Yeah, I'm going there.

The amount of ignorance I see on a daily basis surrounding the topic of circumcision never ceases to amaze me. Infant circumcision is a highly controversial topic. It would seem that cutting off the organ of an infant would prompt the parent to RESEARCH the procedure before making such a huge decision....yet, 32% of Americans are still choosing to blindly make this choice with little knowledge on the extreme decision they are making. Typically, I ignore the nasty messages I get due to people sharing my most recent research paper, but one I just got was particularly nasty. So, I'm going to write some more :) For every person the sends me a nasty message, I get a message thanking me.

I believe that all parents and would be parents should investigate ALL of the aspects concerning circumcision. That includes the purposes and function of the foreskin. This should be done BEFORE the baby makes its grand entrance into this world. There is a plethora of information available on the topic- as well as medical videos of the procedure itself. 

Think about this- The United States is the ONLY nation that circumcises for cultural reasons. As of 2009, our rates were at 32%. Canada has a rate of 9% and England has a rate of 3%. Most other developed countries maintain a rate of 1-2% (as of January 2008) 

If that isn't enough to make you second guess this procedure chew on this bit of information: NO HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD recommends that this procedure be done. None. Zero. Nil.

Why? Circumcision is a very painful procedure. Imagine being a brand new baby boy who has just entered the world. As a newborn it is very dangerous for you to put under general anesthesia and you can only receive a limited amount of numbing drugs. Many babies go into shock and enter a comatose state so their bodies can cope with the pain. Don't believe me? Try cutting off a part of your genitals only using a numbing cream. Let me know how it feels. 

The tissue removed, a.k.a. the prepuce, is the exact same as a baby girl's clitoral hood. Guess what? It has a purpose and a function that occurs pre and post puberty. In the infant state the prepuce's function is to lubricate, provide natural antibiodies, protect the glans/head and in adulthood it does all of this as well as play a role in intercourse. 

Circumcision removes the skin with the highest concentration of nerve endings of ANY male body part. It constitutes 1/3 of the newborn penis. And it can never be replaced. In a grown adult that skin would equal the same size as an index card. 

Well, now you may say, "but what if he wants it done when he is older?" If a man wishes to be circumcised later in life, he is then able to CHOOSE this for himself, and be fully numbed for the procedure. It would be his choice.

As more and more parents learn about the truth of infant circumcision, it is not surprising that fewer parents are opting for this procedure.

I am closing this blog post with a video. It is a recent circumcision performed at a US hospital with the Gomco WITH anesthesia. For the sake of your future children PLEASE research this practice. Make circumcision end in your family. Stop the cycle. 

Winter Carseat Safety

Even though it's in the 70s here in Central Florida, the cold weather is just around the corner. Every year I see children wearing heavy coats while buckled in their carseats. I can't help but cringe everytime I see it. Wearing a big fluffy coat while in a carseat is a big safety hazard. In an accident the coat compresses leaving your baby/child in a seat that is no longer functioning properly, resulting in injury or even death.


So how do you know if a coat is too big to wear while in a carseat? There is a test that can be done. 

1) Put the winter coat or snowsuit on the child.
2) Put the child in the car seat and buckle the harnesses as you normally would before car travel. 3)Adjust the straps to the appropriate fit for your child. 
4)Take the child out of the car seat without loosening the straps at all. 
5)Take the coat off your child. 
6)Put the child back in the car seat and buckle the harnesses again, but do not tighten the straps.

 If you can fit more than two fingers under the harness at the child's shoulder bone, the coat is too thick and is not safe for use with the car seat.




Here are some good examples of what your carseat straps should and should not look like:  http://www.drmomma.org/2010/02/do-you-use-your-carseat-correctly.html


Now you may be asking yourself "so what can I do to keep my child warm?" Here are some examples:


1) Fleece jackets: Fleece jackets are warm and safe for carseat usage
2) Long/thermal underwear: These can be safely layered under regular clothing and still be safe for the carseat
3) Ponchos: Put a poncho on your child after they have been buckled into the carseat.
4) Blankets: Layer them on after the child is buckled. 


Now, you can still make good use of that big bulky coat. How? Put it on backwards! After the child is buckled into the carseat put the coat on the child backwards. This allows the child to stay warm without compromising his safety. Another bonus is the child can take it off themselves if they start to overheat.




Hope this is helpful! 

Time is Flying

Well, I’ve been home from school for almost a week now. It’s been nice to finally be home, but I kinda miss everyone back at school. It’s weird. I really didn’t think that I would be so excited to go back, yet I am. (shhh don’t tell my mom <3). 

