I had an elective section in May 2017 after a previous emergency csection in June 2015, the experience was so so different! I agonised over the decision for months because I felt really guilty about not having a vaginal birth the first time, but in the end I'm really glad I decided to do what was right for me and not worry about what other people thought.
Im not sure where you are but I'm in the UK and they scheduled the elective for exactly 39 weeks, I went in for a pre op assessment in the antenatal clinic at our hospital on the Friday and went in for the section on the Monday. They gave me some powder shake things to take before I went in and some antacid type tablets and some shower gel to use and a list of when to use it all, and I had to phone the morning of the csection to double check it was going ahead on time (no emergencies etc). It all went as planned and I got to hospital for about 8am and was put straight into a bed on the maternity ward, there were 2 scheduled for that day and I was told when I arrived that I'd be second, but did end up getting bumped to third as there was an emergency csection that had to go in my allotted theatre.
I got taken through to labour ward at about 1pm and had my little girl at 16.13, but was only waiting around so long as I'd already been taken through when the unplanned section happened. Otherwise I'd imagine there'd be less waiting.
It was all very relaxed, all the key staff - consultant, anaesthetist, midwife, couple of nurses came in to talk to me before hand and explained who they were and what their role would be. I was asked about my preferences - if I knew sex of baby and if not did I want hubby to tell me, if I wanted to be handed baby (if possible) or if I wanted to wait till I was out of theatre, if I wanted to do skin to skin in theatre or in room etc
I walked into theatre myself, sat on the bed and then the anaesthetist did a spinal (I'd had epidural topped up for emergency one), that was a bit uncomfortable - I didn't feel it so much when I was in labour the first time as there was so much going on with contractions, adrenaline etc. It wasn't really painful though, mainly just uncomfortable and some slight pain but I'm scared of needles and my spine is a bit sensitive. The needle itself didn't hurt, it was the pressure he applied with his hands feeling for the correct spot that I found painful lol x
It was all dead chilled out and everyone was chatting and having a bit of a laugh, really relaxed and asked if I wanted music and stuff too. When they started they told me what they were doing and it was all calm and relaxed, they got her cleaned up a lot faster and last time with my son it felt like an eternity before I got to see/hold him but this time they showed her to me straight away and she was barely out of my sight. They put scales on a trolley at the side of me so I got to watch them clean her up and weigh her etc and then they helped me to hold her.
I'd had sickness and nausea after my emergency section and this time they were prepared for it and gave me anti nausea medicine straight away and I felt better for that. With my first I was so tired from labour and the csection that I went almost straight to sleep after he had his first feed but this time I was awake and alert, so much better. Not sure if it's a concern for you but I also Breastfed with no problems, I was worried that I'd struggle and milk wouldn't come in if I didn't go into spontaneous labour first but we had no issues and I'm still breastfeeding at 6m.
Recovery wise... the first time I was in hospital for 5 days on maternity ward and then stayed in hospital an extra 4 days anyway as my son was poorly, when I got home I was still sore and struggling. I remember being in agony in the car going home etc. This time, I only had 2 nights in hospital and they were actually willing to discharge me after 1 but I opted to stay in one more night. I was up and mobile the following day and got a shower etc, which I definitely couldn't have managed first time round. I wasn't on painkillers for as long and I was more able to manage nappy changes and getting up to get her myself without having to buzz someone to pass her to me.
My biggest difficulty was that my son, just about to turn 2, didn't like me being in hospital and was upset that I couldn't carry him for a while when I got home but we both adapted fairly quickly and didn't have any jealousy issues or anything. He was actually very excited to be involved.
Good luck, feel free to message if you want to know anything else x
