I just found out that the baby I'm expecting is a boy! :)

Although not religious, my husband and I are both Jewish and it's pretty much expected that we're going to circumcise our child. In fact, if we don't have him circumcised, he won't really be considered Jewish. Growing up I knew a Jewish boy who was not circumcised because he was a hemophiliac. He was teased mercilessly by other Jewish boys. I don't want this to happen to my son, especially if we decide to send him to Hebrew school in the future.

On the other hand, I don't like the idea of circumcision. I think it's outdated, and an unnecessary mutilation. My husband is circumcised, but as a doctor he agrees that it's not necessary. However, he feels torn like I do, because his parents will throw a fit if we decide not to circumcise.

Anyway I guess I would just like to hear some opinions about circumcision, for and against. I have no idea what we're going to do... :confused:

Congratulations, again!

My 1.5 cents worth:

Have him circumcized 1st because you are Jewish.

And for more on the medical end of it, see here (http://familydoctor.org/042.xml):


Studies about the benefits of circumcision have provided conflicting results. Some studies show certain benefits, while other studies do not. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the benefits of circumcision are not significant enough to recommend circumcision as a routine procedure and that circumcision is not medically necessary. The American Academy of Family Physicians believes parents should discuss with their son's doctor the potential benefits and the risks involved when making their decision.

A recent AAP report stated that circumcision does offer some benefit in preventing urinary tract infections in infants. Circumcision also offers some benefit in preventing penile cancer in adult men. However, this disease is very rare in all men, whether or not they have been circumcised. Circumcision may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. A man's sexual practices (e.g., if he uses condoms, if he has more than one partner, etc.) has more to do with STD prevention than whether or not he is circumcised.

Study results are mixed about whether circumcision may help reduce the risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners, and whether it helps prevent certain problems with the penis, such as infections and unwanted swelling. Some studies show that keeping the penis clean can help prevent these problems just as well as circumcision. Infections and unwanted swelling are not serious and can usually be easily treated if they do occur.

Hope this helps!

.

Often it's so baby can be like his daddy. That's pretty much the decision that went on when I had my boy done. Also I believe quite a few women aren't fans of the "turtleneck" and I want my son to have all odds on his side. :D

Hi,
You are a Jewish family? So why not raise your child as Jewish.
It's no big deal and if you don't have it done, as you say, the child will not be considered Jewish by some and you will have to face the "disagreements" from the family for a long time. Is is worth it?
Marriage has enough problems, as time goes by, without having religious undertones thrown in also.
Have it done, and keep a peaceful family. I do wish you the best in your decision.

I agree have it done, He may because he is Jewish to follow closer to the faith than you do. Also while your doctor may not have an opinion, as Rick mentioned there is fair evidence this is a recommended procedure.

And does anyone else see the humor in a Catholic priest telling a Jewish family to have this done.

And does anyone else see the humor in a Catholic priest telling a Jewish family to have this done.You're simply tolerant and aware of other faiths. You should be commended for that.

Wow... I knew I would get some good responses, but I didn't think everyone would be for the circumcision! That's really interesting. I've been thinking about how proud I am to be Jewish, even though I am not religious. So it's probably wrong of me to deprive my child of that, or at least make things more difficult for him. We are thinking of Hebrew school for him and want him to have a bar mitzvah as well. And we've also discussed going to synagogue more regularly for his sake...


Often it's so baby can be like his daddy. That's pretty much the decision that went on when I had my boy done. Also I believe quite a few women aren't fans of the "turtleneck" and I want my son to have all odds on his side.

Yes we've thought of this too. Because my husband is circumcised, would my son feel weird if he wasn't? I think you're saying yes. And yeah I'm not a fan of the "turtlenecks" myself so I know what you're saying! :D

Rick, thanks for medical quotes about circumcision. This is my big fear on the other end, I don't want to mutilate my baby. But I guess it's a safe procedure and everything... maybe it's just because I'm the mother that I don't want to see my baby suffering. Although, as you guys have pointed out, he may suffer more in the future if we don't get it done!

Fred, thanks too... you're right... the family and in-laws factor hugely in this. I seriously doubt they would ever forgive us if we didn't get it done. Plus circumcision is like a baptism for Christians, so if you don't have it done, you don't really belong!


And does anyone else see the humor in a Catholic priest telling a Jewish family to have this done.