I passed all of my classes. I didn’t exactly get the grades that I wanted, but I WILL do better next semester. It will be much easier now that I have my English classes out of the way. Next semester I’ll be taking Anatomy and Physiology, Bio-Organic Chemistry, New Testament messages, Interpersonal Skills for Nurses, and Intro to the Arts (blech).  That’s three easy classes and two hard. Hopefully it won’t be as stressful of a semester as this past one was.

Christmas is coming up and I can’t help but wonder where the year went. It seems like the year just began, I just turned 18, and I was beginning my last semester at Daytona State College. Now, I’ve received my AA from DSC, I’m about to turn 19, and I’m starting my second semester at Bob Jones University. Time is flying by and a part of me just wants to make it stop while another part wants to fast forward to graduation. Soon enough I’ll be getting married, and then later having my own children. I’ll be a midwife with (hopefully) my own birthing center.  While I’m excited for these days to come, I’m also terrified of what the future holds for me. Will I pass the NCLEX? Will I get into grad school? What if I have issues transferring? What if I fail a class and get bumped into the 5 year program? There are so many “what ifs” and "will I be able to do this" that run through my head. I’ve come to the conclusion that I just have to give my worries to God and do my best.  He will do His part, but I have to do mine.



Oh! One more thing. For those of you who either aren’t on facebook or happened to miss it: I’m going to be a big sister again!  My mom is pregnant with baby #9 and is due near the end of June J

Circumcision: A Complete Rip-Off

Hey, everyone. If you know me well enough, you know that I am very much against routine infant circumcision. If you are on my facebook, you may have seen my research paper on the subject there. My English tutorial instructor has really emphasized that we should post our research papers to any blogs we may have and receive feedback from others. So, here it is :)

Circumcision: A Modern Medical Fraud

Americans are one of the few cultural groups that will make the decision on whether they will electively circumcise their newborn sons. Elective circumcision, also known as non-therapeutic circumcision, is circumcision in which there is no medical necessity. Non-therapeutic infant circumcision is an understandably controversial topic. While proponents of infant circumcision argue that it is acceptable because of cultural acceptance and potential benefits such as a possible decrease in urinary tract infections, opponents argue that these are not warranted reasons for infant circumcision. However, non-therapeutic circumcision of infants, in fact, should not be performed.

One of the many reasons non-therapeutic infant circumcision should not be performed is because it is not medically warranted. In fact, no major pediatric organization in the world recommends elective infant circumcision, and there is no medical reason to do so. The American Association of Pediatrics states in its policy that “while there is scientific evidence to demonstrate the potential medical benefits of circumcision, the data are not sufficient to recommend routine use of the procedure in newborn males” (“Routine” [1]). The Royal Australian College of Pediatrics also says, “The frequency of diseases modifiable by circumcision, the level of protection offered by circumcision and the complication rates of circumcision do not warrant routine infant circumcision” (“Circumcision” 5). Other pediatric medical organizations that do not recommend non-therapeutic circumcision include the Australasian Association of Paediatrics, Canadian Paediatric Society, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand. The pediatric medical organizations listed represent a small number of those who do not recommend non-therapeutic infant circumcision.  Since no pediatric organization recommends non-therapeutic circumcision, it should not be performed. 

 Not only should non-therapeutic circumcision not be performed because it is not medically recommended, but it also should not be performed because the foreskin has a purpose. When a child is born without a foreskin, it is considered a birth defect.  The foreskin is not a mistake and is a part of the human anatomy for a reason. C.J. Cold, of the Health Sciences Centre, defines the foreskin, or prepuce, as a part of both the male and female genitalia that covers both the glans penis and clitoris (34). The male foreskin protects the glans against “urine, feces, and other types of irritation…. It [foreskin] protects against infection and scarring of the urinary opening” (Schmitt [1]).  When the foreskin is removed, the glans and urethral opening become more prone to infection. The greater vulnerability to infection ensues not only due to loss of cover, but also because the foreskin has immunological aspects. One immunological aspect is the protection against viral and bacterial infections through the process of enzyme secretion. According to Dr. Fleiss, the glands of the foreskin produce and secrete an enzyme known as lysozyme, an element of the immune system, which protects against bacteria and viruses ([5]). This role of protection is shattered by circumcision. Non-therapeutic circumcision should not be performed because it destroys the purpose and function of the foreskin.

