I see these done everyday, don't do it to your son!

[Tiffanne]

I recently became the Birth Certificate clerk at my local hospital. One of the perks (sarcasm here) is being around when babies are being circumcised. I practically ran away today. The baby starts crying and it drives me to tears. I'm not going to do anything heroic and rescue a baby because I'm not their mom and that's overstepping a little at my job (not to mention I don't want to be on the evening news) but I just can't stand when babies are circumcised. I make it a point to leave whenever I notice them doing one.

[Dave2GA]

I am so sorry your job continually exposes you to the agony of baby boys. But I am very glad you have posted this here. Post it everywhere. People need to know the harsh reality of circumcision. Too often it is claimed that the boys "fall asleep." Those who see circs everyday know better.

[Nicole B]

That must be horrible having to see/here those poor baby boys suffering day in and day out

I tell you what totally 100% sealed my decision to never do that to any child of mine was when my 2nd dd had to stay in the special care nursery for lung issues after birth for over a week...
The circumcision room was attached to that nursery...
I was in there constantly nursing/visiting with my dd and every single day would watch boy after boy being closed behind that door and hearing them wale in complete torturous agony
How horrid to let these boys suffer in such a profound way over something so elective and unnecessary

[Greg B]

It is amazing to me that anyone can continue to perform RIC when there is no value in it. That much agony forced upon an innocent and unknowing baby would require a very substantial benefit to justify it. Since there is no substantial benefit, and they themselves say there is nothing valuable enough to warrant it form their point of view, they are simply torturing a baby for no good reason. Torture is not in the perview of the mendical profession, in my mind.

Regards

[momongeon]

I used to help with them until I emotionally I could no longer take it. I don't even check them after they are done I have another nurse do it. It is disgusting!!!!! I had to help with a bleeder a couple weeks ago. I couldn't just let the kid bleed so I had to help with putting pressure on it. He screamed. He ended up needing 6 stitches at the base of the glans. Ouch!!!!!

[knucklehead]

I truly believe the "doctors" that perform circumcisions get off on doing them. I can't think of any other reason that would allow someone to do that to a baby.

[Sileree]

Originally Posted by Nicole B

I was in there constantly nursing/visiting with my dd and every single day would watch boy after boy being closed behind that door and hearing them wale in complete torturous agony

I think I would go crazy or get sick listening to them. Poor, poor babies.

[Nandi]

My theories on how doctors continue to do them:
1. They are misinformed and truly believe there are medical benefits
2. Quick and easy cash
3. They are so focused on the task they don't hear the baby screaming in agony.
For number 3 there was a story from one of those share your anti circ sites talking about that...

[Microsoap]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

I truly believe the "doctors" that perform circumcisions get off on doing them. I can't think of any other reason that would allow someone to do that to a baby.

I can probably find it, but I know there's a quote from a doctor w/ a circumfetish who actually admitted (... on the Internet!) that he gets a "twinge" in his penis every time he performs one. It could true, or it could be that main circumfetish website indulging in one of their sick fantasies.

The idea of a doctor getting off on this is a truly evil doctor, IMHO.

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

I truly believe the "doctors" that perform circumcisions get off on doing them. I can't think of any other reason that would allow someone to do that to a baby.

Right, I have thought the same thing before about episiotomy. Why would you do it if it really is *not* necessary.
I think for a minority of HCPs this may indeed be the cause (they're getting something out of it)-- but honestly, I think more often it is just "this is part of my job, ho hum." Doctors of every sort perform "unnecessary" procedures every day. My mom had a (probably) unnecessary hysterectomy (something like 60% of them are), (probably) resulting from a previous c-section necessitated by medical error. IMO, this caused her a lot more pain and sexual problems than RIC. I don't think any of her doctors were "getting off" on that-- they just seem to have this idea that "if we can do it, we probably should." That's a BIG problem, of course, but it's not the same sort of problem, you know?

I could be wrong about that. Honestly, the alternative (most ob/gyns and peds of both genders enjoy cutting off parts of baby boy's penises?) is too difficult to stomach.

ETA: re: microsoap's comment. There is just no end to human nastiness, so I have NO DOUBT that there are doctors out there somewhere who "get off" on circ, or episiotomy, routine vaginal exams, mammograms, vasectomies, etc. Honestly, every time I get a flier in the mail from our local "woman's health clinic" that has the obligatory picture of their three old, pink, portly male gynecologists, I shudder. Still-- I seriously question whether the majority of doctors are so very bad.