I really appreciate your response, Fr Chuck. In my eyes you're a true Christian because you don't compromise your beliefs, and yet you are able to express things in such a respectful way. That's so awesome, especially when I seem to run into people (of all faiths) on this board who lack that basic respect and tolerance of others. As far as that goes, Rick you are also great in this way! :)

Thanks guys!

Oh and by the way, I tried to leave comments on your posts for all of you, but I was only allowed to leave a comment for Fred... with everyone else I got the old "spread it around" message. But I do appreciate everyone's answers!

Thank you, you should be very proud of your Jewish background they are a fine and wonderful people. ( my aunt **close family relation* was Jewish and except that she could rival the nuns when she got mad)

But beyond that we often forgot to think about the issues our children will have, and what they may want. Most of us at some point in our life, want to explore our culture and history.

And while from a Christian belief, we were orgianlly a Jewish "cult" that started their own faith and so many of our practices and customs have Jewish background. I think that far too many Christians do thierself an injustice by not learning and even practicing some of these customs.

I agree with them all…have it done.

When he is associating with his other Jewish friends, they will all simply assume he is circumcised. Children don't like to be different, as they can be teased, especially young kids.

And don't worry about the pain. He won't ever remember it – after all, he will only be 8 days old. I assure you, I don't remember the pain or anything about the briss when I got circumcised.

Thanks so much Captain Forest... another yes! :)

I'm glad to know you don't remember anything or regret what happened to you.

I feel so bad,

Congrats on the new baby on the way. This is a joyist time. I am sure you all are so happy ( unless you are my age in which time it may more surprise)

We hope you all the best, keep us all updated.

It all depends on the culture, belief and what you think is best for the child. Congrats on a Boy on the way Orange. My mother, just kept me the same as my father. Not Circumcised. As I got older I thought to myself is it not a sign that you belong to God. The new Testament says it does not matter if your circumcised or not as long as you give your life to God. So I would say, Do what you think is best for the boy and it would make sense having the boy the same as the father.

Joe

Thanks Joe! Yeah it's a good point, to have the boy the same as his father. In our case then, my baby should get cicumcised since my husband is. And yeah I'm not into the religious aspect of it myself, either. But there's a lot of pressure in the Jewish community to have it done, even if you're just a secular Jew.

I feel so bad,

Congrats on the new baby on the way. This is a joyist time. I am sure you all are so happy ( unless you are my age in which time it may more surprise)

We hope you all the best, keep us all updated.

Thanks Fr Chuck! Yeah we're very excited about the baby. I'm only 26, but the doctors told me a long time ago (at 17 I think), that I could never have children. So this one was a total surprise! I'm 20 weeks along now so I think that is just about halfway through? Anyway yes we are very very happy! :)

Well as an update to the whole circumcision thing, we have decided to have it done, as we now have 2 more children in the house, and the 4 year old boy is circumcised (and so is my husband). Plus the children are interested in Jewish activities and going to synagogue, so it would be very unfair and weird for us not to include our son in all of that. Thanks again to everyone who responded!

Get him circumcised,although you don't want to think of your child having sex already, it is shown that during sex the foreskin can tear causing excruciating pain,and that each time it tears it gets tighter and more easier to tear,furthermore in the area that the foreskin covers is often a harboring ground for bacteria (however if you don't get him circumcised make sure to instruct him at an early age to clean around there,that way you don't have to bring it up when he's older and when it would be EXTREMELY embarassing)

Style, I know many family members that are NOT CIRCUMCISED, including MYSELF that have had no PROBLEMS.

I'm not saying that it's 100% going to happen,I'm just saying it is a possibility,I myself am not circumcised and have no problems,however I don't want to take the risk of tearing so when I turn 18 I do plan on getting the procedure done. It all comes down to personal preference really.

I do believe you should rethink. At the same time it is your own personal choice, I am happy that your parents did not make that choice for you.

Joe

You should look at both sides. Investigate. Circumcision has a lot to do with religion and tradition.

I'm not saying that it's 100% gonna happen,I'm just saying it is a possibility,I myself am not circumcised and have no problems,however I don't want to take the risk of tearing so when I turn 18 I do plan on getting the procedure done. It all comes down to personal preference really.

If you are that sure, why wait until you are 18? Why not get it done now?

I don't plan on having sex till after I turn 18 for one,so I'm in no rush, and also it'd be rather embarrassing to tell my mom why I want to go to the doctor lol =P

I've never heard of uncut guys having problems with pain. As Jesushelper says, he's never had any difficulties. My first boyfriend was uncut and he said he was glad, because it gave him more sensation than a cicumcized guy. My worries about getting my son done are with the fact that it's kind of a mutilation, and I have also read of botched circumcisions, and that scares me. However it is a lot to do with tradition and religion, and that's why we finally decided to have it done.

