Circumcision

[JennyG]

Hi guys, with our little baby boy on the way - which will be born in SA, im just curious of what the trend re circumcision is in Aus. in SA as far as i understand you have to request for your baby to be circumcised. myself can't see putting my little baby boy through the pain. was wondering what is the approach in aus?

[Tookie]

Hi guys, with our little baby boy on the way - which will be born in SA, im just curious of what the trend re circumcision is in Aus. in SA as far as i understand you have to request for your baby to be circumcised. myself can't see putting my little baby boy through the pain. was wondering what is the approach in aus?

The trend here, is no, except for medical or religious reasons. Many people in SA do it because their fathers had it done, so there is no difference between father and son. Boys don't want to look different in the change rooms from there team mates, which I feel is more important than looking like dad at the age when it really matters!

[JennyG]

The trend here, is no, except for medical or religious reasons. Many people in SA do it because their fathers had it done, so there is no difference between father and son. Boys don't want to look different in the change rooms from there team mates, which I feel is more important than looking like dad at the age when it really matters!

tnx tookie, that is very interesting. im actually glad that they dont do it in aus because i do not want to put my baby boy through that and yes i do not want him to 'look' different in the change rooms. you know how men are.

[rozellem]

We have just been through this topic at our house. Didnt know the sex of the baby so, could not prepare myself for a definite plan of action. We knew we wanted it done if it is a boy, so I went online to get info. I wanted the facts like: who does it, when, where, and how much it would cost and some more details. What I found on the internet was a screaming match between the two opposing sides, for and against. What I did find was that in Aus the current stats are 10% of boys born now gets it done. Every time I asked a midwife about it they said: Dont know anything about that, you have to investigate it yourself, we dont do it here. We are also not Jewish. Finally, baby boy arrived 22 Dec, lots of new stuff to deal with, me recovering from C section over Xmas, going to RSA at 6wks, for 6wks. Came back, asked my GP, she gave me referral letter to pedi surgeon, rang him, his receptionist was so rude and abrupt with me, could not get me off the phone quickly enough, saying to ring back when child is over 6months. My husband asked someone at work about his boys, yes, used same surgeon, was done in the first week with local anesthetic, no problems what so ever, kid was not fussed at all. Rang Dr again, talked to him this time: have to do it in the first week when there is some natural anesthetic in the system (Jews say day 8) and healing is optimal, otherwise you have to wait for 6months plus, give general anesthetic and it would set you back at least $2000 for the surgeon, hospital is extra. Spoke to a Jewish mom (at a Easter egg hunt!) and she said there are 2 Jewish doctors in Sydney that are also qualified to do the religious bit, you have to book them long in advance and supply kosher food for the ceremony! So after all that little Finn escaped the knife.

[Nats123]

My friend who is a nurse and had a baby here in Aus said that after the birth of your baby you are asked if you want it done. If yes then the baby boy is scheduled to have it done in a few days. This is exactly how it is done in SA as well.

I think this is due to the increase numbers of boys who have it done now a days.

[Riekie]

You may find these facts & stats on Australian circumcision interesting or helpful: (It is a pdf file which you can save and/or print to read later).

12% of Aussie boys are circumcised and it is covered by Medicare.

http://www.afao.org.au/library_docs/policy...ircumcision.pdf

[EricaC]

Yip, our son's circumcision was done in the first week, it was our personal choice, they have all the pro's and con's and how

it is suppose to be cleaner and blah, blah, blah........It was quick, and within a couple of days, over and forgotten about!

I am soo glad we made that decision, each for his own. But on the other hand, have heard of the odd older boys/men

changing their minds to this op in their teens, twenties.........oh, boy......

Erica

[JennyG]

Thanks for all the info! This is definately interesting. If my boy decided later in his life that he wants it done, than i won't stand in his way. Yes Enrica, ouch!

[SANZOZ]

I never got asked

When we asked our OB about it (he apparently does them) he said nobody will touch him until he is a year old now.

[rozellem]

My friend who is a nurse and had a baby here in Aus said that after the birth of your baby you are asked if you want it done. If yes then the baby boy is scheduled to have it done in a few days. This is exactly how it is done in SA as well.

I think this is due to the increase numbers of boys who have it done now a days.

Strange, we were never asked, and we were in hospital for 4 days. Maybe Victoria is different than NSW? But the boat has sailed for us, will not put him through general anesthetic just for that now, too many risks.

[JennyG]

Would be interesting to hear what grown-up men think and if they were able to choose what they would have done.

[SANZOZ]

My hubby is happy with it (as are most of his friends with theirs) and we are not Jewish. He says its more hygienic. Unfortunately we cant fast forward to know how the boys will feel about it. Personally I think its ridiculous for some men to complain about losing their manhood!!!

[baileyroadrunner]

Strange, we were never asked, and we were in hospital for 4 days. Maybe Victoria is different than NSW? But the boat has sailed for us, will not put him through general anesthetic just for that now, too many risks.

It is like a lot of medical procedures in Australia you have to ask for it or sometimes prompt the doctor to suggest it.

Maybe the strong catholic influence has a lot to do with the low circumcision rate in Australia.

Personally if i had a baby boy i would insist that it gets down soon after birth.

[MannyT]

Yip, our son's circumcision was done in the first week, it was our personal choice, they have all the pro's and con's and how

it is suppose to be cleaner and blah, blah, blah........It was quick, and within a couple of days, over and forgotten about!

I am soo glad we made that decision, each for his own. But on the other hand, have heard of the odd older boys/men

changing their minds to this op in their teens, twenties.........oh, boy......

Erica

The height of optimism "cutting some off before you know how much you are going to have"

No need for circumcision for hygiene reasons in a modern western society where people generally bath/shower every day (except the poms )

....and hey he won't forget about it, he will have to live with (without ) it for the rest of his life.

Enjoy!

Manny

[Eva]

The height of optimism "cutting some off before you know how much you are going to have"

Enjoy!

Manny

LOL Manny, if a bit of foreskin is needed to help some poor bugger who may not have enough, there's not much hope for him anyhow!

[AllisonW]

Had both of my sons circumcised within their first week of birth. They did it at Sandton Medi-clinic with a urologist. It took 5 mins and was over. Baby yelled as much as when they give a vaccination. It worked for our family and if we had another son we would do the same. I think it is just a matter of personal choice. However there is interesting new reasearch in SA that shows that circumcised men have a greatly reduced chance of getting HIV/AIDS. Another deciding factor was that a friend had to have her son done at about 8 as he developed a medical condition and it was VERY bad for him and her. So i wanted it done with and my kids, like their dad, their uncles, their grandfathers seem to have no issues about it at all. Hubby actually thinks it is funny when some men say that they have lost their manhood!

But do what you think is right. i think that this is really a choice issue!