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I could go on and on with my various thoughts and opinions, as they are many (I have 4 whole, beautiful intact boys) and believe me, eventually I will, but for now I wanted to link to this video.
This was put out by www.nocirc.org
The video is pretty extensive, it lasts 20 minutes and covers things like the anatomy and function of the foreskin, myths and facts about circumcision and testimonies from Dr's, etc. It is so important to educate yourself on these things!
Yes, it is biased against circ (after all, no medical society in the world recommends routine infant circumcision) but it is still good accurate information from professionals.
Though I don't see this as a parents decision (I believe it should be left up to our sons) it is one we are expected to make.
PLEASE BE INFORMED!!
Note . . . about 1/2 way through this video they show a circ being performed. I have never been able to get through viewing one on video (I have to mute it, and usually I end up throwing my hands over my face and looking away with tears in my eyes, I can't handle it). I just wanted to mention that this is just one way circs are performed. Some are more traumatic than others and some last minutes while others can be fairly quick (I am thinking of a few bris I have seen on TV that were fairly quick). Also babies all react differently. Though I have read testimonies from MANY dr's, nurses, etc. who talk about how the babies scream and even at times passout, I have also heard (far fewer) testimonies from people who have witnessed circs who say that pain relief was used and baby didn't fuss much and that it was "no big deal" (tell that to a grown man who has it done!!!). And while it may be true that occasionally a baby will only fuss a little, you never know what your baby will feel or how they will react. And remember that the skin is being cut opened, and amputated, and this is surgery, and ANY surgery will be painful, if not horrendously so at the time it is done it will be later. And in my opinion (because as I said, I have lots of them ;0) the fact that it indeed causes newborns unnecessary pain is the least of the many reasons why it shouldn't be done.
For more information
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Center (NOCIRC)
Doctors Opposing Circumcision
The Intactivism Pages
Circumcision Information and Resource Pages
Circumcision Resource Center
What the Bible Says about Circumcision (christian resource)
Thank you for posting this! I totally agree, and I also can't handle watching a circ performed. It makes me want to cry.
ReplyDeleteI hope people will come to understand how the foreskin is a functional part of the male anatomy and leave it be.
Thank you for sharing this! I have long felt that circumcision is nonsensical - after all, why would God make all human males with a "useless" or "unnecessary" piece of skin? - and unkind. Now that I'm pregnant with my first child (don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl) this issue is even more pressing on my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my first son I was not informed and was pressured into having him circumcised. Before I had my second son, I had done a lot of research and said no to having him circumcised. I know it's too late for my oldest son. I'm trying not to beat myself up for it. I had no idea what went on. Now I know why they wouldn't let me in the room. I remember feeling sick after they gave him back. God was telling me it was a bed choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys, I really feel strongly about making sure everyone has the right info to make an informed choice!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, your story is 1 in a million, so many moms are either pressured into it or told it has to be done for one reason or another. There are many women regret it (including my mother in law) and that is why trying to get this info out to as many as possible is so important to me!
We can only do the best we can with the information we have. And there is SO much information out there it is impossible to know it all. We are not perfect and as much as we try to be, whether it is about birth or parenting or whatever, we will all have things we regret (I know do).
Both of your boys are beautiful!!