Looks like I have a few minutes, here is my experience.
As far as the physical aspect of the c-section experience, the recovery is tough, but I think as long as you accept help from others in after care and take it easy it's tolerable. I am stubborn and didn't take any help myself and I paid for it dearly.
I labored for 15 hours, pushed for 3, had vaccum assistance and the baby was stuck. He started to have dips in his heart rate and they immediatly rushed me in for a c-section. The actual c-section was ok. It was afterwards that got to me but more on the emotional side. I felt robbed. Baby was taken from me, showed to me, and then I didnt see him again for another hour. My ex got to hold him first, left with him and gave him his first bath while I was still in surgery so I missed it. My family got to see him before I did.
They came to the conclusion that my pelvis is just to small to birth babies. So I will always need a c-section.
The weeks to come those things that I felt were taken from me started to get to me. I developed a bad case of post partum depression and had a hard time bonding with my son for the next year. I have major guilt for this still to this day. I always loved my son, just never felt I connected and always felt it was becuase of my experience and lack of bonding time I had.
Dont let this scare you if you need a c-section. Just let it be a way of being informed.
I am scared again this time, and have a few request from the doctor so that my surgical birth can be a postive one. I am requesting that if baby is healthy and I am doing well that baby stay with me in surgery. I am requesting that OH and I give her her first bath together. I am requesting that no family or friends see her until I have chance to bond with my baby. These are things that I am talking with my doctor about today. I refuse to have another negative experience, only because now I know what to expect.
It does not have to be a negative experience as long as you are clear with your doctor of your concerns in case an emergency happens. I would definetly make your wishes clear before hand, because sometimes there is no time to tell them, like in my case.