Infant circumcision may also have undesirable physical and psychological effects. According to Christakis, MD, circumcision complication rates are one out of every 476 circumcisions (248). An estimated 1 in 500,000 boys die from circumcision (Benatar in Fox 164). Possible circumcision complications include, but are not limited to, adhesions, hemorrhage, penile amputation and even death. One out of every fifty circumcised infants will experience serious complications such as “seizure, heart attack, stroke, loss of penis, [or] death” (“Cut” [1]). Along with the aforementioned complications, circumcision has been found to alter the way the brain reacts to painful stimuli.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) confirms and acknowledges that circumcision affects a child’s response to pain. As a surgery, circumcision can be described as ‘“among the most painful performed in neonatal medicine’” (Goldman 93). The AAP also states that it is “noted that circumcised infants exhibit a stronger pain response to subsequent routine immunization than do uncircumcised infants” (American 688). The researchers of the study concerning immunization pain and circumcision concluded that “circumcision may induce long lasting changes in infant pain behavior” (Goldman 94). Circumcision is clearly an excruciatingly painful procedure, and infants should not be forced to endure the procedure unnecessarily. Non-therapeutic circumcision should not be performed on infants because of the complications that ensue and the fact that it increases the infants’ responses to pain.
            Circumcision may also have a psychological, as well as physical, impact. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that there are “behavioral changes” such as increased irritability, “varying sleep patterns,” and changes in “infant-maternal interactions” after circumcision (Task 389).  An example of the negative psychological impact of circumcision is the story of a twin boy that was published in Time magazine. After a circumcision complication that left his penis damaged beyond repair, doctors urged the parents to have the boy undergo reconstructive surgery to make him anatomically correct to a woman, and his parents raised him female. When the boy was older he was given hormone treatments and the procedure was considered a success by the medical community. This case led to doctors’ urging parents to opt for the same procedure when similar incidences occurred. As the boy aged, he knew something was wrong with his body, and as a result became depressed and suicidal. When the boy’s parents realized what was happening psychologically with their son, they told him his story. Reconstructive surgery was then performed once again in an attempt to make him feel like the boy he knew he was. (Gorman [1-3]). This boy’s story is one of many and it could have been avoided. Because of the potential psychological trauma, non-therapeutic circumcision should not be performed.

Incidentally, routine circumcision violates a child’s right to his body. This is due to the fact that female circumcision is already illegal and non-therapeutic circumcision is a cosmetic procedure. Female circumcision was outlawed in 1997, yet male circumcision is still a cultural norm. The Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1995 states, “Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates the whole or any part of the labia mojora or labia minora or clitoris of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both” (United [2]). Both males and females deserve the rights to their bodies. To say that the circumcision of one gender is wrong and the other is culturally acceptable is hypocrisy. According to Schultheiss, circumcision should not be allowed simply because of a cultural tradition and should be addressed ethically (24). The United States of America protects the rights of female children but not the rights of male children. The founder of Attorneys for the Rights of the Child, Steven Svoboda wrote that “American society evidently finds it very difficult to accept the profound importance of protecting the genital integrity of, at minimum, all individuals below the age of consent” (Svoboda in Denniston 189).  Males deserve the same protection as females, and infant circumcision should not be performed unnecessarily.
            Perhaps the most important reason that non-therapeutic circumcision should not be performed is the ethical aspects concerning it. Non-therapeutic circumcision is essentially cosmetic. Infants have the right to not have a cosmetic procedure performed on their body without their consent.  A cosmetic procedure is defined as, “Serving to modify…the appearance of a physical feature” (American [1]). When there is no medical indication for a procedure, and it is simply a body modification, it can be considered cosmetic. Cosmetic procedures are generally performed on adults who choose to alter their own bodies. No doctor would perform a cosmetic rhinoplasty or liposuction on an infant. Christine Schultheiss states in Penn Bioethics Journal; “There does not appear to be any way to justify cosmetic penile surgery if one rejects the ethicality of other types of cosmetic surgery for infants” (22-23).  If every other cosmetic surgery would be considered unethical, so should non-therapeutic infant circumcision. Dr. G.J. Boyle states that “Among other requirements, [doctors] are expected to respect the human rights of their child patients” (Boyle [2]).  Routine infant circumcision violates the male child’s right to his body and should not be electively performed.

Circumcision should not be performed on infants unless there is a medical need. The end of non-therapeutic circumcision is near as fewer parents are opting for this procedure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the circumcision rate has dropped to 32.5% in the United States (Rabin [1]). The drop in statistics is largely due to parents becoming more informed about the potential adverse outcomes of circumcision and the fact that it is not medically necessary.  The imbedding of circumcision in American culture should be pushed aside because circumcision is not just a decision that is being made for the child, but for the man he will become because, of course, once a child is circumcised, he remains circumcised permanently, and the adult man has to live with the consequences of someone else’s decision.

Bibliography

American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision. “Circumcision Policy Statement.”

            Pediatrics 103.3 (1999): 686-88. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Nov. 2011.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4^th ed.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin,                2003. Free Online Dictionary. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.         

Boyle, GJ. “Issues Associated with the Introduction of Circumcision Into a Non-Circumcising

            Society.” Sexually Transmitted Infections 79.5 (2003): 427. Academic OneFile. Web. 17

            Oct. 2011.

