Lorin - I really think the recovery varies from person to person. I really didn't think it was that bad... but, then, I think I was kind of "expecting" to have a caesar simply because my Mum had had 4 of them?? So maybe I was in the right frame of mind?? Maybe my pain threshold is higher? There's sooo many different variables.
One of the girls in my mother's group had an elective caesar with her first as she couldn't get her head around the concept of a vaginal birth - but I think she had a shocking time with recovery.
Have you been to antenatal classes?? Maybe it would be a good idea to talk to a midwife about it all and you may feel a little more at ease about giving a natural birth a shot?? I dunno... I have just heard soooo many different stories about birth (both natural and assisted) and everyone's story is pretty different.