I can see discussing it and agreeing that he does not have to leave the head area -- that he doesn't have to see what she doesn't see. It should be enough to be there. I mean, we don't have spouses sitting in on surgeries and stuff, it doesn't seem like, and why do they have that drape over the woman's legs (so that she can't see it as it comes out) if not to shield her view? OK, maybe that's a TV thing and doesn't happen in real life. Maybe women do look on as the doctor widens the episiotomy (episiostomy?). It seems like a very personal decision, since it is pretty blood-ridden and many people are fearful of hospitals etc. Shit, my blood pressure would be way up just being in a hospital at all, and then to watch someone I loved being essentially torn open and in a ton of pain? And I'm completely helpless? And I kinda feel like it's my fault? I would want the least gory view possible. And if I thought I couldn't handle it, I would want the person's best friend or something there instead.
