We want to circumcise our baby
Dear Dr Mitchell,
I am currently in my second trimester, and have not yet found out the sex of my baby. If it’s a boy, my husband and I want to get him circumcised as a newborn. What steps would we need to take? Would a paediatrician do it? A urologist? How would we make the request and have it performed in Jamaica?
Circumcision is not done routinely in babies after birth and is usually done at the request of the parents. The best time to do the procedure is in the first few days after birth and it is usually done before discharge from the hospital.
The procedure is quite simple and safe and does not require any significant anaesthesia. It is usually done with local application of painkillers. The healing and recovery are very quick and the baby does very well after the procedure. It is usually done by a urologist.
We have lots of fully trained urologists in Jamaica who can do the procedure. The patient can make direct contact with the urologist before delivery, or the obstetrician can also make the contact on the patient’s behalf if you are sure that this is the route you want to take.
Once the baby is born and the sex confirmed, the paediatrician can also help in making recommendation and direct contact with the urologist to do the procedure. A paediatric urologist is the usual doctor who will do the procedure. They have a lot of experience in doing circumcision in newborn babies.
You have to be sure that this is what you really want to do. This is not done commonly in our culture and is usually done if there is a tight foreskin later on in life. Ultimately, it is your final decision and your wishes are usually respected.
Best regards.
Dr Sharmaine Mitchell is an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Send questions via e-mail to allwoman@jamaicaobserver.com; write to All Woman, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Ave, Kingston 5; or fax to 876-968-2025. All responses are published. Dr Mitchell cannot provide personal responses.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only, and must not be relied upon as an alternative to medical advice or treatment from your own doctor.
