I was always wary of words like 'bonding' the way they're bandied about as if the experience is a universal one. I had an ELCS, and though I had of course read the threads and books and articles about how some people had issues bonding after surgery or had problems BFing etc. I remained quite certain that what would happen to us would be what would happen to us. No harm reading up but I feel it's detrimental to superimpose positive OR negative experiences upon your own....just get there and see. As it was the ELCS was a great experience, I got a quick nuzzle before DH and MW whisked her away to do as they do, I could hear DH talking to the baby/giving me an account. And after, in recovery, she was all mine, curled on my chest, eventually latching. I was fortunate to be in a lovely ward, there was always someone around to advise and assist. We co-slept, well....I mostly watched her while she slept...and thereafter took it one step at a time. We had no problems with BF and my milk came in a few days later.
I've read a lot here on how the delivery, whether a positive or negative experience, effects how you feel about the baby. But I wonder whether how you feel in the lead up, and just generally about having a child etc., trumps that effect. Being uncertain or harbouring much trepidation, one might find that one moment tips the balance. However I, for instance, always wanted a child, desperately. Was older, had struggled with infertility, and was probably damned sure that whatever nightmare that moment may deal, it was but a small step of a few hours on the way to a much wished for dream. I have a history of clinical depression as well, but avoided any hint of PND (though was bracing for it), and the only reason I can come up with in hindsight is the immense positivity I felt about this baby all the way through.
At no point do I wish to suggest it's all the power of positive thinking or to belittle the difficult and sometimes traumatic experiences some women have gone through. I just think in my individual case, my deep desire for a baby made me quite blind to anything other than having her in my arms. I was 'bonded' in a sense much before she came into the world. And I am so fortunate that that happened for me.