soulful, are you having a appointment with the hospital or OB again, before bubs is born? Maybe write out any questions you have about the birth.. With my GA with DS, my DH had to wait (not sure where though) for them to bring DS to him on his way to maternity. He was allowed cuddles, once back in maternity, they took a photo, which was then bought down to me in recovery.
DH was NOT allowed to bathe DS for some reason, yet with my DD 8 yrs before, (different hospital) he was encouraged to be the person who gave her, her first bath. Because of them not allowing DH to bathe DS, he was about 6 hours old before i even held him :( and that was only because DH went and had a few stern words with a midwife or two.
With my DS also, I had the catheter in until the following morning, so there was no getting out of bed till then for me.
As for recovery time, I think it will differ from each person. I was unlucky enough to not have the spinal work with my DD, no reason why? just told that sometimes it happens. I opted for a GA with DS because of this reason. I woke a lot quicker with DS (not sure on times?? may have been around 45 mintues) than I did with my DD..was about 3 hours from her birth to me being taken back to my room.
I like Mara's suggestion of a video camera :) Also you could ask if they could take photo's for you. We were allowed to take a camera in for someone to take pics for us, but that was when it was going to be a spinal. Not sure about a GA.
