Just wondering, what are some people's oppinions when having birth would you rather be cut or let the doctor let you tear. Could you give reasoning. There are lots of people that would go for the cut, and others will go for the tear.. But nobody really gives an explanation...

A tear is very uncontrolled.  You never know if it's going to be first degree or third degree.  You also don't know where the tear is going to occur and in what direction it will go.  (TMI warning) A tear can be jagged and go straight up to your rectum, with the possibility of tearing inside you rectum as well and can possible be very deep.  If you're luck it will go to the side towards you butt cheek where there is lots of fatty tissu that heal much easier.  I don't want to scare anyone but those are the facts.  If the baby gets stuck and the vaginal opening has not been stretched enough the tear can be very traumatic. 

In an episiotmy (cut) it's controlled and a straight incision.  A tear can happen after an episiotomy but will then follow the direction of the episiotmy therefore much safer and much easier to heal from. 

Here's an example you can picture in your head without getting grossed out.         It's easier to tape a piece of paper together or stitch a piece of material together that has been cut with scissors, than one that has been torn.  A small tear in a piece of paper isn't difficult either but if the cut gets out of control how large or jagged will it be.  It's easier to control the scissors to cut the paper.

I'm the kind of person who likes to have the situation controlled...but remember as a patient you always have the right to refuse.  If you would rather try the stretch method with a possible tear make sure you let your practitioner know!