Words cannot express the joy you feel when you hear that you are having a baby boy. Congratulations! But along with that joy, there are many decisions you have to make as new parents. One of the first decisions you will have to make is whether or not to have your son circumcised, or as we call it, "cut off" or " circumcision ." Many people think that this is a medical necessity. But in reality, it is often more a personal decision for your family than a medical reason. So how exactly do you make this decision? Let's talk about it in detail .
Why is this a family decision rather than a medical decision?
There are several reasons why this is not just a medical issue. When you and your partner are talking about this, you should also consider these factors.
- Religious and Cultural Beliefs: In our country, this is done as a religious ritual, especially in Muslim families. This is also seen in other cultures. So, it is very important to know what beliefs and rituals your families have.
- Parents' personal opinion: You may both have different opinions on this. So it's important to talk to each other and share your feelings honestly. No one should make a decision reluctantly.
- Father's condition: Some parents think, "If it's done to dad, it should be done to his son too. Or will they look different?" It's really a personal preference about appearance, not a health issue. Discuss how important this is to you both and decide.
Simply put, this is not a "right" or "wrong" decision. It's a personal decision that works best for your family and that you all agree on.
What are the real benefits from a health perspective?
Many people think that it is easier to keep the genitals clean after circumcision. But that is not the truth. Keeping the genitals clean for a male child who has not been circumcised is also very simple and easy. Therefore, do not make this decision based solely on the issue of cleanliness .
However, medical research has found that there are some very small health benefits. But the likelihood of developing the diseases that these benefits bring is also very low from the start.
| Significant health benefits | What you really need to know |
|---|---|
| A slight decrease in the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young boys. | Boys are very unlikely to develop urinary tract infections to begin with, so it's hard to see a big benefit from a slight reduction in this risk. |
| A slight decrease in the risk of contracting some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in adult men. | Safer sex practices can greatly reduce this risk. Circumcision is not the only solution. |
| Reducing the risk of penile cancer. | Penile cancer is one of the rarest and least common types of cancer in the world, so this reduction in risk is not going to have much of an impact. |
That means, it doesn't make sense to make this decision just thinking about these health benefits, because the risk of developing these diseases is very low to begin with.
If you have decided to get circumcision, you should definitely know these things.
Okay, let's say you all talked and decided to do this for the baby. So, the next things you need to take care of are these.
When and who does this?
It is best to have this surgery done as soon as possible. It is usually done within the first week or two after the baby is born. The most important thing is to choose a doctor who has good experience for this.
In Sri Lanka, this surgery is usually performed by a Pediatric Surgeon or a General Surgeon . Sometimes Obstetricians also perform this. If it is done for religious reasons, there are those who are trained to do it. However, the safest medical method is to have it done by a qualified doctor in a hospital or clinic.
Will the baby hurt a lot?
It's understandable to be worried about how much pain your baby will feel when you hear this. But don't worry. There are many effective ways to control pain these days. Before the surgery, you may be given a local anesthetic cream or a small injection to numb the area. This can greatly reduce the pain your baby feels. Before the surgery, talk to your doctor about this and find out what they can do to help reduce the pain.
How to take care of the baby after surgery?
This is also very important. After surgery, you need to take proper care of the wound until it heals.
1. Keep it clean: Keep the area clean as your doctor tells you. Usually, they will tell you to wash it gently with lukewarm water.
2. Use Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly): To stop the wound from rubbing against the baby's diaper or clothing and causing pain, doctors advise applying a little Vaseline to the wound every time the diaper is changed.
3. Watch for signs of infection: It's normal for the wound to be slightly red and swollen in the first few days. However, if there is severe redness, excessive swelling, yellow pus-like discharge, or if the bleeding doesn't stop, or if your baby has a fever, you should call your doctor immediately.
Before surgery, ask your doctor about the following:
- How and when is the surgery performed?
- What risks are there, and how common are they?
- How should I take care of the baby after surgery?
Take-Home Message
- Circumcision is not medically necessary. It is often a family decision made for personal, religious, or cultural reasons.
- This surgery is not necessary for reasons of cleanliness. It is easy to keep the genitals clean even without circumcision.
- Although there are several health benefits, the risk of developing the diseases they prevent is very low to begin with, so the benefits are not very significant.
- If you decide to have this surgery, it is essential that it is performed safely by an experienced doctor , using proper pain relief methods.
- After surgery, it is very important to care for the wound according to medical instructions and to be alert for signs of infection.
- In the end, remember, whatever decision you make, there is no "right" or "wrong." Your little one will be healthy and happy either way!
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