Circumcision is a surgery that removes the foreskin of a penis. The foreskin protects and lubricates the head of the penis and contains nerve receptors important to sexual function. The surgery is usually done by a pediatrician or obstetrician in the hospital within a day or two of birth. When a circumcision is done for religious reasons, the surgery is sometimes done outside the hospital by someone who is trained in doing the procedure. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend routine newborn circumcision, though currently 60% of boys in the United States are circumcised at birth. In other countries, the circumcision rate is much lower.
Procedure
During a circumcision, the baby strapped by his arms and legs to a flat table. Lidocaine or another local anesthetic is injected into penis to numb the surgical area. The doctor then places a surgical clamp over the head of the penis and uses a scalpel to remove the foreskin. After the procedure, the baby will need to stay in the hospital or clinic for at least two hours.
In the past, there has been some debate over whether newborns feel the pain of circumcision and many doctors performed the surgery without a form of pain relief. According to Webmd, a study in 2003 estimated that 97 percent of all medical professionals are now being taught to provide pain relief before the procedure.
Complications
Although complications from the procedure are rare, many are painful and have long term effects. These complications should be considered carefully when deciding whether to circumcise a child. Complications include infections, blockage or damage of the urethra and scarring. A study published in Thymos Journal of Boyhood Studies estimates that at least 100 baby boys die each year from complications related to circumcision. The study points out that all of these deaths are preventable because the surgery is not medically recommended. This is approximately the same number of neonatal baby boys that die from SIDS each year.
Care of a Circumcised Penis
If you do decide to have your baby boy circumcised, your care provider will probably instruct you to wash gently with only warm water until the area heals. Petroleum jelly should be placed on the head of the penis to keep the scab from sticking to the baby’s diaper. You may be able to give the baby a pain reliever such as acetaminophen, but check with your doctor for dosage instructions. Keep the baby’s diaper loose to lessen the pain while healing, and call your doctor if the baby appears to be in unusual pain.
Conclusion
Although there is a small risk of complications or even death associated with newborn circumcision, most circumcised boys suffer no side effects. Whether it is performed in a hospital or by a religious official, following basic care advice can reduce the risk of infection or long term scarring.
References
Kathy Wiehl - I am a stay at home mother with 16 years of parenting experience. I have been writing since 2008 about topics such as parenting, ...
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