update on Alex

Update to the ambulance post--Alex has a risidual cough now, and is drooling, but otherwise he is as rambunctious and lively as ever--and walking more and more!

Motrin no Mo', Wear Your Baby Proudly for International Babywearing Week!

Thanks to a babywearing group I belong to near where my folks' live, I was alerted to a craptacular intelligence insulting advertizement by Motrin and directed to Moms who wear their babies. Ugh, *sarcastic note here* I am sooooo gah-laaaaaad that Motrin was there to swoop in to relieve the pain in the neck, shoulders, and back from my "schwing". I am sooooo glad that you called me on being "trendy". blech!

If you search on youtube I am sure that you will find the motrin ad and the HUGE backlash of pissed off PARENTS that wear their babies and children. Twitter is in an uproar, nay the Internet is in an uproar!

This "trendy" way of taking care of babies and young children has been around since parents' wore leathers and cleverly figured out a way to put their baby back on their body with the realization that baby was very portable when baby was in utero, baby can be portable outside of the womb. They did this out of practicality, not some desire to fit in to the "trendy crowd". As it was then, is now today, babies are tied on mothers, fathers, grandparents, guardians and other carers around the WORLD. The "western" world has just started getting its' collective head out of its' bum-hole and realized just because non-western countries do things differently isn't wrong, just different and that western society can and IS learning that babywearing is beneficial other than transportation.

Babywearing promotes a bonding between baby and parents, helps extend and increase successful breastfeeding, helps baby's physical, mental and emotional growth, and surprisingly to the naysayers, promotes the much western idealized characteristic of independence! There are many other benifits that are too numerous to put here in my mini-rant, but those are a few to give you an idea of good this "trendy" thing is :)

here are 2 places to go to learn more about babywearing.
http://www.mamatoto.org/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/

As for me and my house, we will continue to babywear!

No Fat Talk Week

I've always had body ishooooos and f.i.n.a.l.l.y I have slowly started to realize that I am a beautiful woman/mother/wife/friend/lover PERSON. My outward appearance will never be Vogue model material--nor do I want to be--as nowadays 100% of photos are airbrushed so the models aren't even themselves model material.

I do want to loose weight, but no longer is it for appearance, I want to see my kids grow up, I want to have enough stamina to laugh and play, I want to feel healthy and my body feel as vibrant as my soul is vibrant.

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Ouch! The Ground Bit my Leg!

Last evening I fell as I missed the last step on some concrete stairs. I was carrying A at the time, but he wasn't hurt at all, in fact I am glad that he was in a Mei Tai carrier strapped to my front rather than in my arms other wise I think I would have dropped him and I'd be telling you about going to a hospital rather than just showing you some pictures of my nasty bruises.


And these pics were taken less than 24 hours after the fall! I am taking asprin and drinking lots of green tea so that I don't end up with a deep vein thrombosis.

Oh yeah, My Take on the Breastfeeding Program

http://lizzardbits.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-am-so-looking-forwards-to-this.html

I little while back I had this blog post^^^ and was excited to see it. There were good aspects to it, such as showing women actually breastfeeding their nurslings, a woman pumping milk to donate to premature babies, and a wet nurse/nanny. All Positive portrayals of breastfeeding, but I was not so pleased with the sensational twist at the end where Kate was serving breastmilk cream with strawberries and breastmilk in shot glasses to a gallery of women in cocktail dresses and men in suit and ties, laughing as people uncomfortably came forth one at a time to try the breastmilk.

On a few UK discussion boards that I lurk at, it has gotten quite a fair few women up in arms about it and sparked major formula feeding versus breastfeeding debates. Unfortunately many women take offence or feel guilty about choosing to feed their babies artificial milk and tend to attack breastfeeding mothers as being "militant" or "hateful" to them. (sigh) If I wanted to attack mothers, nay PARENTS, that fed artificial milk, I'd have to attack myself and my eldest son's father. It isn't parents that breastfeeding advocates (lactavists) are after it is the artificial milk COMPANIES and their unethical advertisements of their various infant and toddler formulas to make their SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN INFERIOR TO BREASTMILK sound just as good as human breastmilk.

Thus the ban on Nestle' products, as they consistently market and sell artificial milk in unethical ways to poor parents, to parents that do not have access to clean safe drinking water, that sells all of the powdered artificial milks as unsterile, yet does NOT tell the consumer that the powdered form is UNSTERILE. As well as refusing to recall artificial milk products when they are found to be contaminated, or even having too much of a particular ingredient that would be life threatening to babies. Through their millions and millions spent advertising, parents have been duped into believing that artificial milk is nutritionally equivalent to the biological standard of human breastmilk, and with made up science, can "protect" babies.