If you're having problems with your penis or foreskin, like pain, I don't think that's normal. Maybe you should go to the doctor to see what's wrong. If you're worried about your mom finding out, could you maybe go to a nurse at school first? I really think you should have that checked out.

Oh and by the way thanks for your support in my other thread... I really appreciate it! :)

Religious reasons aside, circumcision is generally done for hygene purposes as it's easier to keep the genital region clean on a male if he's circumcised. From a strict medical standpoint it's really not necessary one way or the other.

well, my answer, as always, is to educate yourself and do what is in your heart and mind... hopefully the two will agree! =)

and, as always, this post isn't going to be short. I just never give the short answer.

my upcoming "rant" is where most will probably label me as one of those out-in-left-field parents who distrusts western med and is swayed by the latest anti-anything topic. Well, my wife is a chemist. I have degrees in chemistry and biology and have trained students who are now physicians, pharmacists, nurses, etc. in organic chemistry. I think the harvard medical surgical planning website is cool. I know exactly where to go in the library to access the medline database. me like med, m'kay?

but I do not think western med knows all the answers. And I do not trust what all docs do for "medical reasons". I refused, for example, a common metabolic test to be done on my son before he left the hospital. When the doc, upset to be questioned, asked why I informed him that the MAKERS of the test deem it unreliable until after 48 hrs post birth. It was just another thing they wanted to tack onto the hospital bill.


Religious reasons aside, circumcision is generally done for hygene purposes as it's easier to keep the genital region clean on a male if he's circumcised. From a strict medical standpoint it's really not necessary one way or the other.

it is done largely as a cultural practice, not for hygiene... and there is controversy about the religious "demands" for the surgery. How many people never go to church or temple or meet their other religious obligations but are fine putting a blade to their kids penis?

the hygiene issue is always thrown around. It is true you need to make sure the penis is cleaned. In little ones this really isn't hard to do. And its just overblown... studies suggest that 8% of girls have a symptomatic urinary tract infections during childhood while the incidence of a first UTI in boys older than 2 years is probably less than 0.5%. If there was a surgical procedure that could be done on girls that would decrease this % but physically transform her, would you do it? Would you do it because it's a socially preferred "mutilation"?

don't get me wrong... I'm a circumcised male who doesn't hold it against my parents that they made that choice. My cousins son is circumcised. Every male in my family is, except for my son. I just think the health issue is tossed around too conveniently. Hygiene is impt for all kids.

and don't even get on me about the cervical cancer "issue"... you need to do more reading and research if that's your plus to the procedure.

more about hygiene:

http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright1/

as I mentioned, my son is the first in my family not to be circumcised. My wife was somewhat against it but made it "my decision". After lots of reading, including men who were circumcised later in life and found a dramatic decrease in sexual pleasure, and actually seeing a circumcision in which the child wasn't screaming or crying... because it was in shock... I decided that I couldn't do that to my son.

it is my opinion that if you are not willing to see pictures or video of the procedure then why put an infant through it?

think death from a circumcision cannot happen? It is a surgical procedure that can have complications, the most common from excessive bleeding, infection, or complications with anesthesia. Doesn't happen much at all, it is quite rare, but it can.

there are some issues with care of the penis, and there are some issues where the foreskin can be very tight over the glans. These issues can be worked out most of the time.

all that said, most of us men in the US are circumcised and walk around just fine. If you choose to do it, choose because you feel it is the right decision based on the knowledge you have. But if you do not recommend liposuction or a gastric bypass for heavy children, or implants for flat chested teens, why do circumcision for "looks"? The other surgeries I mentioned are far more dangerous and invasive, I list them to prove a mental state... WOULD we be doing those as well to keep our kids from being teased if they were medically safer?. mentally is that where our parental decisions are?. cut my kid so he looks like others? I guess peer pressure never quite goes away.

more links, some obviously against circumcision:

http://www.udonet.com/circumcision/christian.html

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/circumci.html

interesting Jewish site:

http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/religious.htm

http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/history.htm

http://www.cirp.org/library/cultural/

http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/FAQ/


your husband is a doctor. He knows it isn't necessary. So the issue here is purely social and cultural. I know kids can be cruel. I'm just not willing to make that call. If it means I need to reassure my son, I will.

just make the decision because you want to.

