Please come talk to me about C-sections

[Fishpond]

I'd like to hear from mums who have experienced it - if you could be so kind as to rehash any or all of what you remember of the experience, I would really appreciate it!

I'm having a planned C-section due to possibility of a bleeding disorder in the baby + low-lying placenta in a couple of months and don't know anyone personally who's had one, whether planned or emergency.

I'd like to know the process they went through, how long the actual surgery takes, when did you get to hold/see your DC and for how long, how long they take to stitch you back up, and what recovery was like, both in and out of hospital. Did you find it difficult to start breastfeeding?

Am in the USA so there will be some discrepancies with my experience I'm sure, but really would like to hear from you all!

Nice to read happy stories after EMCS though I have to say mine wasn't. Probably due to an awful and long labour with absolutely no pain relief... Pushing for way too long then theatre. DS was in neo for 4 hours afterward but I still felt dreadful when he came back. Was shaking for a long time afterward and to be honest was majorly bed ridden for 3 days in hospital then another 3 at least at home. I'm sure it's due to what I went through in labour rather than just the surgery so probably nothing to go on for you. I was driving after 5 weeks and pushing the pram after 3/4 I think though really slowly.
On the shaving issue: the staff seemed relieved to see that I'd shaven and they were waving a bic around in the background so I am too!

Don't go down with whooping cough immediately afterwards...

Ok thank you for the rough timescales ladies has given me a guide as to what help I'll need to enlist if my elcs goes ahead.