The Ob who delivered my DD told me there was no room left for babies head and that I needed to be cut. I said no, that I would prefer to tear naturally. I made an educated decision and I'm glad I did because I only required 2 stitches for a tiny tear. A friend of mine was not asked for consent and the Ob was about to cut her, she saw the scissors and told him not to cut her and she ended up with just a graze. It seems to have become fairly routine to cut and quite often unnecessary. I have belly belly to thank for empowering and educating me to be able to make birth choices for myself and my baby. I believe consent needs to be gained not just assumed.