Circumcision
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First Pediatric Care Center
Margaret Lubega, MD
Pediatrician located in Gastonia, NC
If you’re the soon-to-be parent of a baby boy, there is an important medical decision you need to make about circumcision before you leave the hospital. Let your delivery nurse or doctor know that circumcision will be done by Dr. Lubega in her office. Dr. Margaret Lubega at First Pediatric Care Center in Gastonia, North Carolina, has extensive experience in circumcision procedures. She can help you make the right choice for the health of your baby. To learn more about circumcision, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lubega online or by calling the office.
Circumcision Q & A
What is a circumcision?
Baby boys are born with a hood of skin that covers the head of the penis. This skin covering is known as the foreskin, and a circumcision is a minor surgical procedure to remove the foreskin and expose the end of the penis.
More than half of newborn males undergo a circumcision soon after birth. The decision to circumcise a baby is often based on religious or cultural beliefs. Circumcisions are done in the office. However, if you’re unsure which option is best for your baby, Dr. Lubega can offer insight into what’s best for your child’s health.
What are the benefits of circumcision?
There are several health benefits that circumcision offers, such as:
Less risk for infection
Circumcised penises are easier to care for and keep clean, especially in younger children. A benefit of circumcision is a reduction in infections and skin irritation as the result of poor hygiene of the foreskin.
Reduce penile disease risk
Circumcised men may be at reduced risk for conditions like penile cancer. Circumcision may also lessen the risk of contracting some sexually transmitted diseases.
Lower risk of urinary tract infections
Risks for urinary tract infections, especially in babies, are also lower for circumcised males. Uncircumcised males are 10 times as likely to develop urinary tract infections than their circumcised counterparts in their lifetime.
What are the risk for circumcisions?
As with any surgery, the circumcision procedure does carry risks. Complications may include minor bleeding and an increased risk of infection. Dr. Lubega can easily treat both issues safely and effectively.
Many parents worry about the pain of the procedure and its effect on their child. Dr. Lubega offers local anesthetics, including topical creams or injectable medicines, to ensure your baby is comfortable during the procedure.
What happens after a circumcision?
To prevent infection and other issues after a circumcision, you need to properly clean and care for your son’s penis. Daily warm baths using soap and water are best. Baby wipes can irritate skin. If your baby has a dressing on the incision, you should change it with each diaper change.
It can take up to 10 days for the penis to heal. You may notice slight swelling and redness for a few days following surgery. A small amount of blood or tallow discharge is also normal during the first few days.
To discuss your baby’s circumcision options, schedule an appointment online or by phone.
For more information, read more at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
