For male circumcision, parents will discuss with their doctor whether they should have the foreskin surgically removed. The foreskin is the outer layer of skin that covers the head of a male’s penis.

Once parents partner with their doctor and decide that they would like to have their child circumcised, it may be performed while they are still in the hospital after birth, or after they leave the hospital. Circumcision should only be performed if the baby is healthy enough to do so. If the baby happens to have a medical condition that is restricting the performance of a circumcision, it may be postponed for a later date.

Circumcision actually only takes a few minutes to be performed. During circumcision, the baby will be placed on a specially designed table. The Authorized Mohel will then follow some simple steps to complete the procedure. These steps typically include:

* Cleaning of the penis and the foreskin
* A medical device that looks like a clamp, is attached to the penis and then the foreskin is removed
* Gauze containing petroleum jelly is placed over the wound to protect and help heal

It is ultimately up to the parents to have their son circumcised. Circumcision is not a procedure that is required by law and because circumcision is an optional procedure, it may not be covered by certain health insurance policies. To find out whether or not circumcision is covered by insurance, your medical health insurance provider or you can talk to your doctor/pediatrician to see if their office is able to find out for you.

There are various health benefits to having a child circumcised. Circumcision actually reduces the number of bacteria that is able to develop and live under the child’s foreskin. This includes the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) or, in adults – sexually transmitted infections (STIs). During their first year of life, studies have shown that infants that are circumcised have less of a risk of developing urinary tract infections opposed to infants that are uncircumcised.