Why does a parent decide to circumcise their son?
- Religious or cultural reasons
- Medical benefits (see below)
- Ease of cleaning
- Because the father is circumcised
What are the medical benefits of circumcision?
- A lower risk of urinary tract infections as an infant (up to a 90% reduction)
- Reduces the risk of penile cancer
- Reduces the risk of cervical cancer for women
- Reduces the risk of some sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, Chlamydia and Syphilis
- Prevention of foreskin infections
- Prevention of phimosis (retraction of the foreskin impossible)
- Eliminates the need for a circumcision later in life for a medical reason
- Circumcised men have less risk of sexual dysfunction later in life
What are the risks of circumcision?
The risk from a circumcision is small (about 0.2% which mostly consists of mild bleeding) but does include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Cosmetic result that is not good
- Penile adhesions
- Injury to the penis
What can we do to make the baby more comfortable during the circumcision?
As a pediatrician and a Mohel, my utmost concern is the baby’s comfort.
- The baby is held gently by the Sandak (usually the Grandfather) rather than strapped down.
- The baby is held on a pillow rather than a hard plastic “Circumstraint” board.
- I use a Mogen (Shield) rather than a Gomco clamp. The entire circumcision takes around one minute. As opposed to the Gomco clamp, there is no surgical procedure that needs to take place before the ceremony and the clamp left on for the ceremony. The Mogen Shield has been shown to cause less discomfort than the Gomco clamp.
- I use lidocaine numbing cream rather than two or more injections to the penis with injectable lidocaine. (If the parents prefer lidocaine injection, please let me know)
- I have the parents give infant Tylenol one hour before the ceremony.
- The baby sucks on sweet Kosher wine during the ceremony.
- The baby is given to the mom directly after the ceremony for feeding and comfort.
How do you take care of the circumcision after the Bris?
Please see the “Circumcision Care” page.
Do you perform other services besides the Bris, such as catering and event planning?
My sole purpose is on your baby and performing the most meaningful ceremony that I am capable of. I would be happy to supply you names of caterers and venues who do a wonderful job, but I do not do catering and event planning.