Hi Shell,
Most obstetricians would prefer not to use General Anaesthetic when doing a cesarean as the medications are more harmful (not unsafe) to the baby, and therefore when a general anaesthetic is used they really have to get in there and get the baby out ASAP. With a spinal/epidural, they tend to have more time and you get to share the experience a little more so to speak. They will show you your baby as he or she is born and should let you hold him/her on the operating table whilst you are being stitched up. I can imagine the thought of being awake in an operation is scarey and i have been in cesars where women haven't liked the sensations at all, but for the most i would say that women are comfortable. I had one woman describe the sensation to be like someone rummaging through a handbag - but definately not painful.
Read up on all forms of anaesthesia and see if you can have a consultation with an anaesthetist to discuss your options, air you concerns and ask as many questions as you need.