It used to be that well-educated meant well-mannered.
Apparently, not anymore.
And, btw, it could very well be that the doc didn’t know how to sew a natural tear.
Apparently those are harder to sew because they are not a straight line.
Poor doc. (dripping with sarcasm here)

I understand the straight/jagged tear issue.
However, if a doctor performs an episiotomy there is a 100% chance that mom will need stiches, which sucks. If mom is allowed to let nature takes its course (with all that that entails) there is a good chance that she will not tear/need stitches.
I think that many doctors have no idea how to avoid tearing, and therefore resort to an episiotomy.

I can’t believe (actually I can) that this OB was so insensitive and said this comment outloud…and where the patient could hear

At least this mother tore naturally instead of being cut! It’s better to tear than have an episiotomy!

Think of a t-shirt…or maybe a canvas. It’s hard to tear a t-shirt or canvas. But if that t-shirt/canvas has a cut/rip in it, it’s VERY easy to keep tearing it! Episiotomies not only mean you have a 100% chance of stitches(OWW!)…but there is a chance you will continue to tear. AND it makes the chance of tearing in any future deliveries greater . I had an episiotomy with my first (didn’t know any better), and naturally tore a little bit with my second (delivered both times on my back ) My recovery was much better after the delivery that I tore naturally. With my 3rd natural delivery, I didn’t deliver on my back(!!!) and didn’t tear at all. That delivery by far was the best/easiest recovery of all. (my 1st was 8#6ozs, 2nd and 3rd were both 9#3ozs).

Just say NO…to an episiotomy!

Also, natural tears usually don’t require stitches unless it is a bad tear. But OBs will usually stitch up ANY tear even though they tend to heal better/more naturally on their own w/o stitches.