What would make me happy? Some have suggested making artificial milk only available through prescription, I actually disagree with that. I'd like to see a HUGE crack down on artificial milk advertising and cans and bottles of artificial milk with black and white labels only. The labels saying simply "X-Manufacturing Company's Artificial Milk, Based on Cows' milk, Powdered, Non-Sterile, makes X fluid ounces/milliliters of artificial milk when reconstituted correctly." or same with soy or meat based artificial milk, along with health warnings like cigarette packs have on them, "Warning: switching to artificial milk may lead to childhood obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal distress and/or damage, lower IQ, and in some cases death. If you are having difficulties breastfeeding, please contact La Leche League 1-877-4-LALECHE". No hospital bags with fee samples, no magazines sponsorship, no tv ads, no toys,bib,towels,blankets,onsies,hats,babygear, no pastel stylized bears, bunnies, babies or breastfeeding mothers (!) Just plain black and white labels.

Dillemma solved...for now

Well, we saw an excellent health visitor today, who also takes turns heading the breastfeeding group that I regularly attend, and we asked her about Alex's tongue-tie. She was amazed that we had been carrying on breastfeeding as long as we have without major difficulties. She was, however, very pleased with his growth and development. She even wrote on his notes that he was a lovely little boy, probably because he charmed her socks off. Back to the tongue tie- she said to contact our doctor and see if he wants to refer us on to a speech therapist, but she didn't seem too concerned.

Soo, I think for now, I am happy to let it go. He's happy and healthy and TALKATIVE!

Oh, and bonus--we got a cloth book bag and some new books for free today for Alex! YAY books!!!

Dillema

Since Alex was born, I knew that he had a mild tongue-tie as he has a stereotypical divot at the tip and cannot stick his tongue out and high palate. Fortunately it hasn't caused any major breastfeeding problems other than sore nipples in the first week or so. He has always been fed on demand, is growing well, hitting milestones at or before he should be. I was unconcerned because I read somewhere (wish I would have bookmarked it, because I cannot find it anywhere) that massaging it to stretch the frenum -stringy bit under the tongue--would aleviate the tie.

Today as I was surfing breastfeeding support sites, tongue-tie came up. So I surfed the links there and googled a bit myself and all say to give it a snip is the way to get rid of the tie. Shock and horror on my part, me who is so opposed to circumcision, to read of a rather nonchalant snip of skin. Viola Breastfeeding is improved, swallowing is improved, less air is swallowed, older children's speech is improved, even so far as teeth spacing and dental health (along with good hygene habits) is improved. Now *I* am happy to leave Alex well enough alone--BUT--recently he's had tastes of solid foods and he chokes every time. I expect a bit of choking and gagging at the introduction of solids, even adults who have been on liquid diets for extended periods of time, will choke and gag at solids. However, with Alex I have noticed that even creamy mashed potatoes will get stuck in the roof of his mouth like peanutbutter gets stuck in mine. So what if his tongue-tie is
causing him not to be able to swallow? What if it is that and not the foods I eat that causes him to be so gassy?

bleh. usually I go with my parenting instincts, but this has thrown me for a loop. off to go some more googling

Letting Go and Rejoicing!

For the past 7 months, I have been nitpicking details of Alex's birth in my head. I had the "perfect" homebirth stuck in my head. It was also filled with negatives such as I won't do this medical thing or I won't consent to that treatment or I won't have this, or I won't give birth in X-position andI must be on guard at all times against medical professionals. Will not, can not, do not, not not not no no no. Then when it came down to it, I ended up with a hospital birth, with consented-nay REQUESTED artificial rupture of membranes, on dry land, with some oral anti-hypertensive drugs. I felt a failure according to the high natural childbirth specs that I held. I stressed M out with all of my anti-medical thinking in regards to childbirth, I was a birth snob! (I still prefer a less medicalized approach to birth as pregnancy is not a sickness)

I realized, just now, as I watch my sweet baby boy sleeping right next to me, that he indeed, was born in a really good and loving way. My body didn't "fail" me, it worked just fine to grow (and still grow through my breastmilk) and nuture this tiny human. So I'm changing my thinking from negative to positive!

