That thing they do to boys

[splash]

I had a funny conversation with my boss this morning. He was asking about Charlie's rash.
Most of you probably know that Charlie is covered head to toe in a horrible oozing bleeding nasty rash. Anyway, not the topic of this post.
So he asked, ever so gently, about HIV. I'm not offended by the question, but he thought I might be. He asked about the donor... said "but what if he lied about having it?" I laughed and said that they DO test for everything, ESPECIALLY HIV! So he was relieved about that. But then he asked about his blood transfusion.

Huh?

I asked him what he meant, and he asked about his blood transfusion when he was born. I told him he didn't have one. He said "I thought all boys got blood transfusions at birth?" and I said no, why the heck would they?

And he said "You know, so they don't bleed to death when they do that thing to them"

I said "What thing?" I was thoroughly confused at this point. He said "You know, the circumcision"

I told him no, they DON'T routinely give transfusions for a circ, and that Charlie isn't circumcised.

Then the conversation turned sad because his son IS circumcised. He said he thought it was mandatory and the OB brought them them consent and said that it had to be done. He's okay with it... he just never knew it was optional and definitely didn't know it was harmful. I know he would not have done it otherwise.

I just thought it was funny that he thought all babies need a blood transfusion from a circumcision. Or maybe not so funny.

[LeosMama]

Wow.
I really hear this sort of thing far too often.
That people think that you MUST do it. That it's mandatory, like getting a birth certificate or making sure the baby can eat before discharge. The doctors tell them it's important. There is almost no informed consent in this country. Doctors say "You can do it now or later" and that's informed.

Many parent$ would not do it if the doctor$ actually told them about it fairly and truthfully.

[DaddyJoe]

I can't wait for the class action lawsuits to start coming. I don't want any money myself. I am a business owner and have plenty of that. I just want the medical industry to pay for their greed, their lies, and even forcing circ on babies when their moms and dads are chasing them down the hallway screaming no. It happens all the time. These people have to be shut down, and then they have to pay.

[Quirky]

What a horribly sad story.

[baybee]

I think, in the original post, that the man is getting confused between a "blood transfusion" (extremely rare) and a "Vitamin K shot". He was probably told that his son had to be given a Vit K shot so that his blood would clot and he wouldn't
bleed to death if he was circ'd. He must have thought his son was getting a transfusion.

A Vit K shot is not necessary in a newborn whose body is not bruised or cut.
Baybee

[MelKnee]

Is your boss saying his son DID need a transfusion because of being circed?

[njeb]

Originally Posted by Quirky

What a horribly sad story.

:

[paquerette]

How old is his son? Do you think he'd be receptive to info about pursuing legal action?

[Lizzardbits]

geez! that is sad to read! still all those misconceptions and the misinformation that abounds..... *sigh* well, with all of us spreading the word, hopefully we can educate the populus and then eliminate RIC

Glad that you had the opportunity to educate...sorry that it was too late for his son.

p.s. I am really enjoying your blog. Charlie is very very fortunate to have such great moms!

[pdx.mothernurture]

...I wonder if he thought all boys got blood transfusions after circumcision because HIS son needed one after circumcision? That might be something to explore/ask about, as well as legal action. Even if he-as a father-is "okay" with what happened, he and his son were wronged by that greedy, unethical, dishonest OB. Until parents rise up and refuse to take it and take legal action against these docs, they get away with it, and the lack of even basic, informed consent continues.

Jen