I had a very good ob, and had an episiotomy for a forceps birth. Honestly? My recovery was no issue whatsoever. I have had no pain from it, it healed well. Sure, there was a little stinging in the first few days when I went to have a wee, but it was all over before I left hospital. I also had a superficial tear. The thing that made me feel horrible and in pain was actually haemmoroids! The joys of me pushing for four hours.

I haven't had a c/s so have had nothing to compare it to, but the episiotomy was no issue for me.