*I did labor without any pain meds so they wouldn't cross the placenta (although I did ask right before I hit transition, but I did that with my daughter, and you know, that is ok)
*I did have 100% of M's support throughout the pregnancy and labor-He was (and still is!) my rock, my extra strength and my soother.
*I did move around like I wanted to, or how my body dictated to me to do it and was free of any cords/lines/straps/monitors/IVs.
*I moaned, vocalized, hollered, whined, bitched, talked how I wanted to with total support from M and our midwife. (I know at the time, I annoyed myself with the complaining and bitching, and them too, but they were never ever negative to me about what I was saying)
*I progressed rather quickly, like I wanted to, as it was only 4 hours after AROM that Alex was born and my long drawn out 2 days worth of 10 minute apart contractions kicked into a more productive high gear. 30 minutes after AROM with my daughter, she was born. 3+ hours after AROM with my eldest son, he was born. So anectdotally, my labors speed up with AROM.
*I was able to shower for a little while like I wanted to do.
*I wore my own night gown--silly I know--and not a horrid backless hospital gown.
*I drank sugared soda during those 4 hours when and if I wanted to and free from ice chips.
*I gave birth standing up, bent over the bed, using gravity and letting my body birth him (in 3 quick pushes)
*M's loving hands were the first to hold Alex as he was born into M's hands and arm.
*The lights were low and the room was warm and quiet.
*Alex was handed to me right away, and I threw off my nightgown, hitting poor M with it, and layed down on the bed with Alex on my belly for some good warming skin to skin contact WITH the light green flannel Pooh Bear blanket that I wanted to be the first blanket to touch him over top of Alex and I.
*I had the rush of euphoria and oxytocin with the birth which helped to make the bonding between Alex and I very strong AND also made the bond that I felt (and still very strongly feel) between M and I that much stronger. I felt like I had just said my marriage vows to him all over again!
*M was the one who announced that Alex was a boy.
*The cord wasn't cut until way after it stopped pulsing and that was when we found that he had a true knot in his cord, but it didn't seem to affect him as he was 9 pounds 10 ounces.
*I had a natural 3rd stage and delivered the placenta, again standing up and again letting my body do the pushing.
*I had an intact perineum even with a nearly 10 pound baby!
*Alex breastfed withing the first hour of birth.
*M had an excellent bonding experience with Alex by also snuggling with him with skin to skin contact whilst I birthed the placenta, rested a bit and then got ready for a shower.
*Post birth checks/APGARs were done while Alex was on me and done in a respectful and kind matter as I have a hard time even recalling them. I know that they were done, but they weren't intrusive to the first bonding moments.
*Alex was never suctioned in any way. He was never gurggly or in respitory distress.
*Alex was quickly and efficently weighed (with a funny comment on the "good sized wedding tackle" LOL! I think that made M ever so proud--Like father like son! Men and their fixation with genitalia size!! LOL LOL!!)
*Alex's first diaper was a super soft fluffy green cloth diaper as I had a theme in my mind that the first thing to touch him would be either be warm, super soft, or loving.
*We were back home within 7 hours of his birth although I was ready to go as soon as I had a shower and was dressed when he was 1 1/2 hours old. We stayed so the Ped could give him a once over but it didn't happen until nearly 7 hours after he was born.

So as this list shows, we had a good birth. the most important aspect was that Alex was born into his Daddy's hands, M's big strong loving hands. Hands that had waited years and years and years to hold their own flesh and blood baby. It is the rush of love that I felt ( and still feel) for Father and Son.

I am letting go of my homebirth grief, stop mourning the perfect homebirth, and rejoice that we had a very good birth, that was very much hands-off, and just happened to be in a hospital. I love my baby, just like I love my eldest son, just like I love my daughter, just like I love my husband.

I will always be very pro-homebirth, and now rather than comparing birth stories to what I did or didn't have, I will rejoice with these new parents on the births and lives of their babies!



M, I LOVE YOU!!!!

...and the lightbulb goes on!

