Our Circumcision Decision

With the arrival of our baby boy and the need to actually make a decision about circumcision, I decided to just give up my inner struggle with the decision.  I did not feel strongly enough one way or another to fight for an outcome so I left it up to hubby to decide.  He was also wishy-washy but ultimately decided to go ahead with it (me by myself would have forgone it but I didn’t feel strongly enough to be able to convince hubby). Because Doodle was born at home he was not eligible for a hospital circumcision by an OB as is routine with most baby boys in America.

At his first well check at our pediatrician I got a list of pediatric surgeons who could do the procedure.  After hubby called around and found out the cost ($1500 from one Doctor, a larger portion of which would not be covered by our insurance) and talked to the office about how it would go (one only does the procedure as outpatient surgery at the hospital and would not give us an estimated price until we came in for a consult in case he needed it done under general anesthesia) we started to waver on the decision.

That is until I talked my midwife and she recommended a Mohel (Jewish Rabbi trained in circumcision).  Our pediatrician also suggested this route but had no names to share.  After hubby talked to the Mohel, it just felt like the better choice for our little man.  I view it sort of like an OB versus a midwife.  An OB is trained to deal with problems during pregnancy and birth and this is what they expect.  Midwives are trained to care for normal pregnancies and deliveries though they are equally qualified to deal with problems should they arise.  Likewise, I felt the pediatric surgeons we talked to were expecting a problem as they mostly do the procedure on older babies who had problems and were unable to have it done at birth.  The Mohel does probably hundreds of normal procedures each year but is also highly trained in the procedure.

So on Doodle’s two week birthday (yesterday morning) we trekked down to North Miami to see the Mohel.  I can’t say the procedure was easy, it definitely was one of the most heart wrenching experiences of my mommying life (right up there with Honeybun choking and turning blue at a few hours old and at 18 months holding her in my arms while she had a full blown seizure) but I felt extremely confident and at ease with the knowledge and expertise of the Mohel.  It was probably most traumatizing for poor hubby though, who had to hold Doodle’s legs back while the Mohel did his work (I sheepishly hid behind hubby, gently rubbing his back so I didn’t have to look).

What has amazed me the most, though, is what a good sport Doodle has been.  He cried off and on for the first few hours, nursing and taking a few real good naps but by dinner time he was alert and generally happy. He only fussed when we changed his diaper and by this morning he isn’t even crying at diaper changes.  It has really shown his laid back and easy going personality which we were already learning about.  I’m just so thankful he is not in constant pain and that he is not a fussy little monster like I expected.  He is my little trooper and such a brave boy (and will probably be the rough and tumble type that will break an arm and not even cry or tell me!).

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Baby after the procedure.  The furrowed brow is the only indication of his discomfort.  He slept soundly the entire 45 minute drive home, TIGHTLY secured in his car seat (this mommy doesn’t take chances even when my babies are hurting!).

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