I think it's a great idea to be prepared so well done hun.

Not sure if you are after the technical bits but basically they'll put in a spinal block, lay you down and make sure you're comfy. Then they put on the BP cuff (spinals drop your pressures quite significantly unless you're a 'special' PE pt) and the chest dots to monitor your heart trace. SOmeone will insert a urinary catheter.
When all is good they'll do a couple of tests with a pin ***** and ice to check you can't feel anything and they'll tell you they're going to start.
They'll put up a screen so you can't see and your DH will be seated near your head.
Then they'll do a skin incision, and work their way down (skin, fat, fascia, muscle etc) until they find your uterus. They have a feel of bub to find the head and there, they make a small incision and suck some fluid out (some docs to lots some only a bit). Then they make the incision larger (some cut with scissors some tear) and lift bub out. Usually they'll show you straight away - tell them exactly what YOU want. You will need to specify if you want to have the cord intact for DH to cut or to stop pulsating as many will just cut straight away without a thought of it. While you're in awe of your new creation, they'll take out the placenta and give that a good going over to make sure it's in tact and check it's condition.

I got to cuddle both of mine after they had been suctioned and wrapped. Both of mine had issues out of the womb (mec for both, DD had trouble breathing and DS I had a uterine rupture) but once they were right they couldn't get them to us fast enough. DH held them while I was sewn up. Takes about 45-hour.

Neither could I take to recovery and not in any hossy I have assisted with c-secs have done it either. That is usually because a middy has to be with you and often one can't be spared for that sole purpose, but make sure you ask them and specify that's what you really want. You never know if you don't ask.

For both of mine I've been in recovery a bit longer than average (average is an hour), but me and babies/anaesthetics don't go well together. Bub has had DH by their side until I got back. Weighing etc was done then.

DD I didn't get to BF for a few hours and had heaps of trouble. DS I latched on straight away and he was sensational.

Speak to the aneasthetist in depth if you can before the surgery. Tell him what your tolerance is and what you want to be able to do. I didn't know when I had DD that morphine causes me great issues. With DS I did and could work out with the aneasthetist what was best for me. Not all hospitals offer a PCA (patient controlled analgesia that CQ mentioned) after a c-sec but will give you one if it's needed or asked for.

It is major surgery. All your muscles are cut/torn. Recovery is a big deal, but if you take it as you can, just like labour - small positive steps towards a great outcome, you will be fine. Take the analgesia if it's offered or if you fell you need - ask. Take it slowly. I only needed oral analegesia after the first couple of days and panadol after about day 4 for both. However everyone deals with pain differently and if you need painrelief I can't stress enough that there is no point being a martyr. Some people really find it unbearable for a really long time.

You will stay in hossy about 5-7days depending on the hospital (5public, 7 private).

I sat up within an hour and had skin to skin with DS as soon as I got back (I just got my gear off). With DD I was too unwell. You will have the catheter until at the very earliest you can weight bear and the spinal has worn off completely (usually 4-8hours I think). Some hospitals have an overnight policy. Even so I found it relatively easy to move myself up and down the bed. If the babe was next to the bed I could lift them in and out OK. Obviusly found it a bit difficult to change nappies that first day.

I co-slept with DS straight away. I knew the midwives and they were sympathetic to my choices. I know many hossys are not, so it always pays to sus it out beforehand so you don't get a shock and are angry and upset when you should be happy and recouperating.

Um bleeding for me was just like a heavy period for a fortnight, but that is really dependent on the person.

HTH some.