For years I have had a myriad of diagnosi for my wonky noggin. Depression, Depression with suicidal ideation (I can safely and honestly say that offing myself hasn't presented itself since the day I found out I was pregnant with my now 11 year old son--I have to live to bring forth this innocent's life and I want to live to see this child grow up), depression with Bipolar tendency, and then the most recent-Bipolar II disorder with rapid cycling. Whew! Well there may be a new one that makes me say, "well du-U-uh!" Hypothyroidism, my mother has it, my grandmother had it (she passed away 7 years ago), and so the family history is there but the big thing is all the symptoms I have and mental illness is one of the many many symptoms. So, in the morning I am going to the doc and telling him to have my blood drawn for a thyroid panel. This may sound silly, but I really really hope that I have hypothyroid (or slow/low functioning) and ONE little pill will take care of (inhale a dep breath here)
*excessive tiredness
*weight gain
*obesity
*cold extremities-also include my cold bum
*breathlessness
*dizziness
*palpitations
*lack of coordination
*loss of libido
*poor response to treatments
*muscle cramps
*loss of stamina
*cold intolerance
*exercise intolerance
*sweet/carb cravings
*3:00pm crash
*jumpiness
*unrefreshing sleep
*Swelling of hands, feet, shins, and ankles
*sensation of lump in throat-like trying to swallow a lump of phlegm
*dry mouth
*halitosis
*oversensitive hearing
*noises in ears-hissing ringing
*INNER EAR ITCH--OOO drives me batty!
*body hair loss
*head hair loss
*brittle hair
*eyelash loss
*Brittle, flaking, peeling nails
*dry, flaky, coarse skin
*Dark rings under the eyes
*numbness and tingling in feet and hands
*back and loin pain
*sore feet
*constipation
*hemorrhoids
*low blood pressure
*Irregular menstrual cycles (previous to pregnancy, one of the many perks of breastfeeding is no period right now)
*Poor focusing (vision)
*double and/or blurred vision
*dry, gritty eyes
*wandering eyes-mine go wall-eyed when I am tired
*panic attacks
*memory loss
*confusion
*mental sluggishness
*poor concentration
*phobias-I have a bridge phobia and sometimes darkness phobia
*loss of drive
*post partum depression
*nightmares
*easily upset
*wanting to be solitary
*mood swings
*depression
*nervousness/anxiety
*personality changes
*feelings of resentment
*lack of confidence
*exposure to fluoridated water
*use of products containing flouride (ahem-TOOTHPASTE)
*smoker present or past (past for me)
*use of products containing flourine (Prozac)
*certain anti-depressants (geez, you name it, I have more than likely been on it)
*Epilepsy drugs (Iam not epileptic, however many of the same drugs are used to treat Bipolar I and II)


...and breathe. There are more that don't apply to me, but you get the idea. Oh to feel normal again!

2007 +: A Year and a Bit in Review

2007 is nearly gone so I thought that I'd join in the fun of reviewing my year, plus a little bit more.

I will actually start Dec of 2006 because that was the start of one of the hugest changes in my life, second only to becoming a mother. I moved from the USA to Birmingham England to get married to the love of my life. After a bazillion months of waiting for M to be able to move to the States, and for us to get married legally according to the 187465108435081760435618645 laws on immigration to the USA, we found out that it would be quicker and a bit "easier" for me to move to the UK and get married here. We planned on later on, after everything was settled and L had finished her Kindergarten year at her private Christian school (She was doing supremely well and thriving in her 4 student classroom) that we'd have her move here. So November 30th, I said farewell to all that I knew in the USA, and landed December 1st in the UK, my new temporary home. M and I scheduled our wedding day AS SOON AS LEGALLY POSSIBLE--December 29th, 2006. It was a very small quiet affair, that you may as well call it eloping. There were only six people total; M, his Mum and Dad, the Registrar (official) and her assistant, and myself. We went out to a posh chinese restaurant afterwards and then on to the new In-Law's for Chocolate cake, champagne, and presents. We didn't have a honeymoon anywhere. Just things plain and simple, basically keeping in mind that one of the reasons I came over was to save up enough money to move back to the States. I do have to admit that M and I started working on the newest generation right away :)

Fast forward to April 17th, because Jan, Feb, and March were dull drab and sad homesickness months. That day, M had the day off and we were going grocery shopping, and for purely practical purposes, I took a pregnancy test just to see if we needed to pick up monthly supplies for me----Uhhh The test came back PREGNANT!!! I was shocked and stunned because during the time that should have been conception time, both of us were ill, and I just didn't "feel" like it worked--boy was I WRONG!!! I came out of the bathroom, bawling and holding on to the test stick, and cried at M saying "We did it!!!" M didn't understand right away because he didn't see the stick, so he came over to me, saw what I had in my hand, took a look at it, and quite litterally his knees buckled and slid down the wall. Tee hee! WE DID IT!!!

May and June were a flurry of preparing for a 2 week trip back to the States to visit friends and family.