If you're having problems with your penis or foreskin, like pain, I don't think that's normal. Maybe you should go to the doctor to see what's wrong. If you're worried about your mom finding out, could you maybe go to a nurse at school first? I really think you should have that checked out.

Oh and btw thanks for your support in my other thread... I really appreciate it! :)

It'd be more of a precautionary measure than anything,if I actually had any problems I'd be okay with talking to someone about it.

Ah okay... must have misread you. Glad you are okay though!

your husband is a doctor. he knows it isn't necessary. so the issue here is purely social and cultural. i know kids can be cruel. i'm just not willing to make that call. if it means i need to reassure my son, i will.

just make the decision because you want to.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I agree with a lot of what you said, you listed the reasons both my husband and I didn't want to go through with the circumcision to begin with.

However, like I said, it's kind of a moot point now, as we have decided to have it done. Our two adopted children want to be involved in the Jewish community, and so our son will be involved too. If we don't have him circumcised, he will be different than the other Jewish kids, and he may blame us for it later on. Plus since there is no medical reason (that we know of yet) to not have it done, he won't even be considered a member of the Jewish community. I am still basically against circumcision, but I felt I had to make a compromise here... I don't want my son to suffer in the sense that he will be treated differently or feel different. I also don't want to make him the "poster child" for Jewish kids who are not circumcised. The community here is small and close-knit, and any kind of differences will be spread around pretty quickly.

The moyl performing the circumcision is a doctor we know from the Jewish community, who has done most of the Jewish kids here in town. So we trust him. Although, I am still a bit worried about it.

Dear every participant :
first of all: Mazal Tov to you Chava (= Eve, in Hebrew) and to your husband (wouldnt it be nice if his name was "Adam"?)
I'm Jewish, and I live in Israel. ALL boys are circumcised here - when the last,huge wave of Russian Jews arrived here (in the last 90ies) many of them were circumcised when they arrived here, disregarding their age - have'nt heard about any problems.
I think it's very wise it's being performed when they are 8 days old - they won't remember anything. I must warn you - for me, as a mother, it was emotionally difficult and I had to keep myself away during the procedure!
I'm a grandma now, and my daughter's son had the Bris when he was 1 month old, because he was prematurely born and had a severe baby jaundice - it went perfectly well!
Enjoy your pregnancy - the first it's the most wonderful - in my opinion - you can get really "absorbed" in it!
Have an easy and normal delivery, and healthy baby!
Again: Mazal Tov!
Ahuva (= beloved in Hebrew)

Thanks so much Ahuva! Yeah I'm a bit worried about watching the procedure itself, but the rabbi was joking with me and saying that it's usually the men who can't handle it. :p So I hope he's right. Anyway it's going to happen one way or another now.


Enjoy your pregnancy - the first it's the most wonderful - in my opinion - you can get really "absorbed" in it!
Have an easy and normal delivery, and healthy baby!
Again: Mazal Tov!

Thanks again, we are very excited! :)

Whatever you decide to do, do so only after being fully informed of any possible complications. They are rare, true, but they do happen and you as parents have a right to know.

Thanks for your input, Starman. Like I said before, we have already decided to have it done. I am well aware of the possible complications (that was what I was worried about in the first place), but the doctor performing the circumcision is very good and we trust him.

All I can say is that I'm happy I had 4 girls. My OBGYN was against circumcision. All I know is that they say the baby doesn't feel anything. That's a lie. I remember when there was a new born baby viewing window at a hospital in my home town. I was about 18 at the time and was visiting someone and decided to go take a peak at the newborns. In the window was a baby boy getting circumcised. The procedure looked painful and there was blood and the baby was screaming. That image stuck with me forever and at every sonogram when the doctor said I was having a girl, I was relieved.

Don't do it, it has no medical benefit and only risks, plus it is not really your decision.

And since we're talking about the penis, the possible complications are truly horrible4.

A realistic complication rate for circumcision is 2-10 % ( Williams N, Kapila. Complications of circumcision. Br J Surg 1993 Oct;1993;80:1231-6)

1 out of 500 circumcisions result in a surgical accident, between 5 and 15 % result in serious mishaps requiring reconstructive surgery ( Gee WF. Ansell JS. Neonatal circumcision: a ten year overview: with comparism of the Gomco clamp and Plastibell device, pediatrics 1976 Dec,58(6):824-7 and Fletcher C cited in : Fauntleroy G. infant circumcision, the debate over parents's rights and the right to choose. Santa Fe new mexican (30 July 2001)

Common complication are hemmorhagin, infections which can be life threatening,gangrene,necrosis, BOX, UTI, Urinary retention,meatal ulceration,meatal stenosisurethral fistula, hypospadias and epispadias,lymphedema,complications from anesthesia,vomiting,apnea,rupture of internal organs

There is no scientific suggesting any medical benefit of routine infant circumcision, anecdotal evidence is just that, anecdotal and the suggested studies you hear about in the press have, well, not been published because they in fact did not prove anything.

