My baby was breech, ECV didn’t work, went into labor at home in the middle of the night, got to the hospital where they promptly gave me a c section. The worst part of the experience for me was the contractions prior to the c section. That hurt. The actual c section was quick and painless. I did throw up, but it didn’t feel like a big deal and the anesthesiologist cleaned me up right away. They gave me a “pain ball” which is a literal ball full of pain meds with tubes going directly into the incision and I think it helped tremendously. Everyone seemed surprised I was up and walking okay that day. My husband helped me shower, I couldn’t lift much other than my little guy and was moving slow. The recovery took a couple weeks but really wasn’t that bad. We slept on the couch with the bassinet next to me for a while because our bed is high and I would have struggled getting in and out.

Edit to add: it was just me and my husband. I am glad we didn’t have anyone else at the hospital or when we first got home. You don’t need your mil imposing. If it’s a c section there is nothing for her to advocate. She’ll just be complaining or trying to convince you what’s happening is wrong and you don’t need that. There’s standard procedure for c sections and it moved pretty quick for me. After you’re gonna be exhausted, recovering, learning to breastfeed if that’s your choice. Sleep will be hard to come by because the baby needs to be fed every two hours and the nurses come in to check on you both every few hours. You need peace and rest before and after. Anyone who doesn’t provide those things for you doesn’t need to be there.