End of June, specifically my birthday, we left for Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota, to see family and friends. We spent the first 2 weeks of July in the USA and M got to experience a real hometown 4th of July, parade, candy, fireworks, beer and all. I got to meet my eldest brother's TFG (The Fabulous Girlfriend) Diana and her son Hayden and her Angel daughter, Hannah was there too. M got to finally meet my both of my brothers and I think that they all got on supremely well (it is great when ALL of the in-laws get along, with the added bonus of liking each other) We then went on to Missouri to visit friends there--oy it was HOT HOT HOT there! We shot guns and played with bows and arrows. We laughed and talked and melted in the heat. We then popped back in with my folks for a day of rest and then went to see my Grandpa and Grandma Evans for a day at the Evan's family farm. We had a great visit as well as lots of joyriding on their 4-wheeler (I think that the 4-wheeler rides were one of the top highlights to Z, L and M's entire trip!) Our last stop was my friends in Minnesota, and M got to finally meet Tonya, Freddy and crew. We went swimming and Mark and I camped out in a tent in their backyard and Freddy entertained us with bon fires. M, the kids and I had such a great time that we didn't want to leave.

The rest of July and a good part of August was again drab and sad because of the homesickness and missing the kids. We found out that we had done things backwards about having L move with us, as she she should have come over initially with me, and that if we brought her over now, that it would be super expensive, and we might as well plan on making the UK our permanent place of residence. My folks enroled her back in her school and (hopefully, happily) are raising her for another school year for me.

End of August-September Z and L start school. Z is now an official middle-schooler. He started band, and through try-outs of insturments, Z and his band teacher picked out the clarinet. He is still involved in the Gifted and Talented program. So it was the start of a lot of new school things for Z, but still retaining the same familiarity of the same school system and school friends that Z has had for 6-7 years. (The longest that I got to enjoy that kind of same school stability was 10th through 12th grade) L got to go back to her school and same teacher that she had in Kindergarten for which she was THRILLED!! She loves loves loves her teacher and friends--in fact her best friend's name is Love!

Fast forwards to the end of October, my favorite holiday, Halloween! We had our first (and turns out only) birthing class. I dressed up as a horny pregnant lady--Ha! I did find the atmosphere here in the UK surrounding Halloween depressing as most people hide out in their homes with all of their lights turned out because kids will egg and TP homes and bully people into giving them candy or money on Halloween. It is flirting with danger of being robbed or beat up to go out at night on Halloween, unless you are a kid in a hoodie gang. ...nice... Complete opposite to the small town midwest USA halloweens that I am used to, and feels safe and happy. There are a few cases of malicious behaviors, but it isn't the norm, like it is here.

November bring a peculiar celebration here-Guy Fawkes Night--where between Halloween and the 5th of November (officially GF Night) people all over set off fireworks. It is a celebration of a failure! way way way way back, like in the 1600's, this dude named Guy tried to blow up Parliment with a bazillion kegs of black gun powder and his plot was foiled and he was hung, drawn, quartered, and his body parts were displayed all over England (If you have seen Braveheart, then you kind of understand the mode of death that Guy had) So they blow up fireworks in rememberance of a failed dead guy.

The rest of November went quickly, as we celebrated M's birthday, and watched my ever expanding belly grow and grow. We did have a hiccup healthwise. I came down with a sudden chest infection, that had me struggling to breathe, and the concern of a Pulmonary Embolism was brought up. I had a 2 night stay in the hellspital....er hospital..while they ran tests to see if I did have a PE. It was ruled out. It did however, make me more determined to have a homebirth with this baby like i had wanted to do all the way back when i was pregnant with L. There were a few good people at the hellspital, but I had far too many nurse Ratchets in there whilst being stuck in a room with 4 other people separated by only curtains, and having one old geezer yelling out in the middle of the night "Yes! I'll 'ave that bacon sandwich!" and another spitting in his emisis basin every other minute then dumping the contents out in the handwashing sink in the room--don't worry--no one ever washed their hands anyway-EVER! No wonder nosocomial infections (hospital bugs) can spread like wildfire! M and I were so happy to hear that a PE was ruled out and that we could go home, that he hugged the doc, much to her surprise.

December-busy busy fast fast fast with growing baby and shopping. Because baby WAS due the 23rd, we kept Christmas day pretty low key, especially since I had been in and out of false labor since the 19th. False labor is an insidious thing, I tells ya! M and I have been so anxious, happy, excited, depressed, worried, blah, sad, and generally annoyed these past few weeks it is just unreal. WE JUST WANT TO HURRY UP AND MEET THIS BABY!!!!! But we wait, and wait, and wait, and wait some more.

Yesterday, the 29th, was our first anniversary. We had a bit of a baby scare, because Baby wasn't very active in the morning, so we ended up with an non-stress test being done--basically a monitoring strip done. First anniversaries' gifts are paper---well M got to see that piece of paper and we both had peace of mind, because as soon as the monitors were strapped on, Baby got busy in there, and even gave us a case of the hiccups. So we came home and ate Chinese and looked at our wedding photos. Awww--What a year!

