What are the differences between tearing and being cut?

Size of thecut: Episiotomies are rarely necessary. It is ok to ask that a routine episiotomy not be performed. A spontaneous tear should it occur may be smaller and less painful than an episiotomy.

Not much: Tearing implies a separate of tissues that are being pulled whereas a cut is usually more deliberate.

Control: Tears cannot be controlled whereas an incision can be planned. For example during delivery tears may extend anteriorly to involve the urethra or posteriorly to extend into the rectum whereas a planned episiotomy will control the direction of the incision/wound.