I had 2 c-sections. The first was an emergency, the 2nd was planned.
With both procedures, I think it is very important to trust your Doctor. Ask any questions you have, and he/she should take the time to thoroughly explain it to you, the procedure for prior/during/and after. You should also take a "tour" of the hospital.
Ask your Doctor if your Husband can be in there with you, and have a video camera... my Hubby, per my Doctor's cue, was able to video my son and daughter coming out.. and being born. It is amazing and a very precious thing to have. RIGHT after my children were about to be taken out and "born" my Doctor told me, held them up so I could see them, they were taken to be cleaned up and examined per normal procedure, they brought my children up to me while I was still on the operating table, so I could see them and they were all wrapped up all snug. My Husband was allowed to cut the umbilical cord too, and the nurse was so kind to video it for us. (oh yah, during the surgery I could talk to my Doctor and he and his team talked to me the whole time telling my what they are doing, how it's coming, and we even was joking around because this is the way my 'nervousness' was allayed. They TOTALLY let me know each inch of the way, how the surgery was going along).
Like Michele S., I also got the "shakes"....but for me it was because I got VERY VERY cold and could not stop shaking during the surgery. But my Doctor said it's normal and it's because of the anesthesia etc. So then, his team put a bunch of blankets on my upper torso and covered me up. This helped. Just be sure that you tell the Doctor and the nurses of any questions you have even during the procedure. Because you "can" talk during the operation.
After the procedure, for me, I was in "recovery" for about an hour, and had the "runs", due to the anesthesia etc. But this is normal. After the recovery period, I was moved to my room.
After that, a couple of hours of letting me rest, my baby was brought to me so I could start nursing. (make SURE you tell your Doctor if this is your preference... and if so, that you want your baby to be brought to you as soon as possible). It is fine.
With my c-sections, my Doctor, who is one of the best in my city, was in and completed with the entire surgery within 40-45 minutes.
I would ask your Doctor, if while closing you up after the operation, if your incision will be "stapled" or sutured. My Doctor ALWAYS sutures... and the nurses said his "work" is a work of art... and that he only very few Doctors sutures the woman closed after. They say that suturing leaves less "scarring" internally afterward...and externally, my incision healed very well and was on the bikini line, and is barely visible now.
AFTER, you will probably stay in the hospital about 3 days.
WHEN YOU GO HOME... make sure someone is there with you, to help you... as you will be recovering from the surgery...they will give you a prescription strength of Tylenol (which is what I had) and this helps the pain. It is VERY VERY necessary... to make sure that you have someone home with you while you recover, care for baby and yourself, and with your other kids. You will NOT be able to go back to your regular activities right away, no heavy lifting etc. OR, since your other kids are older, warn them that you will need their help too, because "Mommy just had major surgery.." A c-section IS MAJOR surgery.
To me, THAT is the best way to recover... to have someone help you at home for the first 2 weeks. My Mom took off work to help me, and my Husband took off the other weeks. So they both took turns.
Also, after the surgery, while you are still in the hospital... once you are ambulatory, they will have you get up and walk around. This is the best way to also help your body recover. BUT, of course, not running a marathon or anything. Just s-l-o-w-l-y and for a short distance.
At first, they will have a catheter and pee-bag on you...then remove that, and then you will (with a nurses help) need to get up to go to the bathroom yourself. Yes it hurts.. .but it is manageable. Don't worry.
For me, what made me have less fear about it is: (1) I completely trusted my Doctor (2) his office and staff fully preps the woman and explains it to her (3) the hospital I was at is very good (4) my Husband and I FULLY planned who will do what once I get home and what will be done so I can recover without being stressed and worry about my other child (6) the "team" that my Doctor has and his self-picked Anesthesiologist is tops. (I had an epidural for numbing my bottom half of my body- then during the procedure I had a "drape" below my torso to curtain off the actual operation, which is normal procedure).
While is was in the hospital recovering (my eldest child was about 4 at the time), me & Hubby ALSO FULLY explained to my daughter about Mommy, why she won't be home right away etc.) AND my Husband took care of my girl in my absence. He even co-slept with her and KEPT to the SAME ROUTINE with her as I would have done if I was home.
It will be fine.... don't be scared. I know this is long winded, but hope it didn't bore you. Just some details about it that I remember and feel is important.
Main thing ALSO.. is make sure your HUBBY is FULLY abreast and informed about c-sections (before and during and after) so that he can best understand it and help you after. This is what I did with my Husband, and he likewise was involved fully as he worried about me too being under a scalpel.
take care, it will be fine. Research it online too, that is what I did.
All the best,
Susan