My wedding band has this inscribed in it "Le mo ghrasa mise agus Liomsa mo ghra" It is Gaelic and roughly translated "I am my Beloved's. My Beloved is mine." Throughout all the years happenings, M and my love has grown stronger and more precious. We are so happy and in love with each other, and we look forwards to many more years of love! I truely am my Beloved's and my Beloved is truely mine!!!

Happy New Year to you all, I wish you many blessings!



....and, no, the baby isn't here yet....

looks like we won

looks like the debate has died down and it looks like the intactivists have won this round!!!

other notes..my neck still hurts, and i slept A LOT today. And it is about time that i go back to sleep.

Do baby boys "feel" the circumcision procedure?

that was a question asked at a mainstream board that i am at. Here's more:

Original poster:
This will be my first boy. My DH and I both agree to have him circumcised.
What do they do? How do they numb it? DO THEY numb it? Do they cry? I am scared!
__________________________________
Poster 1:
Here - you can watch one being done. video

At least that way you know the standard procedure and can ask your doctor more informed questions.

eta: For those who are unsure, this is a video of a circumcision being done. That means it is graphic and you will see the whole procedure.

YES!!
____________________________________
Poster 2:
Let me just say, not all circumcisions are like that.

But regardless of whether or not he is crying or screaming, why in God's name would you subject a baby to any procedure of that sort? Why do people feel the need to have their son's skin sheerd from his genitals so that he looks more familiar?

http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/ is a website which links you to the official standpoint of American, English, Austrailian, Canadian and other Medical Organisations. None of them recomend the procedure.

Humans are perfect the way they are. My son is perfect the way he is born.

YES YES!!!
_____________________________________
Original Poster:
Ok I just watched the video and I am extremely disturbed.

Ooo YEAH!! Be disturbed so you DON'T do it!!!
__________________________________
Poster 3:
I would bet they can feel it. They might not remember the pain when they are older, but yes I would guess they can feel it.

Do get informed before you take the step. It's not one you can go back on.

I'll inform you! I am SWIMMING with info!
______________________________________
Poster 4:
"Ok I just watched the video and I am extremely disturbed. quoting OP"

I agree

ETA: By the sound of that baby's cries, they feel it! I was thinking about having it done when my son was born but decided against it. I'm glad now that I didn't have it done. But that is just my feeling toward it.

YES! Another baby saved!!
_________________________________________
Poster 5:
Jackson slept thru his, so I think it would all depend on what type of anesthetic they use.

DOH! He most likely PASSED out! And most likely was NOT given anesthetic
________________________________
Poster 2 returns:
Quote:
Jackson slept thru his, so I think it would all depend on what type of anesthetic they use./quote


To me it does not matter whether they feel it or not. I find something about jamming a pair of scissors under my baby's foreskin, crushing the foreskin off his penis, and then snipping it off, so that it is permanently removed immoral. It is his penis, not mine.

Disclaimer: I am saying that I find the procedure immoral. Not the people.

Whoo hoo this momma is informed!!
_____________________________________
Poster 6:
I'm going to duck and cover here with my stockpile of emergency supplies.

Ehh, she knows that there is going to be a heated debate
____________________________________
Poster not lucky 7:
Max also slept through his, and had no noticable discomforts right after, or anytime after it was done. we was gone for about a half hour.

it is your decision to make. not anyone elses.

Again he probably passed out. Poor decision, poor boy :(
__________________________________
Poster 8:
i heard that they only numb it or use anesthesia if you specifically ask for it...

as far as i always knew, it's like a shot.. they feel pain for a minute or two and then it's all done... of course it needs care after that and it's a little red and/or tender for a week or so, but i don't think it's any worse than piercing a baby's ears for example...

but i don't have a boy so i can't really speak from personal mother experience.. but if i ever have a boy, i will have it done.. easier to clean and take care of, easier to teach hygiene, most boys do have it done, etc etc...

Oh, So misinformed! Here i come to save the day!
_________________________________
My Post:
http://cirp.org/
http://intact.ca/
http://www.arclaw.org/
http://doctorsopposingcircumcision.org//

A few sites that if you want to research and learn more.

An intact penis is EASY to take care of, as you just clean it like a finger. No need to retract the skin (at that time the skin is attached to the head of the penis anyway) just a swish swish with a wipe, and no fecal material to worry about irritating the head.

