Hi bridee

I had a scheduled c/s due to placenta praevia and for me also it was very disappointing. But when I found out the week before that it was definitely a c/s I focused on how I'd get through and over it as quickly as possible. I also learnt as much as I could from my ob about what would happen and the best way to establish bf after a c/s, it empowered me so that I wasn't just a bystander in the whole procedure.

There are some c/s birth plans around here, I would encourage you to read them and maybe write one yourself. I have a link to my birth story in my signature and it pretty much went according to plan. Being able to see Lucy born was amazing.

I had a fabulous recovery. I made sure I did the exercises to get my legs moving (after the epi) as quickly as possible and was out of bed in the morning (she was born at around 8pm). I think because I didn't have to go thru a long labour first, I was physically doing a lot better than some might. I didn't need the PCA (drip) much at all. I had a slight complication from the epi on days 2 and 3, but no problems from the actual c/s. I just tried to do everything I would normally do (and take care of the baby!), as long as it didn't hurt.

My suggestion would be to get as much information as possible beforehand and see if you can ask for things, like seeing the baby born, holding him/her straight away, bfing as soon as possible, etc. It can still be a positive experience.