GP not being very helpful regarding Circumcision

[Debster7808]

I went to see the GP recently at the first check-up after DS2 was born, and I said that because DS1 was circumcised (-he was born in US, where it kind of gets done as a routine just after boys are born-), we wanted to get DS2 done as well, while he's still a newborn. I was really surprised when the GP tried to talk me out of getting it done, which means that I'm a bit lost as to where next to turn to get this done. I can understand that circumcision isn't available on the NHS, which is fine, but if I want to go private, don't I need a GP referral? Should I just seek a second GP's opinion?
Anyone have any experience of getting their boys circumcised in a culture that generally doesn't do it?

Well have you done your research? I would want to know I was doing something positive rather than just think it.
Have you read the links provided?
I know I's not a positive thing to do.

It's I mean...

Why don't you take him to the US to be done if it is important to you? Your reasons for getting it done are simply wrong. Ds nearly had to have it done for medical reasons when he was a small baby. I'm extremely grateful that he was treated conservatively and didn't end up having it done.

Why put a baby through something that is so unnecessary. If you think that your ds1 'coped with having it done amazingly well, (barely a whimper)' means you know it is a painful procedure. To inflict pain on your own child for misinformed reasons seems extremely odd to me and I speak as the parent of a child who had to endure load of painful medical treatment as a newborn through no choice of mine.

Oh and your son had " barely a whimper". Because he was in shock.he was in so much pain he couldn't cry.

I would rather not let my son decide, as by the time he is old enough to voice a preference, it will be a more significant procedure involving more pain and longer recovery. Done as a baby, he'll grow up with no memory of having it done.

Frigg that's probably true. I must be the only parent who was pleased that their child carried at his first jabs. His hospital treatment meant that he had stopped crying when he had to have daily injections and blood tests. That broke my heart that he had become so immuned to the pain.

How mutilation be positive? Even if culturally approved (in USA for example)

Well done to your GP.

How can...

Damn phone

So no memory makes it okay to mutilate baby's then?

maybe you should listen to your GP.

there is a very good reason why we don't routinely mutilate our baby boys over here just for the sake of it.

perhaps you should read up on it a bit more OP

Please READ THE LINKS

Agree with coccyx that you should let your son decide when he is old enough. Performing an unnecessary and controversial operation on a young child is an abuse of parental power IMO.

My friend took her daughter to the GP to try and get her earlobes removed the other day. The GP said no, its cruel and unecesary, but she still thinks its a good idea after all you don't really need earlobes do you? She reckons if they use a local anaesthetic it won't hurt too much, so why ever not!

Well then Debster, he might decide not to get it done at all when he's older. Win win.

I honestly have no idea how anyone can even consider it.

Why is it the 'norm' in the USA anyway?

I'm sorry but another one here who says dont do it! My dh has been ( for medical reasons). I havent thought "oh he's much cleaner than my previous partners"! And I know it's made him less sensitive. You have no medical, cultural or religious reason to do it, so just don't, please.

I think it's pretty harsh to regard circumcision as mutilation. Many people, myself included, think a circumcised penis looks nicer and tidier than an uncircumcised one. Mutilation is not the right word to be using here, even if you disapprove of circumcision.

I have to admit I sniggered about the head of the penis being permanently exposed to the air.

I have a 12 week old DS and i just cannot understand it even for religious reasons

It is mutilation.

circumcision IS mutilation

Blimey Debster - are you considering it for cosmetic reasons too ?

It doesn't matter what you prefer it's not your body

It isn't common in the UK because we don't play into the all the myths surrounding it.

It isn't necessary. Don't do it. Let him decide if he wants part of his body cut off, don't make the choice for him.