Many states are not paying for it through their Medicaid programs any more, as it is considered elective and cosmetic surgery.

200 or more boys die from circumcision, and circ related complications PER YEAR

The AAP no longer reccomends it.

Since circ rates are dropping dramatically, to circ your son will make HIM the different one in the locker room.

Most fathers and sons DON'T check out each others penises, so to look like dad really isn't a reason anymore.

An intact penis has a natural cleansing system, just like vaginas. Douche-ing causes more problems than it solves. Circ causes more problems than it solves.

An erect intact penis looks JUST like an erect cut penis. Cutting a boy's penis just to look "cuter" actually makes it look like an mini erect penis.

Most circ in large hospitals are done by interns, and rarely IF any type of anesthetic is used, is it given time for the numbing effect to take place.

Sex, for both the man and his partner will be more enjoyable. he retains more feelings and can cue in better to when he is about to climax, and can hold off to allow his partner more time. Rarely do intact men have to "bang away hard" at their partners in order to climax.

Intact men have less erectile dysfunction issues, where as cut men are more likely to start having problems earlier in life.

Intact men have bigger penises.

and a list compiled by MEN and women preserve their sons as nature intended them to be:
1. Preserve HIS choice.
2. Avoid unnecessary pain.
3. Not interupting bonding.
4. Avoiding trauma, sleepiness, and pain that could affect breastfeeding.
5. No need for a surcose pacifier=less chance of nipple confusion.
6. Virtually no chance of meatal stenosis.
7. No urine/feces in an open wound.
8. No wound-care. No vasoline. No gauze.
9. No need for giving Tylenol to a newborn.
10. Not circumcising is FREE.
11. No medical reason to do it automatically at birth
12. It's not my penis
13. If HE doesn't like being intact, then HE can change that. You can't undo a circ.
14. Avoid the 71% risk of adhesions that comes with circumcising.
15. No risk of bleeding.
16. No risk of post-op infection.
17. No risk of taking 'too little' or 'too much'.
18. He gets to keep 3-4 feet of blood vessels.
19. He gets to keep 240 feet of nerves.
20. He gets to keep tens of thousands of specialized nerve endings.
21. His penis retains it's 'gliding mechanism'.
22. The foreskin protects his glans throughout life, keeping it soft, supple, and sensitive.
23. No frenulum damage/amputation.
24. No scars on his penis.
25. No skin bridges.
26. Less risk of inconspicuous penis/buried penis, conditions caused/aggravated by circumcision.
27. No risk of reaction/allergic reaction to anesthetics like EMLA or Lidocaine.
28. No wound/entry point for nosocomial infections, like MRSA.
29. No risk of glans/partial glans amputation.
30. (Responding to #1): It shouldn't be a "choice," at all, for anyone. (Just like leaving my daughter intact wasn't a "choice" that I saved for her to make.)
31. No risk of the parents or physician being sued when the boy turns 18y.o.
32. It looks nicer to be intact and, as the circ rate drops, intact men will be in demand as lovers.
33. it enables the man to enjoy the skin of the penis fully (1/3 to 1/2 is removed by circ.)
34. no worry for the parents about the baby dying (200 per yr in the U.S)
35. parents don't need to apologize to their son
36. his future sex partners will thank you
37. he'll save money on lubricants, counselling and restoring equipment.
38. foreskins are sexy
39. his glans will not be skinned alive.
40. you can start a college fund with the money that doesn't go to a circumcisor.
41. Because they were born whole and perfect.
42. No unnecessary rise in cortisol levels, that impact brain development.
43. Avoid having one of baby's first experiences with his genitals be violent/painful/traumatic.
44. Baby avoids the discomfort of being strapped down on a molded, plastic board.
45. No pain from shots in the penis!
46. Medicaid savings.
47. Decrease in private insurance (for those that still cover it) costs, resulting in more savings for the consumer.
48. No discovering hemophilia a day or two after birth because of a circumcision-caused hemorrhage.
49. Promotes gender equality.
50. Reinforces, from the earliest age possible, that we love our children, just as they are.
51. Reinforces children's acceptance of their bodies, and that changing ourselves to fit in/follow the crowd isn't necessarily healthy or wise.
52. Avoid penile bruising.
53. Avoid weepy, healing discharge that can stick to diapers, causing further discomfort.
54. Avoiding an uncomfortable discussion with your son one day, if he asks why his penis isn't like 80% of the world's.
55. Avoiding your son ever needing to go through foreskin restoration.
56. Avoid the risk of needing a circumcision revision because of a botched job

and regarding botched circumcisions, they do happen, A LOT. My Dad, an RN, is helping a couple out that their son has had 2 corrective operations done. They don't know if he will be able to function sexually.