Christakis, Dimitri., et al. “A Trade-Off Analysis of Routine Newborn Circumcision.” Pediatrics

            105.1 (2000): 246-52 . Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

“Circumcision of Infant Males.” The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Pediatrics &

            Child Health Division, Sept. 2010. Web.  12 Oct. 2011.

Cold, C.J., J.R. Taylor. “The Prepuce.” British Journal of Urology 83.Suppl.1 (1999): 34-44.

            Academic Search Complete. Web.  18 Oct. 2011.

“Cut vs. Intact Outcome Statistics.” Peaceful Parenting. N.p., 20 Jan. 2010. Web 18 Oct. 2011.

Denniston, G.C., et al. Bodily Integrity and the Politics of Circumcision. New York: Springer,      

            2006. Springer Link. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Fleiss, Paul. “The Case Against Circumcision.” Mothering: The Magazine of Natural Family

            Living 1997: 36-45. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.

Fox, Marie, and Michael Thomson. “Short Changed? The Law and Ethics of Male Circumcision.”

            The International Journal of Children’s Rights 13 (2005): 161-81. Academic Search

            Complete. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Goldman, R. “The Psychological Impact of Circumcision.” British Journal of Urology

            International 83:suppl.1 (1999): 93-110. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Gorman, Christine. “A Boy Without a Penis.”Time Mar. 1997:83. Academic Search Complete.

            Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Jefferson, Thomas. “Circumcision.” Children’s Health. 1999 ed. Print.

Rabin, Roni. “ Steep Drop Seen in Circumcision in U.S..”New York Times.  New York Times, 16 Aug. 2010. Web.  17 Oct. 2011.

“Routine Circumcision Not Warranted.” Urology Times Apr. 1999: n.pag. Academic Search

            Complete.  Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Schmitt, B.D. “Circumcision: Pros and Cons.” RelayClinical Education 2011.2 (2011): n.pag.

            Health & Wellness Resource Center. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

 Schulthiess, Christine. “The Ethics of Non-Therapeutic Neonatal Male Circumcision.” Penn

            Bioethics Journal  6.2 (2010):21-24. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Task Force on Circumcision. “Report of the Task Force on Circumcision.” Pediatrics 83.2

            (1989): 388. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.

United States. Cong. House of Representatives. Federal Prohibition of Female Genital

            Mutilation Act of 1995. 104^th Cong., 1^st sess. Washington GPO, 1995. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.

16 DAYS!!

16 more days of this semester and I get to go home for almost a whole MONTH!! WOOT! While I sure enjoyed my Thanksgiving break at home, it wasn't nearly long enough for my liking. These next two weeks will consist of finals. Blech :P   Your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated! Especially for my English class! One wrong move and I might fail :(

Today in my chemistry lab we did a practice run for my final. Had today been the real deal, I would have received a 100! I'm hoping that I do just as well next week when I won't have all the formulas and equations in front of me.

My awesome roommate, Amanda, decorated the dorm room today. It looks like Christmas in here with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. It still smells like fall with the pumpkin spice incense, though.

Can I just say that I'm actually kinda excited to be back in the dorms though? I've made so many awesome friends here and and I missed my roomies!

FYI: Christmas music is awesome. Especially when it is Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas music.

Well, I guess that is all I have to ramble about for now. Another blog post from yours truly will come soon!

XOXO

Who am I?

I am Christianna Streeter. My friends call me Chrissy. I am 18 years old, a nursing student at Bob Jones University and an avid researcher. I love to learn about everything and anything. I am passionate about many things including, but not limited to: birth, breastfeeding. ending RIC, my God, vaccine education, and many other things. I am the oldest of eight (yes, you read that number correctly) children. My family is my world. They have made me the person I am today. So, if you don't like me, take it up with them ;)

In my free time I love to research, crochet, read, spend time with my boyfriend, and SLEEP! I'm a college student who is lacking in that area, haha.

I am currently working on my B.S. in nursing and later, I want to obtain my masters degree in midwifery. I believe that every woman deserves the birth that would be best suited to her and her child's needs. Whether that be at a hospital, birthing center, or home, that matters not. Giving every woman the dignity they deserve in birth is what I want. I want to bring birth back to where it was meant to be. Women were made to birth. Yes, occasionally interventions are needed and praise the Lord that we have the medical knowledge to perform these interventions. When these interventions are overused, we have issues such as higher maternal/fetal death and c-sections.

This blog will be used for many things. I want to keep those who care to know updated with my life. I want to post my research. I want to just vent occasionally. Blogging will allow me to do this without having to worry about people complaining. If you don't want to hear..err...read...what I have to say, don't look. I would love feedback on what I post, just try to keep it civil please.