Good news for intact babies and penis question!

[joanq]

2 rolled into one

I just switched hospitals for this pregnancy and am now going to a major University Hospital. They give all parents a handout at the first prenatal visit stating that the hospital does not perform circumcisions at birth! The handout states that it is a parent's personal decision, but the circumcision will not be performed until after the baby is discharged and the parents must make an appointment to come in to a clinic at least 3 days after birth to get it done. It is not routine and only done on the parent's request. It also advised that most insurance is no longer paying for them as it is seen as an elective procedure! I believe they also quoted the AAP Stance on circumcision on the paper.

I was so pleased to know I wouldn't have to be fielding the question from every single person who walks into my room as I did when my son was born. And I hope that since it isn't convenient that some parents will decide against the extra appointment.

Ok, Penis question! You guys really always make me feel better and I hate to take it to a doctor if not necessary. All my online searches have taken me to STD information and I don't have to worry about that since my son is only 4.

SO, he is intact and over the last few (weeks?) the skin on his penis has been dry and flaky. Occasionally the tip of his foreskin gets quite red and swollen looking. He can't retract yet, but when he pees the tip does open up a good way and he can pull the foreskin fully away from his body. He occasionally complains that his penis is sore but it lasts only a day or so and goes back to normal. Separation? Eczema? What to try putting on it? Or just let it be? We use a very mild wash and the majority of the time he is taking a shower now rather than a bath. He is known to touch it quite a bit... Thanks for any advice.

[Fellow Traveler]

Hey that's great I would hope the extra effort and the literature would contribute to a reduction. Can you say which part of the country you're in?

To the second point could it be a yeast infection?

[beru]

Hi,
What a great policy the hospital has. Can I ask where you are located? Also, would it be possible to get a copy of the handout. I know 3 hospital midwives, 2 OBs, 1 ped and 2 family doctors (some are my caregivers some are my husban's coworkers) at the hospital I gave birth at. I would love to give them a copy of the handout and suggest they follow suit.

Thanks

[thixle]

Awesome hospital policy :

For the ?
Dry, flaky skin with redness, slight swelling, and itching/burning is often yeast. There are many types and some present this way. Yogurt or probiotics will help balance it, or you can go the quicker medical way with OTC Monistat 7 day cream. (Drug store chains usually have a store brand for around $3 a tube. Just put it on 3-4 times a day for 7 days.)

[Nandi]

That's great news about the hospital policy handout! So glad to hear it, thanks! :

[joanq]

Oh, sorry. I don't mind posting it.

The hospital is: University of Washington Medical Center (in Seattle, WA).

I just looked through my stuff and for some reason misplaced the circumcision info. I will ask for a copy at my next appointment. I may have had to sign and return it...can't remember!

[tutucrazy]

Great news about that Hospital!

As for your son, I would suspect it is just separation. These symptoms come and go throughout boyhood. Yeast infection will not go away, it will be continuous. Here is a good thread for you with special info about the intact boy and yeast info:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...893&highlight=

*Be aware that using anti-yeast creams can often irritate the genitals so I would not use one unless you are sure he has a yeast infection. Try using a diaper ointment and see if that helps. My potty trained son gets red from time to time and I just use a regular diaper rash ointment. If there is no improvement in a few days then you can start to consider yeast.

[Fyrestorm]

I wonder if their policy has anything to do with the study that was conducted at the U of Washington?

http://www.uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=1813

the article is from 2000 but sometimes it takes that long (or longer) to change hospital policy...even a no brainer like this.

[perspective]

Originally Posted by joanq

Oh, sorry. I don't mind posting it.

The hospital is: University of Washington Medical Center (in Seattle, WA).

I just looked through my stuff and for some reason misplaced the circumcision info. I will ask for a copy at my next appointment. I may have had to sign and return it...can't remember!

Yeah, is there anyway you can scan a copy of it, and put it up on photobucket or something?

It sounds like a great packet to have.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by perspective

Yeah, is there anyway you can scan a copy of it, and put it up on photobucket or something?

It sounds like a great packet to have.

I would love to have it as well. It might do some good if many women were to fax/mail/hand deliver this form to their own local hospitals and request that the hospital board review it and consider adopting this policy based on the recommendations of the AAP.