any more questions, feel free to pm me

Lizzardbits

ETA: most babies don't sleep through it, they PASS out from crying so hard. Most health professionals that are trained in circ, or bringing baby back to their parents, are told to tell the parenets that they slept, or that they did fine, or any other way to allieviate parents fear that their baby was HURT.
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Poster 3 returns:
Im always confused by the "most people have it done" argument. Thats true in the US (and its like 60/40 or even closer to 50/50 in some places) and Israel, for ovbiuos reasons. Most the world doesnt do it.

I would advice finding men who have had it done, and not had it done and talk to them about it.

That's some good advice
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Poster 9:
Wow! Shocked That video is extremely disturbing. Before I thought for sure I would have my son(if I ever have one) circumsized, but now I really don't know

Woot another boy saved!
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Poster 10:
That was really scary, but I will still have my sons circumcized for health & cleanliness purposes. My poor babies! I'll probably cry the whole time. But it sounds like that most babies sleep through the process...that'll make me feel better!

Yeah you are right, your POOR babies!
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Poster 11:
"Im always confused by the "most people have it done" argument. Thats true in the US (and its like 60/40 or even closer to 50/50 in some places) and Israel, for ovbiuos reasons. Most the world doesnt do it.

I would advice finding men who have had it done, and not had it done and talk to them about it."

This is a good post.

Definitely find out all you can before taking this step.

"That was really scary, but I will still have my sons circumcized for health & cleanliness purposes. My poor babies! I'll probably cry the whole time. But it sounds like that most babies sleep through the process...that'll make me feel better!"


Washing properly is a better alternative. The hygiene defense just doesn't cut it for me.

Oh God that was an awful awful pun. Sorry.

No living male in our family (both sides) has been circumcised and none have suffered for it. The foreskin is designed to protect the delicate glans from abrasion and infection, kinda akin to an eyelid. It has many other important functions but I do not wish to debate this kind of topic now.

Like some other wise poster I am now ducking for cover in my fall out shelter.

Oh but, stay and fight with me!
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Poster 12:
I doubt very highly babies would sleep through it.

In that video, you can clearly see the baby squirming and kicking its legs -- so much so that the doctor has to pause what he is doing a few times -- imagine if he didn't have such good control, he could have easily mutilated that poor babies penis more.

I'm a nursing student, and thusfar that video is the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. Disgusting.

I guess it's the parents choice, but I know personally I couldn't walk away from that procedure, with my baby in my arms, feeling "guilt-free."

Yes! I am glad that you find it disgusting and i hope that it carries with you until you have kids.
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that's it so far, but i am waiting for the nuclear blast....but so far so good!

what a pain in the neck

i went to the chiropractor today because i couldn't stand the pain. turns out that my pain comes from neck even though i feel it in my neck, shoulders, and radiating down my left arm.

He adjusted me and i felt good for a bit, but now it is damn near impossible to move with out something SCREAMING to me in sharp pain....UGGHH! I think that i'd rather be in labor. At least there is a reprieve from pain in the span between ctx.

yeah, bitch and moan and take yet more ibuprofen....

I don't like pain, it hurts me!

I have a vertebrea or two that are out and are causing extreme pain between my shoulders and on my left side and neck. I usually can crack my own back and pop things back into place but this time it didn't work. I can now TOTALLY sympathize with very large breasted women that have upper back pain. Uhh, it is even hard to take deep breaths. Hopefully a trip to the chiropractor will solve it. I have a job interview tomorrow and i don't want to mess it up.

the job that i am wanting is working with kids at an after school program that is designed especially with kids that have psychological, socio/economic difficulties. Much like my son who has Oppositional Defiance Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He is a success story and i shared a little bit about him to one of the ladies that interviewed me over the phone. I am hoping i have this in the bag. it is part time and with my bi-polar, part-time would be ideal and hopefully not to overwhelming.

Some of my past jobs (working in group homes with mentally disabled adults) sometimes got overwhelming and instead of dealing with it, i would call in sick, or dead, lol. One job that i had for over 2 years, i walked out when i was tired of my supervisor breathing down my neck. Just quit. Poof.

I need this job, not only for money, but mental stability as well and get away from my parents and their nagging. Yes, kids, i am nearly 30 and i live with my parents, but hopefully that will end shortly after my fiance' moves to the states.

time for bed, but wish me luck on both the pain and the job :)