Welcoming a new baby boy into your family can fill your house with love. It also comes with a very important decision – whether to circumcise him or not. Choosing circumcision for cultural reasons can make the decision much easier. However, if that is not the case for your growing family, keep these pediatric circumcision facts in mind to help guide your decision.
There are many benefits that are associated with circumcision, including:
- Better penile hygiene
- Decreased risk of any sexual or penile diseases in the future
- Decreased risk of urinary tract infections during infancy
- Decreased risk of phimosis and balanitis, both which affect the foreskin of the penis
Typically, circumcision is performed between two and ten days after birth. During the procedure, the doctor will attach a clamp and make an incision in order to remove the foreskin. They will then stitch the edge that was cut. The length of the procedure is generally around 40 minutes with a week of recovery time.
After circumcision, it is vital to make sure to keep the penile area clean until it is completely healed. Small amounts of blood in the beginning is normal, as is yellow-colored drainage later, up to two weeks after the procedure are completely normal. If you see any signs of infection, such as extended bleeding or abnormal urination, call your doctor immediately.
For more information about circumcision or to schedule the procedure for your little bundle of joy, contact your Orange and Mission Viejo Pediatric Surgeons at Pediatric Surgical Associates in Orange County, California.