When to Call a Doctor

Your son's penis will be checked during routine well-baby visits. But it is important to call your doctor if your baby has problems after circumcision.

Call your doctor right away if after circumcision:

• Your baby has a fever.
• You see signs of infection of the penis or around the circumcision site. Signs may include severe swelling and redness; a red streak on the shaft of the penis; or a thick, yellow discharge.
• Your baby bleeds more than the doctor said to expect or has a bloodstained area larger than the size of a quarter on his diaper or on the circumcision site dressing.
• Your baby is very fussy or cranky, has a high-pitched cry, or refuses to eat.
• Your baby has not passed urine within 12 hours after the circumcision was completed.

If a Plastibell device was used for the circumcision, call your doctor if the ring has not fallen off after 10 to 12 days.

Who to See

Doctors who usually perform circumcisions on infants include:

• Pediatricians.
• Obstetricians.
• Family doctors.
• Urologists.
• Surgeons.

A urologist or surgeon normally will do circumcisions on older infants, children, and adults.