I had a ventouse without an episiotomy. But then I had another one with because DS was posterior. TBH, the ventouse was quite easy and fairly pain-free for me. Trying to turn DS was NOT easy or pain-free LOL. I'd go for... actually, I'd go for kicking the Obs in the head before letting them anywhere near me, but ventouse would be my option I guess if I didn't have the machine-gun to hand.

As for "don't let them"... that implies you have a choice which cannot be overridden because someone else says so. I very much hope no-one overrides your choice, Inertia, but having the plan is a GOOD thing because at least that has more of a chance of being the first option someone decides to try, telling you about it when it's almost done, if not a few hours later.