@bulbatron9: I find it extremely upsetting that you feel this way. It may appear you you that your cat “stretches out just fine,” but it does not feel the same way for their bodies. I hope you realize that declawing involves amputation of the first joint in each “finger.” How would you like it if the first joints in all of your fingers and toes were amputated?
People like you need to realize that there are alternatives to this cruel practice of declawing. (Declawing is, in fact, so inhumane that it is illegal almost everywhere except the United States, and even in the US, there are many veterinarians who refuse to perform this procedure, despite the loss in profits.) You have a newborn baby, and of course you do not want your baby scratched, but there are many alternatives to declawing that can prevent scratching, such as Soft Paws. My cat wears them, and they work great! They are basically plastic caps that are glued over each claw to prevent scratching. Using Soft Paws keeps both your cat and your baby/furniture happy.
If you’d take such an extreme measure to declaw your cat to prevent harm to something else without caring about the effect of declawing on your cat, you shouldn’t own a cat.
I am offended that you consider claw-reconstructive surgery to be “the dumbest idea [you] have heard in awhile.” Veterinarians who care about the well-being of animals who have suffered through the tragedy of declaw have worked very hard to design this innovative procedure that allows cats to once again experience the joy of having all the bones and nails they should.