I want to give you advice but don't want to scare you because my experience was in no way typical. I laboured for 30+ hrs then ended up with a EMCS, I think I would have rather gone in with a booked date and not had to go through the whole labour malarkey first. So definite plus point for you, with it being planned, everything will be very calm and relaxed so you should be under no stress.
The procedure is fine. You will get a local anaesthetic in your back so you don't feel the spinal. Pre warning, they may ask you to bend as far forward as possible for the spinal (not particularly easy with a bowling ball attached to your front), but that's probably the most uncomfortable you will be through the whole procedure.
You won't see anything because they put a sheet up. Be prepared for some funny faces from the doctor if LO is a little wedged.
You wont feel any pain, you may however feel some tugging sensation as they take LO out.
Your toes may tingle - this made me laugh as it was all going on (unfortunately the only thing that had made me smile in about 5 hours).
For afterwards, and this is my biggest advice because this is where it went for me. If you tummy feels hard and lumpy a day or so later and you still can't walk much faster than a speeding snail...DO NOT let the midwife tell you you just need to go to the loo and send you home from the hospital. I had an 8 pound 8 baby and only lost 3 pounds?! how does that happen, sometimes you can get a gathering of fluid behind your incision. This is easily remedied with antibiotics and doesn't happen to everyone. But if it does happen, don't suffer in silence. Get someone else to check it. My community midwife couldn't believe they'd sent me home when she saw the state of my stomach. (unfortunately this is something I am still fighting with the hospital).
Please please please do not be worried by my experience! My problems were before and after the surgery. Cesareans are very common, doctors are very used to handling them and the surgery is very effective and in some cases better/safer than delivering naturally. I hope it all goes well for you, easier said than done I know but try not to work yourself up about it, just enjoy the birth of your beautiful baby
