Really really need reassurance...circumsision :(

[~clover~]

Its not happening any time soon & may not even happen at all, but I want to cry at the possibility.

We were at the doc's office today & I quickly got him to have a look at DS's foreskin coz its been red alot & sometimes swollen up too.

He had a look & said his foreskin is long & is actually a little tight. He said there's a good chance it'll be fine, but if it hasn't loosened by the time he's 4 or 5, they might consider circumsision.

I want to cry. I hate the idea of it. I know its medical & may not be a choice, but its not fair. I also know how horribly selfish I sound, but this is really tearing me apart right now. I'll spend the next 3 - 4 years stressing about it, praying he doesn't have to do it.

DH has said that if he has to have it done, then He'll do it too (Kinda cute )

Whats wrong with me? Please tell me others have been told the same, but the skin loosened on its own...please

[Trillian]

I reckon I would be feeling the exact same way if I had to make that decision about one of my boys My boys look a little long too, but I don't exactly know what constitutes too long to know if it is an issue or not kwim? I really hope that the next few years sees some improvement and he doesn't need it done. And your DH is a sweetie too

[willow5]

My DS1 used to have redness which I had checked out when he was a baby, doc said the same thing, but he's 17 now and did need to have it done.
DS2 had a longer foreskin which also used to get a bit red he's 15 and no need for him to be done either so try not to stress too much.

I think some doctors jump to the circumsision conclusion too quickly.
Obviously there are some times where it is completely necessary but not always.

[~clover~]

Thanks. He has said to pay attention & if we see it 'ballooning' before a wee it'll have to be done soon. It can cause kidney problems etc with the wee not getting out properly. & just hope it is ok.

[Willow]

My nephew had similar issues - tight foreskin which didn't retract properly and was often red and sore. He was about 2 at the time. From memory, SIL was given a cream (some sort of steroid I think??) to put on it and it has loosened over time so he will not need to be circumcised.

[~clover~]

Cool, I thought I'd heard something like that before!
Its just the whole worrying thats got me. 3 - 4 years of wondering & it probably won't even happen.

[Schmickers]

You're right, it probably will never happen. Just keep an eye on it and keep it in the back of your mind.

As far as the redness is concerned, what do you bath him in? A red foreskin is sometimes a sign of irritation from bathing products, not necessarily infection.

And I think your DH is a very, very brave man. Good on him. I don't know if I'd be so brave!

[~Raven~]

DS1's didn't retract at all till he was 6 and then it was with the help of some testosterone cream. His was very tight but now it's fine. Boyish curiosity saw to that

[~clover~]

DS1's didn't retract at all till he was 6 and then it was with the help of some testosterone cream. His was very tight but now it's fine. Boyish curiosity saw to that

Lol!

Schmickers, I try not to bath him in anything coz the first time it went red was after a bath with the girls who had soap. He was 4 months then & the only stuff I put in the bath etc with him since is QV. DD2 gets eczema, so I use it with them all anyway.
I have to stop using cloth nappies over night too coz he's started waking at about 4am crying to get the nappy of...they just don't hold the wee far away enough. So we are going back to sposies for bed.
My gp has given us bactroban to clear it up. Its the worst its been atm

[Mumma2three]

We went through the kidney issues when DS was 7 weeks. We spent a weekend in hospital with a UTI. It was awful, it was scary. We now have to have follow up u/s in 5 months to see if kidneys are ok. I was SO against circumcision. If doc had come back and said it could all be fixed by circumcision I would've jumped at the chance. It's all relative I guess, but basically Im saying compared to what it was and could've been, circumcision is far better.
I am hoping DS doesn't have kidney relfux (which is what you were talking about) but he was antibiotics for 10 weeks because of it (and some kids are on ab's indefinitely, maybe 2 years) and also there are possibilities for surgery and quite severe kidney damage. So if you think of it as preventing that it might help you stress a little less. Still hard I know xo

[~clover~]

Mumma2three - I really hope your little man is ok. I know that if it has to happen, it has to happen. I feel really selfish getting so upset over the idea. I'm completely understanding of anyone else having to go through it for medical reasons, but so against the idea for myself I would never let him suffer coz of my own beliefs though. As long as he's happy so am I
I really hope, either way he's ok.

[Inanna]

I was going to reply much like Schmick. It really isn't something unusual in young boys and usually rectifys itself. I think some Dr's are a little chop happy...

I understand it's really worrying but try to put it to the back of your mind as it's likely never to happen. Try to steer away from anything that contains SLE as ths is a known antagonist to sensitive skin... Some good quality olive oil soap would be my preference...

I too think your husband is a brave man !

[~clover~]

Thanks hun
I'll start being more careful. For a long time we wouldn't have him in the shower even if we were washing our hair JIC. We are still careful not to get it on him, but he's always in the shower with us.
Have bought bi carb to use instead of washing powder. Hope that helps.

Thankyou everyone. I do feel heaps better about the whole thing. Still terrified, but not so stressed.

[squidipa]

big i know exactly what ur going throw josiah is booked on wednesday for his and to straighten out his bent winkie and im all over the place. feel free to pm me if u want i just don't want to hijack your thread