Circumcision is a practice that has been with us for centuries. It has is performed for many reasons that include cultural rites, religious ceremonies and as a medical intervention. Although the exact procedure varies depending on the region of the world in which it is performed, the general principle involves the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the head of the penis. While some communities perform newborn circumcision, others prefer to do it much later.
Personal hygiene appears to be the main reason as to why the practice has been incorporated in modern medicine. In the uncircumcised male, there is accumulation of a whitish discharge called smegma. Smegma is said to predispose one to recurrent infections and to result into odor if not cleaned out. If you do not plan to have the procedure, ensure that you wash this discharge off from the penis of your baby as often as possible.
The best time to have a newborn circumcised is when they are still in hospital after delivery. Since the obstetrician is trained to perform the operation, it will be convenient for the mother and will cost a lot less than when it is scheduled for a later date. The operation may be postponed or cancelled altogether if medical abnormalities are noted in the baby.
One of the causes of postponement or cancellation is a poor general health status. It is feared that in such a state the baby may not tolerate the anesthetics needed for the operation. The threshold for pain is lower and the risk for infections higher due to an overwhelmed immune system.
There are a number of anatomical abnormalities that may make the procedure difficult to perform initially. The common anomalies include hypospadia and epispadia. Hypospadia is a condition in which the urethral opening is on the lower part of the penile shaft. Epispadia, on the other hand, is when the opening is on the superior aspect. The circumcision in both of these cases is delayed for some time.
As for any form of surgical operation, infection control is very important here. The baby will be discharged from the hospital on antibiotics to be taken for a period of seven to ten days. Their penis will be dressed and instructions will be issued on when that dressing should be removed or changed. Typically, this takes place within 48 hours. There is also need to have an analgesic drug to alleviate the pain.
Compared to adults, babies tend to heal much faster. Most babies will heal within seven to ten days after the operation. In the initial days, you may notice redness on the tip with a small amount of yellow fluid. This is entirely normal and should not be a cause for worry. Be worried, however, if there is generalized redness that fails to resolve, persistent swelling or the presence of a cloudy discharge.
Before signing up for the circumcision of your baby, you will be well advised to hold a discussion with your doctor. The focus should be on weighing the benefits against the potential risks. If the risks are high at the time, consider postponing it to a later date. Although the risks will be slightly higher in older children, the final outcomes are more or less the same.
Personal hygiene appears to be the main reason as to why the practice has been incorporated in modern medicine. In the uncircumcised male, there is accumulation of a whitish discharge called smegma. Smegma is said to predispose one to recurrent infections and to result into odor if not cleaned out. If you do not plan to have the procedure, ensure that you wash this discharge off from the penis of your baby as often as possible.
The best time to have a newborn circumcised is when they are still in hospital after delivery. Since the obstetrician is trained to perform the operation, it will be convenient for the mother and will cost a lot less than when it is scheduled for a later date. The operation may be postponed or cancelled altogether if medical abnormalities are noted in the baby.
One of the causes of postponement or cancellation is a poor general health status. It is feared that in such a state the baby may not tolerate the anesthetics needed for the operation. The threshold for pain is lower and the risk for infections higher due to an overwhelmed immune system.
There are a number of anatomical abnormalities that may make the procedure difficult to perform initially. The common anomalies include hypospadia and epispadia. Hypospadia is a condition in which the urethral opening is on the lower part of the penile shaft. Epispadia, on the other hand, is when the opening is on the superior aspect. The circumcision in both of these cases is delayed for some time.
As for any form of surgical operation, infection control is very important here. The baby will be discharged from the hospital on antibiotics to be taken for a period of seven to ten days. Their penis will be dressed and instructions will be issued on when that dressing should be removed or changed. Typically, this takes place within 48 hours. There is also need to have an analgesic drug to alleviate the pain.
Compared to adults, babies tend to heal much faster. Most babies will heal within seven to ten days after the operation. In the initial days, you may notice redness on the tip with a small amount of yellow fluid. This is entirely normal and should not be a cause for worry. Be worried, however, if there is generalized redness that fails to resolve, persistent swelling or the presence of a cloudy discharge.
Before signing up for the circumcision of your baby, you will be well advised to hold a discussion with your doctor. The focus should be on weighing the benefits against the potential risks. If the risks are high at the time, consider postponing it to a later date. Although the risks will be slightly higher in older children, the final outcomes are more or less the same.
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