[CarmJoeMom]

I understand that Guatemalan boys are not circumsized. Did anyone circumsize when they brought the baby home? Or have it done when the baby was still in Guatemala? Or just not have it done?

Please don't get into personal preferences if you don't believe in circumcizing. I posted this somewhere else and received 20 responses on why circumcision is bad. I am not looking for that advice. Thanks!

[Stace33]

I asked my agency this exact question and I have yet to get answer. I'm sure someone on this forum knows the answer.

Thanks for asking it
Stacie

[smmars]

I believe that most of the boys in Guatemala are not. When we visited we found out that our baby boy is not. We are opting for the third choice you listed. We won't be doing it unless he develops problems. Our 5 year old bio. son did have it done at birth and dh also. Up until about 3 or 4 years ago it seemed to be the norm to have it done. Now the *climate* seems to have changed to not having it done. I don't think it will be much of an issue one way or the other as far as looking different. Whatever you are comfortable with.

Aren't baby boys a blessing!!!

[kelleymac]

Most boys in Guatemala will not be circumcised at birth. We did not choose to do so, but I know a lot of people do when they get home, and I agree it's completely personal preference. Here are the facts:

Most pediatricians will not allow you to have the surgery done until your child reaches 12-months of age due to complications from anaesthesia. I understand that healing varies greatly, but be sure to ask your ped about pros and cons if you plan to have this done.

Best,
Kelley

[bodhibaby]

We asked a pediatrician about it and the advice we got was not to do it based on having to use anesthesia and it amounting to surgery. I would check it out though as suggested with a pediatrician(s). We did find out that most of the world's baby boys are not circumcised but in USA that is not the case.

[moelladeville]

My sons aren't circumcised, and won't be unless they need to be for medical reasons. I received the same counsel about age, and by the time my son was home, he would have required general anesthesia to get it done, so I didn't.

That said, my friends are having their five-month-old son who came home from Guatemala in January circumcised this month. They went to a pediatric urologist, and they have told me that they expect it to be a simple and easy procedure.

So that's both sides of the coin.

[KyBarb]

I asked my agency awhile back and they said it was left up to us. We could have it done in Guatemala for an additional 500.00 or have it done in the States.
For personal reasons we opt to have it done in the States later on.
So my agency gave us a choice I don't know about other ones.
Barb

[Devora]

Our understanding, too, is that it is very rare for Guatemalan boys to be circumcised. If we adopt a son we will have him circumcised here by a pediatric urologist. My understanding is that when it's done actually depends on the child's weight (due to anesthesia), so while 12 months is a common age it could be earlier or later depending on how big the child is. We will definitely wait until we feel that our child is securely attached to us and the initial transitions are over.

Devora

[szumbiel]

Our son was circumcised about four months after coming home at 16 months of age. He handled it well, mommy not so well! It was done the same time he had ear tubes and some plastic surgery done to his ear.

All three surgeons coordinated their efforts to only need to be put under once. The healing was hard on him for about 48 hours. I cannot say it was a piece of cake, but we are happy with our choice.

It is a very personal choice. Research your options. I would suggest seeing a ped. urologist. We actaully found out in this process that our son has a small urine flow hole which may also need attention when we potty train him. I am sure he would love to know I am divulging this information!

[marty419]

As most boys in Guatemala, our son was not circumcised. We saw a ped. urologist in the states and had him circ'd at 9 months old. He tolerated the procedure very well and never had any problems or complications. The surgery was performed as an outpatient procedure. Tyler was his normal self before and after the surgery. We actually struggled to keep him from being too active for a the following few days.

No flames please but it is defiantely a personal decision. We chose to have it done but we know people that chose not to. Go with your heart and your gut!

[csw]

Hi Bobhibaby...
Actually..you are correct that the US is the only industrialized nation still to practice routine infant circumcision...but also note...that the majority of boys do not get it done now...its like at least 60% do not get it done and that was from awhile back...now it is probably more like 70% not getting it done...by the time the little boys born now are "in the locker room" it will be 80% or more that are not circ'd...so the boys that are done will definately be in the minority...for more facts please visit the National Organization Against Circumcision...
Kelley presented the facts very nicely.. I just wanted to say we left our son intact..not only is it not in their culture to get it done...alot of insurances do not pay for it as it is considered cosmetic now..(unless there is a medical reason such as foreskin is adhered) and we felt no reason to get it done. I wish you the best and cant wait to hear when you get your referral!

[my3guats]

Like others have stated the doctors will probably want to wait until your son is over one. Connor was circumcised a couple months after he was one. It was very quick and like someone else said he did fine..was running and jumping that afternoon.

Isaac was 4 1/2 when he came home and our doctor said she would wait until he is a little older(able to do more reasoning with him to leave it alone). We will see if we have it done or not...but probably will as I have known adults who have had issues. I know many say there is no medical reason but our family has experienced otherwise. So we will see with this one...

Just a funny comment on the issue from one of our little ones...of course they all bathe together and have noticed the differences in Connor and Isaac...their take on it...Connor looks like an ice cream cone...Isaac a pine cone...

[spidermanteache]

LOL---HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE Penny, i can't stop laughing!!!!

[acstrasser]

Our son was not cirucumsised when we brought him home at 5 months. Our pediatrician referred us on to a pediatric urologist who recommended we have it done as soon as possible. The surgery was done when our son was 7 months old and he sailed through it with no problems. He slept a little more the day of but besides that he was his same old self.

One note - our insurance doesn't usually cover the procedure unless it's done at birth. Since we adopted they said they would cover it as long as we got it done within a reasonable time of adding him to the health insurance. It definitely is worth it to ask.

Ann

[Amykk]

My husband and I were recently discussing whether or not we would circumcise a boy and he said that there was a discussion on talk radio about adult men who are having their foreskin reconstructed - I'm not sure exactly what they are trying to achieve. I just thought that was interesting.