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Original poster

Pushed back foreskin 6 month old - am really worried

19 replies

bebespain · 27/06/2007 11:28

My GP here in Spain pushed back my 6 month old´s foreskin today at his check-up. He said it had to be done if not - it can become infected. (?) He did it with such force that it bled and my son screamed in pain.
I am so worried now as I have read that this should not be done. I didn´t even realise what he was doing until it was too late and now I feel sick with worry that he has caused him damage.
Can anyone advise...?

OP posts:
Furball · 27/06/2007 11:33

Well I assume the gp does it to all the little boys . So it will probably be alright. Although it shouldn't have been done as it would have happened naturally over time. Keep an eye on it is all you can do.

foxinsocks · 27/06/2007 11:34

ow ow ow ow ow

have you bathed him (gently) to wash off the blood?

Beauregard · 27/06/2007 11:35

Quite shocked at this
I also was led to believe it shouldn't be pulled back by force.
for your ds

Yurtgirl · 27/06/2007 11:36

Was there reason to asssume it might become infected?

Gps in uk dont routinely do this to baby boys! It certainly didnt happen to my boy

Idobelieveinfairies · 27/06/2007 11:36

poor little man

Hope he is ok now.

foxinsocks · 27/06/2007 11:38

you know what, I think I'd take him to another doctor (preferably a paed) and get him to have a look at it

Idobelieveinfairies · 27/06/2007 11:42

Yeah-i agree with fox- i have never heard of this being done before. certainly keep an eye on him-i think he would be more at risk of infection now the g.p has done this than before.

Original poster
bebespain · 27/06/2007 11:43

Thanks for all your quick replies! I really wonder sometimes what goes through the heads of the health professionals here.
He said the bleeding was OK (yeah right) and would subside. I have checked it since and it has stopped bleeding but the tip is red and I´m sure it´s swollen I am so I could SCREAM.
Yes Yurtgirl I thought it wasn´t something they would do in the UK - what is it with this place??!!
Think I´ll take your advice Foxinsocks...

OP posts:
mymama · 27/06/2007 11:44

for you ds. My paed's advice was that the foreskin is attached and won't retract until around 3 to 4 yrs of age. Not sure if there will be any affect on your ds.

foxinsocks · 27/06/2007 11:46

yes, do. Your poor poor boy and poor you. It sounds completely and utterly barbaric.

Let us know what the other doctor/paediatrician says - I'm sure it's not right. He's effectively pulled the foreskin away from the top of the penis - something that happens naturally over the course of many years. It must have really hurt him .

Grrrr on your behalf.

Beauregard · 27/06/2007 11:47

Yes i agree take him to see someone,poor boy

gingeme · 27/06/2007 11:49

Oh poor love. I have 4 boys and theyve never had this done. My eldest had a very very tight foreskin but the gp said once he is older it would go back itself. Hes 13 now and has no trouble

mountaingirl · 27/06/2007 12:08

Poor little chap. My (ex) paed in France did the same to ds1. I was so shocked and he screamed his little head off. It was red and swollen for a few days. Ds2 has a tight foreskin and the local french Dr has advised that he pulls it back whilst in the bath. I've since read that we should just leave it and then when they are older it will retract on it's own due to self manipulations ...if you know what I mean!!.

Original poster
bebespain · 27/06/2007 13:03

Thanks fo all your kind words. Must be a Europe thing eh mountaingirl?
I've made an appointment for tomorrow so we'll see what happens...

OP posts:
chicca · 27/06/2007 19:53

The annoying this is that here in Spain the doctor that your kids see IS a paed! Fortunately got away with this one but it is one to add to the list - O' Sullivan test in pregnancy; I was recently 'prescribed' coke and coffee to raise my blood pressure in pregnancy; tetanus jab in pregnancy; stirrups at birth; routine episiotomy at birth; shoving stomach to get shy placenta out at birth..shall I go on?

Othersideofthechannel · 27/06/2007 19:55

French doctor's regularly pulled back DS's foreskin from when he was a baby until age 3 (when he started fiddling with it a lot anyway) but they were more gentle than your doc Bebespain. Just pulled it back until DS got uncomfortable then stopped. No pain. It went back further each time. We've not had any problems.

Original poster
bebespain · 27/06/2007 21:16

Ahhhhhh yes Chicca it´s mad isn´t it?
Oh you forgot the C-Sec happy brigade but I suppose that´s another thread...
Thanks again

OP posts:
ghosty · 28/06/2007 06:10

I was told, when DS was a baby, that under NO circumstances must you attempt to pull back your son's foreskin until he was at least 4 years old ... and then only to show him how to wash it ...
I am shocked and horrified at the barbaric doctor bebespain ... your poor baby

SSSandy2 · 28/06/2007 07:58

good grief

I would be so angry about that.

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