Hi everyone.

Its been a long while since I was on here last, My beautiful son is now 16 months old and thriving! Also I am now pregnant and again and expecting in April 2009.
This time though, I have to have a c-section, as my natural labour didnt go so well last time.
I have a couple of issues about having a c-section that I need to put my mind at ease about.
The first one is I am really terrified about having a spinal, does it hurt? Or just a sting? I am tossed up between having a spinal or a general. My doctor said he would do a general if I really wanted but he prefers not as this has effects on the baby. I agree with him, I dont want to put my baby in harms way, and I really would like to be awake wen my lil one is born. But Im terrified of laying there awake and knowing that they have me sliced open. I know it may sound silly but the thought of that just freaks me out. Can someone who has been through this please tell me what to expect.
Will I be able to feel anything? (I know I wont feel pain as such but anything else?) Also wat is it like to have the spinal does it hurt as much as people say it does? And how long does the whole procedure take? Also is there anything else I should be worried about with having a c-section? Like the effect it will have on my baby?
Mel