Circ video?

[Contented73]

Can someone recommend a really good circ video to show in a childbirth education class? I'm looking for something that is 5-10 minutes long, clearly shows a medical circ, and has a solid commentary addressing some of the most common circ misconceptions. Also it needs to be a video that I can easily buy.

[Dave2GA]

The video at www.intact.ca is very effective. The NOCIRC video, available for purchase from NOCIRC (www.nocirc.org) has a Plastibell circ on it with critical commentary before and afterwards. Also has two videos of female circ in Africa for comparison.

[glongley]

You can send for a free copy of the current NOCIRC DVD by writing to [e-mail]. Tell them you are a childbirth educator. You can make a donation to help with costs if you can. It also has "The PRepuce" video on it from DOC. Very educational, but longish and narrated in a rather monotone voice. This DVD has been useful as an addition to childbirth educator's lending libraries.

The DVD no longer has female circ segments on it (the one Dave 2GA mentioned was the previous version). NOCIRC is working on an improved circ DVD, but it is not known yet when it will be available.

There is no "really good" circ video out there. Some are too long, some are too obviously biased, some are dated. Some people will say its not realistic if the baby is given no anesthesia, some people will say its not realistic if the baby IS given anesthesia.

I think the NOCIRC DVD's Plastibell circ is very good in terms of showing the steps of the procedure, and it is edited to leave out the parts where nothing is happening, so it is only about 4 minutes long - a real benefit in a class setting. However, I do not like the voice-over (the segment is taken from the film "Birth As We Know It.") It adds information about the functions of the foreskin, the harms of circumcision, and the fact that its not recommended, but it's not exactly unbiased. You could play it without sound, but then the crying wouldn't be heard.

My solution has been to show still photos of the procedure and explain the steps verbally in an objective but graphic way. It is plenty effective.

There are lots of other videos on line which you could download, but they are generally longer 10-13 minutes, and without educational voice over.

"Intact Facts" is an 18 minute outtake in video cassette format from the film "Whose Body Whose Rights". Goes into the history a lot, briefly debunks medical issues but not in a really cogent way (IMO), explains the foreskin, shows a circ, some other stuff. It is available from InJoy videos. I think it has a little too much redundancy and not enough punch, but it does cover the main facts in a relatively short format. I think it's about $49.

Also, you might consider printing out the visual aid binders on the procedure and complications (there is one on anatomy and function, and one on intact celebrities also) from: http://www.coloradonocirc.org/pamphlets.php
Some educators have found it effective to just have these on display every week when they teach. Others have printed out multiple copies for parents to look at during a circumcision talk.

Gillian