplet sounds good.

Here is a link to the INTACT CARE AGREEMENT

Here is a link to DOC document about retraction:
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/pdf/2008-03retractileforeskinleaflet.pdf


LINK to AAP statement

and just refuse to remove his diaper until she reads it.