Info. on circumcision and vaccinations....

[douladot]

I am not sure where to post this, so I chose here. Let me know if it isn't the right place....
I want to include information in my packets to clients regarding circumcision and vaccinations.....I am personally not doing vaccinations anymore and if I had a son, I would not have him circumcized, but I understand that it is a very personal choice. Where can I go to get unbiased, good info on both topics to put in my packet and also good links to put on my website????
Thanks ladies!!

[tlcdoula]

Hmmmm, honestly I don't think I have seen anything that isn't biased one way or another. If someone has some info on this I would love to read it and perhaps add it to my binders as well. So far everything I have seen is one side or the other with very little unbiased info. Of course, there has to be something out there!

[AussieDoula]

The AAP has a circumcision news release.
They also have public education brochures on their new Medem site.
They offer some current information and reports about circumcision, and the AAP is usually a trusted resource.

[tlcdoula]

Only problem with the AAP is that sometimes their information isn't all that it is cracked up to be. Some might find them a trusted source, but I personally do not.

[AussieDoula]

Suppose I should've included the links, LOL! I can't vouch for how biased/unbiased these pages are, but the AAP is usually seen as giving "expert advice" by mainstreamers, so you probably can't go wrong there...

AAP's Circumcision Policy Statement.
Medem's To Circumcise or Not to Circumcise.
AAP's Circumcision Information for Parents.
AAP's Circumcision: Frequently Asked Questions.
ACOG's Newborn Circumcision.
Medem's Penile Adhesion question (scroll down). This is an important one, since many circumcised boys end up with penile adhesions.

Medem's Circumcision page.

Over 50% of newborns who are circumcised have no pain relief.

NoCirc has some great fact-based information (but overall, their purpose is very anti-circumcision and you may find some information biased). I still recommend them though, hehe.

[AussieDoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula Only problem with the AAP is that sometimes their information isn't all that it is cracked up to be. Some might find them a trusted source, but I personally do not.

Ugh, neither do I. However, I think mainstream clients are more apt to listen to something from the AAP than from the NoCirc organisation (I haven't had a circ. mama yet though, they have all already read NoCirc material and decided not to circumcise - I have the NoCirc DVD but I haven't had the heart to watch it yet.. I wonder how a childbirth class would react if I showed it to them?).

[douladot]

Thanks Aussie and Michelle for your info and input. I have saved some material from NoCirc and Medem (like Aussie said - I think mainstream America might like to have that info also), so I am trying to be as unbiased as I can -- although it is hard!!

[MsDoula]

I have to say that any information I give out on either of these topics is definitely biased toward the 'no' side. Mostly I give out circ info and that is very important to me. I don't bother with giving out pro info because I figure that is what is shoved down our throats EVERY day by mainstream US. But, I may be the first (or even only) source of info for reasons to consider NOT doing these things. Just my

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsDoula I have to say that any information I give out on either of these topics is definitely biased toward the 'no' side. Mostly I give out circ info and that is very important to me. I don't bother with giving out pro info because I figure that is what is shoved down our throats EVERY day by mainstream US. But, I may be the first (or even only) source of info for reasons to consider NOT doing these things. Just my

You might be right on that one. Not many doctors give out no circ info and it does seem that we live in a circ world!

[mammamayI]

I often have mamas who hire me SIMPLY because they want to do whatever it takes to have a sucessful breastfeeding relationship. They're the easiest ones to give circ. info about! I DO give the info provided by both the AAP and WHO, as well as the information that mothering magazine has published (I like this, as it's well cited, and they can use the citations to delve further if they wish) and then if they're interested in more information, I give them the no-circ stuff. It rarely goes that far. I have yet, frankly, to give circ. information to a family who has read any of it and decided to circ.

The vax information is a little more complicated, I think. There's tons of info out there...I will, again, often send them to the info put out by mothering magazine, as well as the vax boards on their discussion forums. Yes, granted, this information IS slanted, but again, it is well cited, and thus allows the parents to delve further if they want to.