Wow Ladies, thanks for all your replies! Certainly food for thought. I was actually quite calm throughout the whole process, except for a moment when I felt them drawing on my tummy and thought I would feel the incision, but it turned out they'd already started. There were also plenty of staff there, I think we counted 8 people in the theatre not counting DH and myself. The strapping and not getting to hold my son were things I thought were part of a normal c-section, until I started reading birth stories to educate myself for my VBAC. In 3 weeks I have a special appointment booked with the birthing centre midwives who are my primary carers for my VBAC, to discuss all the hospital policies and my options, including a repeat c-section if I need it.

Thanks again for your replies!