In a leading pediatric journal Dr. gellis said

" it is an incontestable fact that at this point there are more deaths each year from complications or circumcision than from cancer of the penis"

Before making the decision to have your child circumcised, ask your doctor if it is possible to watch the procedure either in person, performed on another child, or on video. That should pretty much solve this problem for you. I have two boys, both uncircumcised, they are happy and healthy. I saw no point to having unnecessary pain and possible emotional scarring put upon my children for what really works out to be the pleasure of others. Ultimately, this is one of the first important decisions that you and your husband will have to make for your child, just make sure that the decision is based on what truly is best for your little boy.
All the best to you and you new family.

I saw no point to having unnecessary pain and possible emotional scarring put upon my children.Just to set you straight, there is NO emotional scarring associated with circumcision. Ask anyone who has had it.

Before making the decision to have your child circumcised, ask your doctor if it is possible to watch the procedure either in person, performed on another child, or on video. That should pretty much solve this problem for you.

Well I'm Jewish so I've already seen several circumcisions. Circumcision is sort of a public ritual in the Jewish community, similar to baptism in Christian churches, I guess.


I have two boys, both uncircumcised, they are happy and healthy. I saw no point to having unnecessary pain and possible emotional scarring put upon my children for what really works out to be the pleasure of others.

I have to agree with NeedKarma about emotional scarring being a bit of a stretch. I think my child will have more emotional scarring if he is not circumcized and then raised in the Jewish community as "different". I'm not anxious to make my son the poster child for Jewish reform... I'd rather he fit in. If we weren't active in the Jewish community, I don't think it would matter as much to us, but since we are, it's pretty much the deciding factor. Plus my son's father and older adoptive brother are both circumcized, and I don't want him to wonder why his penis is different than theirs.

I'm still nervous about having it done, but like I've said to everyone else, we've already made the decision to have him circumcized. I posted my original question in February, so we've been thinking about it and discussing it for several weeks. Thanks though for your input.

My little guy is 15 months old. Other than a little extra TLC at diaper change time for a week you'd never know different. As for him, at a few days old babies the memory of a gnat and that little pain he experienced was soon forgotten. Geez, is a child emotionally scarred by childbirth?? No so it's a load of baloney that they would remember anything about losing a piece of skin.

I'm still nervous about having it done, but like I've said to everyone else, we've already made the decision to have him circumcized. I posted my original question in February, so we've been thinking about it and discussing it for several weeks. Thanks though for your input.
Well dear!
I know exactly how you feel, and I guess there will be some moments of anxiety, but it will be behind you all, and all will be fine, you'll see.
Mazal tov , and a speedy, full recovery,
Millie
:)
p.s. how you healing?
m.

I would worry if other boys are unnecessarily looking at my sons privates. It's a personal choice. Circumcision has no mental "side effects" give me a break other than for strong religious belief it is a matter of personal preference. Why not let you sons make the choice?

I would worry if other boys are unnecessarily looking at my sons privates.



Well it happens. You don't think kids look?

My 2 year old son occasionally puts dirt in his mouth. He occasionally strips half naked. He occasionally runs around screaming "wa wa! wa wa!" don't ask why. It happens.

Sometimes its all three at once.

And yes, he's very curious about all parts of the body.

The first time he saw me come out of the shower he looked at me amazed and in wonder. It was quite flattering. Wished id had that effect on the girls I dated.

Of course the very next day when he saw me changing clothes he giggled and pointed. And laughed some more. So much for wonder and awe.

So the point is, yes, kids are going to notice each other. Unnecessarily or not. My son goes to the gym with me and goes into the locker room. He changes in the showers at the pool. I'm just not going to fret and worry about what is normal curiosity.

Well dear!
i know exactly how you feel, and i guess there will be some moments of anxiety, but it will be behind you all, and all will be fine, you'll see.
mazal tov , and a speedy, full recovery,
millie
:)
p.s. how you healing?
m.

