My DD latched on almost straight away.
I had a ventose delivery and grade 3 episiotomy. As soon as DD was 'out' I leaned forward and snatched her from the obstetrician that delivered her! They took her from me after a minute to clear her lungs, then they had to stitch me.
DH had skin to skin while they were doing my stitches. I could have held her during this but didn't know how much discomfort I would feel and didn't want to be distracted by any discomfort.
I then had skin to skin. She was like a little bird and i guided her to my nipple and she latched on straight away.
DH read somewhere that partners and husbands (Male) having skin to skin before baby feeds from Mother can help. A healthy calm baby WILL root for a nipple, when they don't find one immediately, the rooting reflex is established, they then root on their mother and latching on is more immediate.
I would suggest you start expressing colostrum by hand if your body begins producing it towards the end of your pregnancy. Try and be relaxed and get into the mindset that your body is designed to feed your baby and it knows what to do.
A difficult birth or a poorly baby can of course make breastfeeding more difficult as it is new for both baby and mum. No-one functions brilliantly if they are unwell, knackard or anxious. (try riding a new bicycle on a narrow path with a serious banging hangover!)
One person's difficult birth is another person's positive experience. So many factors are involved. Being or at least feeling in control is really important in how you will perceive your birth experience.
My advice would be to absorb as much positive information about giving birth,, breast feeding and pregnancy as you possibly can! Your body is about to go through the most awesome changes and do unbelievable things to support a tiny little new life!
You can do it!! Blokes need support too. They can't talk to each other easily, suddenly their wife or partner has a baby stuck to their boob for hours and hours. They will probably have some negative messages about breastfeeding they have absorbed from our stupid culture and with the best will in the world will find it hard at times.
Take your DP to a BF class. There were quite a few couples that went to the one i attended.
To be honest, nothing could have prepared me for breastfeeding other than my own approach to pregnancy and birth. I am from a family of breastfeeding women and in my circle of friends is is what people do so that has helped.
I have felt like giving up and found it difficult at times. Thank god for formula if we need it!
Hopefully you won't unless you choose to use it. I hope you can dispel some of the myths that your DP has about breastfeeding.