MadB, I could almost have written your post word for word, except I had a vacuum assisted delivery.
I'd had an epidural, so although I felt no pain I could feel the tug of the scalpel on my skin *shudder*.
I was never asked for consent, nor even told that I'd had an episiotomy until 3 days later when I asked the nurse who was cutting my stitches how everything was healing down there, and she said the 2nd degree tearing and the cut were healing well... It's not until right now that I realise how wrongly I had been treated, and how angry I am about it, and am determined not to let it happen ever again

So yes, informed consent is a must. NEVER assume consent in any situation.