You don't have to consent to an episotomy. Talk to your Ob, tell her you would rather tear then be cut. Look at things you can do to prevent tearing as well, positioning, supporting the perenium etc.
^^ yeah that.

I haven't had an episiotomy, but I have had a CS and a VBAC in which I tore naturally. The recovery from my tear was soooo much better; 2 days of panadol and I was fine & dandy, compared to a couple of weeks for my CS - and that was a 'good' recovery.

Ultimately it is impossible to predict how you will fare with either option. Yes, there are some horror stories around tears and episiotomies, but there are also women who have had quick & easy recoveries from them; and it is the same when it comes to CS.

Yeddi makes a really good point re the other benefits of vaginal birth, for your baby, and what Arcadia says is true as well - it may be too late for CS by the time it comes to it.

Talk to your OB about your options for your birth plan, and go form there. Hopefully she will be able to put your mind at ease and (especailly if her rates of both are low) hopefully you will need neither!