I absolutely agree that the c/s rate in Australia is too high and disagree with the "medicalisation" of birthing. For that reason I chose a public hospital midwife care to birth our baby.
During labour, I felt my choices were respected and I was always listened to. I ended up with an emergency c/section under a GA as DD went into serious distress (I had been told from early on that she had some symptoms of distress that they were monitoring but they let me try to birth vaginally as long as they safely could). I have had no real emotional issues around my c/section as I know in my heart, it was completely necessary. I do have an issue around, how you can give informed consent to any type of proceure when you are in serious pain and been sucking on gas so you can't even think anyway (plus my DH had chosen that moment to go out and have a cigarette!).
I want to send big hugs to trinnie, becmc and flea for the awful experiences you have had. If you feel you need help dealing with this, did you know that you can get some sessions with a psychologist funded via Medicare now. I have recently started going, about a different issue and I think it could help you alot.