Thanks Millie. I'm glad you know how I feel... actually Noah is going to get circumcized next week already! We weren't sure, thought we might have to wait because of him being born early, but the doctor says he's ready, so that's very good! The circumcision is going to be done here at home, since I'm still recovering. It will be attended by the moyl (who is a doctor), the rabbi and of course our family and friends. It will also give people a chance to see Noah as not many have visited yet.

I am healing okay I think. The pain from the incision was pretty bad the first couple of days, but I am an old pro at surgery. You didn't know this but I had open heart surgery when I was 16. That was much worse than this. Plus the doctor made a very clean incision, so says my husband, haha. So it's all good. Still very tired of course, but as I said I have a lot of help with my parents here, and also Alex now that he is feeling a bit better. The children are helping in little ways, too. I swear Noah is never by himself, even when he's sleeping, haha. Someone is always holding him or admiring him. He's going to grow up conceited! ;)

I would worry if other boys are unnecessarily looking at my sons privates.

Well as kp said, I think it's going to happen... not in some gross way but just because kids are curious. My son is probably going to play sports too, just like his father and older adoptive brother, and so he will be showering and changing in front of other boys. And from what my husband has told me about boys, well... haha, I don't want to get into it, but they do "compare". So I'd rather he fit in.

I swear Noah is never by himself, even when he's sleeping, haha. Someone is always holding him or admiring him. He's going to grow up conceited! ;)

no. that's growing up loved. =)

First of all I do have a son, He is circumsized. I was not referring to three year old curiosity but to what seemed to be referring to teens looking at each other.

First of all I do have a son, He is circumsized. I was not refering to three year old curiosity but to what seemed to be refering to teens looking at eachother.If teen boys are inspecting each other penises then there are other forces at hand (no pun intended). We are all different, some have red hair, some have black hair, some girls have large breasts other have small breasts. We somehow all get through that, the ones that don't have problems that go beyond what makes them physically different - usually related to parenting.

I agree 100%

We did NOt circumsize our son. Personally we feel it is mutilation. My husband is uncirc and it actually is a pretty great thing. Circumsizion actually cuts off many sensitive nerve endings off the penis. Liken it to having your clitoris hood chopped off. Whatever you choose is a personal choice. But from a womans view, I prefer uncut.

Hypatia

Well just in case anyone still wants to respond to this thread, it's "too late" as far as my son goes, as he was born on April 28 and circumcized at home on May 7, so just over a week ago. The circumcision went well, the moyl was VERY fast and Noah hardly cried at all. I got a bit emotional about it, cried a little haha, but it was over so quickly and Noah is perfectly fine. It was a success and he's healing well. The big drama was my brother-in-law fainting during the circumcision and hitting his head hard on the counter, LOLLL. I think he suffered worse than my son did.

Anyway thanks again for all the responses to this thread. I'm actually very relieved to have the whole thing over with and out of the way.

Orange, is a moyl better at circumcising than a surgeon at a hospital? I am serious about this question. The reason I ask is because you said Noah didn't cry a lot but even though I didn't see my sons but cut they definitely cried afterward.

Not to laugh but I thought those things that happened to you brother-in-law only happened on TV. :p As lon as he is all right, I still find it quite humorous.

Well haha this particular moyl is also a doctor, a family physician. He does all the circumcisions for the Jewish community here, so maybe he actually gets more practice at doing them then a regular doctor does. Plus moyls get special training as a rule. It was very very quick anyway, like it seemed only a minute or so. Actually he was so fast that it kind of scared me haha. But it turned out well.

Well I've only had one son, so I don't know if it's a temperament thing or what, but Noah doesn't cry much as a general rule. He only cried briefly when the circumcision was being performed, and this past week since it was done he cries when he gets his diaper changed, and of course cries if he wants to eat, etc, but I haven't noticed much more crying. Actually I was worried that there was something wrong with him, since he doesn't cry as much as I thought a baby would, but the pediatrician says he's fine. :)

Yeah it was priceless, my brother-in-law fainting! Actually at the time we were kind of annoyed with him because he interrupted the ceremony LOLL. The worst of it is, he's an orthodontist, so you would think he'd be used to the site of blood, with pulling out people's teeth and whatnot. Anyway he's okay, has a bad bump on the head but no permanent damage. :p

Congatulations. I say do what you think is best for your particular situation. After all you and your hubby are the ones to live with the results. If you decide not to do it the grandparents will eventually come around and accept your decision. I had my son circumsised 29 years ago with no regrets and no complaints from him. Good luck.